May 15, 2026 - 1 Kings 11-12

Week 20

• Proverbs 1-2

• Proverbs 3-4

• Proverbs 16-18

• Proverbs 31

• 1 Kings 11-12

First Kings 11 marks a turning point for Solomon and the Kingdom of Israel. At this point in his life, Solomon had 700 wives and 300 concubines who he allowed to practice pagan religions, even constructing places of worship for them. Solomon’s life of excessive wisdom and riches (which were originally gifts from God) led him to compromise his faith and his leadership through disobedience, and the consequences were quick and devastating. God judged Solomon by dividing the kingdom of Israel in two. Tensions had been growing among the tribes, and only the grace of God held the kingdom together. Now that it was no more, the kingdom of God’s people divided into two. Although Solomon was a wise and godly ruler for much of his life, the end of his reign is yet another reminder of our need for a true and better King, which we have in Jesus. We are also reminded through this story of God’s faithfulness to His people—God did not turn His back on either of the kingdoms, and the story of His faithfulness and pursuit of His people continued on toward completion.

Spiritual compromise is something against which we must always be on guard. What is one area of weakness that often leads you astray and hurts your relationship with God? Spend time today in prayer, asking for His strength to stand on guard against that temptation.