A Terrible Legacy

He had 700 wives of royal birth and 300 concubines. And in fact, they did turn his heart away from the Lord. [1 Kings 11.3]

Solomon simply failed. It was not a matter of him not knowing that having foreign wives was wrong, because he and everyone knew. It was a matter that Solomon chose to have foreign wives regardless of what he knew to be right.

I suppose I could make condescending remarks about Solomon, but what would that accomplish in my own life? I am no better than Solomon when it comes to knowing what is right but choosing the wrong way regardless.

The only course of action in Solomon's situation (as well as my own) is repentance.

The outcome of unconfessed sin is brutal. Just ask Solomon. It is bad enough that sin hurts the one who commits it, but when the curse passes to subsequent generations, it has reached a whole new level of bad. What a terrible legacy to leave.

Father, please forgive me for all my self-centeredness, pride, and rebellion. Forgive me for allowing any known sin into my life - forgive me for jeopardizing  the well-being of future generations!