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Solomon’s Sins
Some wonder about whether King Solomon would be saved or not because the Bible records that he married 700 wives and 300 concubines (I Kings 11:3). And these pagan women turned his heart away from the true God to the worship idols at some points in his life.
We read in 1 Kings chapter 11, “For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the Lord his God, as was the heart of David his father. For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites. And Solomon did evil in the sight of the Lord, and went not fully after the Lord, as did David his father.”
“Then did Solomon build an high place for Chemosh, the abomination of Moab, in the hill that is before Jerusalem, and for Molech, the abomination of the children of Ammon. And likewise did he for all his strange wives, which burnt incense and sacrificed unto their gods. And the Lord was angry with Solomon, because his heart was turned from the Lord God of Israel, which had appeared unto him twice” (1 Kings 11: 7-9).
Will King Solomon Be Saved?
The Lord told Solomon that because of his sins, a large part of the kingdom would be taken from the line of David (1 Kings 11: 11-13). But because there is no direct verse that says that this king repented, people doubted his salvation. The Bible gives us an indirect positive answer to the above question as seen in the following points:
He had a strong relationship with the Lord in his early life.
The Bible tells us that Solomon had a strong relationship with the Lord in his early life. In fact, we are told that “Solomon loved the Lord” (I Kings 3:3). And God appeared to him at Gibeon (verses 5-14). So, the Solomon asked Him for wisdom to rule His people. And Solomon “came to Jerusalem, and stood before the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and offered up burnt offerings, and offered peace offerings” (verse 15).
In response to his selfless prayer, the Lord granted him wisdom beyond that which anyone else had (I Kings 4:29-34). His wisdom brought great prosperity to Israel. And leaders of all nations came to hear his wisdom (verses 23-34). He wrote the books: Proverbs, Song of Solomon and Ecclesiastes.
He built God’s temple.
When David first planned to build a house for the Lord, God sent him a message through Nathan the prophet. This message instructed him that his plans should be undertaken by his son Solomon instead (1 Chronicles 17:1–15; I Kings 5:5). And God’s covenant and blessings to David were also extended to his son (II Samuel 7:12-15).
He Repented at the end of his life.
Although this king strayed from the right path during his life, the Scriptures indicate that he repented towards the end of his life. After having experienced many pleasures, great riches, prestige, and everything that a king could desire, he surrendered to God fully. And he wrote: “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity” (Ecclesiastes 1:1).
He declared that the world in its sum, including all life, is but a vapor that quickly vanishes and gives no promise of hope. And he stressed the futility and unsatisfactory end of all human life unless it be focused on God. He added, that anything man may seek in place of God and obedience to Him is “vanity.” Thus, he echoed the words of Jesus, “What shall a man be profited, if he should gain the whole world, and should lose his soul?” (Mark 8:36).
Finally, the king summed all of his wisdom in these words: “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil” (Ecclesiastes 12:8-10, 13-14).
Conclusion
The wise king taught that the recognition of God and obedience to His wise requirements are the supreme objective of life. And he concluded that in so doing, humans will find supreme happiness. All this clearly indicate that this king repented at the end of his life and was forgiven by God. Therefore, it is safe to say that he will certainly be among the saved.
In His service,
BibleAsk Team
