Ob and In:
1. v.7-8 repeated words: building high place
(BDB) Solomon built במות (platforms or chaples) to Chemosh and Milkom on the Mt. of Evil Counsel opposite Jerusalem 1 K 11:7: Jeroboam made temples on the ancient high places of Dan and Bethel 1 K 12:31, 32; 2 Ch 11:15; they are called במות און Ho 10:8, במות ישׂחק Am 7:9: the kings of Israel built במות and בתי הבמות in all their cities 2 K 17:9, and the people worshipped there 2 K 17:11; these were also used by the mixed population after the exile of Israel 2 K 17:29, 32(): these various idolatrous high places were first destroyed by Josiah 1 K 13:2, 32, 33 2 K 23:5–20 2 Ch 34:3. The worship of Yahweh on high places continued in Judah until the exile 1 K 22:44 2 K 15:35; the sanctity code predicts that Yahweh will destroy them Lv 26:30; they were regarded as the reason for the rejection of Shiloh ψ 78:58. The complier of Kings, writing from the point of view of the Deut. code, complains רַק הַבָּמוֹת לֹא סָרוּ 2 K 12:4; 14:4; 15:4, 35 cf. 2 Ch 15:17; 20:33, and praises the few pious kings who destroyed them.
(BKC) Solomon did not abandon Yahweh but he worshiped other gods as well. His heart was not fully devoted to the LORD; he compromised his affections
2. v.9-13 Why Solomon shifting his allegiance to God made God angry:
(EBC) Solomon’s sin was all the greater because of the special privileges he had enjoyed
a. the God of Israel, who had appeared to him on two occasions v.9
b. and had warned him about this very thing v.10
1 Kings 3:10-14
10 The Lord was pleased that Solomon made this request. 11 God said to him, “Because you asked for the ability to make wise judicial decisions, and not for long life, or riches, or vengeance on your enemies, 12 I grant your request, and give you a wise and discerning mind superior to that of anyone who has preceded or will succeed you. 13 Furthermore, I am giving you what you did not request—riches and honor so that you will be the greatest king of your generation. 14 If you follow my instructions by obeying my rules and regulations, just as your father David did, then I will grant you long life.”
1 Kings 9:2-9
2 the LORD appeared to Solomon a second time, in the same way he had appeared to him at Gibeon. 3 The LORD said to him, “I have answered your prayer and your request for help that you made to me. I have consecrated this temple you built by making it my permanent home; I will be constantly present there. 4 You must serve me with integrity and sincerity, just as your father David did. Do everything I commanded and obey my rules and regulations. 5 Then I will allow your dynasty to rule over Israel permanently, just as I promised your father David, ‘You will not fail to have a successor on the throne of Israel.’
6 “But if you or your sons ever turn away from me, fail to obey the regulations and rules I instructed you to keep, and decide to serve and worship other gods, 7 then I will remove Israel from the land I have given them, I will abandon this temple I have consecrated with my presence, and Israel will be mocked and ridiculed among all the nations. 8 This temple will become a heap of ruins; everyone who passes by it will be shocked and will hiss out their scorn, saying, ‘Why did the LORD do this to this land and this temple?’ 9 Others will then answer, ‘Because they abandoned the LORD their God, who led their ancestors out of Egypt. They embraced other gods whom they worshiped and served. That is why the LORD has brought all this disaster down on them.’ ”
c. (EBC) ...special privilege that was Solomon’s was his relationship to David and the covenant God had made with him. He had not earned it; he was born into it.v.12-13
Solomon threw aside all these privileges when he followed after idols. He frittered away the continued joy and fellowship with God that could have been his for life.
Summary and reflection: Not only did Solomon worship idols, but he built high places for them. That became a deadly influence he had to Israel. All the bible mentioned regarding the bad kings in Judah and all the kings in Israel was about this very thing. How big a mistake Solomon had done. No wonder God was so angry to him.
Also, with his privileges God had given him, Solomon sinned with no reason. God had shown revealed Himself to Solomon, given him wisdom, riches, honor, power, His present in the temple. Solomon was born into the covenant God had made with his father. God had warned about this very thing, but he still chose to disobey. Am I like Solomon? I sinned and turn my back to Him with no reason? God had given me His bible, give me the HS to guide me, in His sovereignty He granted me the riches, honor, and power, and He lives inside of me. Through J I have a permanent relationship with Him. God also warned me in the Bible. What is my odd to sin?
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