King Solomon didn’t mean to serve foreign gods. Really. It just happened after he disobeyed God and married . . . ummm . . . 700 wives, many of whom worshipped false gods. Even though Solomon became unfaithful over time, God remains faithful for all time. God was faithful to the promise He made to Solomon’s father David. And God will be faithful to us forever.
For the LORD is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations.
You can ask a parent to help you research this subject more, but the short answer is that women were seen as possessions in Solomon’s day. So, a daughter of a region’s ruler might be given in “marriage” to another king as a way of sealing a treaty or announcing a partnership. Women were also seen as creators of possessions—that is, they were valuable because they could give birth to heirs and because having more children was a sign of more wealth. Historians tell us that Solomon was set on making treaties with many foreign leaders to acquire more wealth and power. Solomon was given many wives in exchange for these agreements.
You probably have no desire to ever have 700 spouses (I hope not!), but what are some things that people like to acquire as signs of wealth or power or importance? Make a list, draw pictures, or make a digital photo collage of these things. Then ask God to help you not get caught up in grabbing after things of this world and instead to focus on growing more like Him.
Lord, thank You for keeping Your promises even when I have been unfaithful. Help me to remember what is important in Your eyes. Amen.