Introduction:

1. Given the choice of learning from our own mistakes or the mistakes of others, learning from the mistakes of others is far less painful.

2. Solomon’s life is a powerful case study in the divergent results of ordering life around worldly pursuits versus heavenly pursuits.

Discussion:

I. His Rapid Ascent

A. Solomon’s blank check from God (1 Kings 3:5)

1. Solomon was humble (vv. 7-8; James 4:6, 10; Proverbs 3:34).

2. He trusted God because of His faithfulness to David (vs. 6).

3. So, he asked only for wisdom to lead God’s people (vs. 9).

B. For his humility, God far exceeded his request (1 King 3:10-14; 4:29-34; 1 Chronicles 22:6-13; 2 Chronicles 7:11-12; 9:13-28).

II. His Rapid Decline

A. Solomon had an unhealthy affinity for women (1 Kings 11:1-3).

1. Israel’s kings were not to multiply wives to themselves (Deuteronomy 17:17).

2. God especially warned against pagan intermarriage (Deuteronomy 7:1-5).

3. As warned, these pagan wives drew Solomon away from God leading to the division of the kingdom (1 Kings 11:4-11).

B. Solomon’s days were filled with trouble after this as God punished him with adversity for his faithlessness (1 Kings 11:9-26).

III. Warnings and Comforts

A. Warning: it is not enough to start strong (Romans 11:20; 1 Corinthians 10:12).

B. Comfort: God is faithful in spite of us (2 Timothy 2:13; 1 Kings 11:12-13).

C. Warning: lasting fulfillment is not in worldly pursuits: (Ecclesiastes 1:2, 12:8)

1. Not in man’s wisdom (Ecclesiastes 1:12-14, 17-18)

2. Not in pleasure (Ecclesiastes 2:1)

3. Not in our accomplishments (Ecclesiastes 2:4, 11)

D. Comfort: no matter how far we wander, we can come home (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14).

E. Warning: the scars of past sins may linger even after restoration.

F. Comfort: these cannot follow us into eternity.

1. Like Solomon, we all are a mixed bag of triumph and failure.

2. Like Solomon, we can seek wisdom, and if we stumble, we can return.

3. As Oswald Avery said, “Whenever you fall, pick up something.”