How could God allow Solomon to have so many wives when he condemns polygamy? PROBLEM: First Kings 11:3 says Solomon had 700 wives and 300 concubines. And yet the Scriptures repeatedly warn against having multiple wives (Deuteronomy 17:17) and violating the principle of monogamy—one man for one wife... [ Continue Reading ]
In light of David’s sin with Bathsheba, how could this passage say his heart was loyal to the Lord? PROBLEM: When Solomon was old, his wives turned his heart away from the Lord (1 Kings 11:4). This verse contrasts Solomon and David by asserting that Solomon’s heart was not loyal to the Lord his God... [ Continue Reading ]
How could Solomon’s writings be part of the Scripture since 1 Kings 11:6 said Solomon did evil in the sight of the Lord? PROBLEM: Solomon began his reign as a man who loved the Lord (1 Kings 3:3). Later in his life he began to turn away from following the Lord and did that which was evil in God’s s... [ Continue Reading ]