Ryan Conaghan
Dr. Gonzales
BIBL 105-C05
5 March 2015
Essay #2
God calls his people to obedient. In return for obedience, God promises to provide. During the time of Solomon the people of Israel lacked obedience. God as king was no longer good enough. Israel’s lack of obedience caused them to anoint a king that also lacked faith in the Lord. Man is broken and even great leaders have flaws. Israel’s demand for a king ultimately resulted in the division of the kingdom.
During the time of Samuel, the people of Israel desire a king. God had promised to provide for the Israelites and in return God asked for obedience and love. Throughout the Old Testament God always provided for the Israelites yet God’s people regularly rejected him. …show more content…

Solomon appeared to be the next great king of Israel. Solomon asked God to give him wisdom. God’s reward for Solomon’s “covenant obedience included wisdom and prosperity, resulting in international fame (Hindson 180).” Solomon went on to achieve the great task of constructing and dedicating the temple. Later on, Solomon’s covenant disobedient caused him to lose the Lord’s blessing. Solomon’s love for foreign women caused him to participate in the worship of false idols, which was prohibited by God (1 Kings 11:1-2). Solomon began to built altars to these idols that consumed him. God in 1 Kings 11:11-13 said to Solomon, “Since this is your attitude and you have not kept my covenant and my decrees, which I commanded you, I will most certainly tear the kingdom away from you and give it to one of your subordinates. Nevertheless, for the sake of David your father, I will not do it during your lifetime. I will tear it out of the hand of your son. Yet I will not tear the whole kingdom from him, but will give him one tribe for the sake of David my servant and for the sake of Jerusalem, which I have chosen (NIV).” Solomon’s addiction to Idols and foreign women cause the division of Israel after his death.
In the twenty-first century it is easy to judge Israel for their disobedience. These stories of Israel should be a lesson to all of mankind. God is the one true king. Man is tainted with sin therefore