One thousand women has the flavor of fiction. Even Casanova is only credited with 120. Many believe the size of King Solomon’s harem is posthumous, political spin. But the Bible is true. He had seven hundred wives of royal birth and three hundred concubines . . . (1 Kings 11:3).
Solomon was rich with a well-equipped army, and the local kings needed alliances. The princesses were pawns of expedience, purchasers of peace.
They came with their fathers’ expectations. They would enter Solomon’s court. They would be clothed in fine raiment. They may worship their own gods. You can almost hear the negotiated terms.
Political correctness
Such a household is impossible to conceive. Solomon must have scattered them across Israel in minor palaces, but he did allow their idols. Political correctness is fear of man, and compromise began.
Then came the unexpected: Solomon fell in love! He held fast to them in love . . . and they led him astray (1 Kings 11:2-3). This didn’t happen overnight. As Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods (1 Kings 11:4).
Worse was to follow
Solomon built a high place for Chemosh the detestable god of Moab, and for Molech the detestable god of the Ammonites. He did the same for all his foreign wives (1 Kings 11:7-8). These were the nastiest of the neighboring deities, their worship involving prostitution and child sacrifice.
We must clip the wings of compromise before they grow primaries and fly.