Read 1 Kings 11:1–13. What happened here? How did this happen? What was it about Solomon that made his actions here so bad? How did this apostasy impact worship, faith, and the whole religious system of Israel? Also, and most important, what lessons can we draw for ourselves today from this episode and the whole question of compromise?

Compromise caused a disastrous demise in Solomon's life. All his compromises led to a King with an empty heart. Solomon copromised the following:

1) His Wisdom – Solomon had a great wisdom from God, but he became a wise fool.
2) His Walk – Solomon had a close walk with the Lord, yet he began to walk with other gods.
3) His Wealth – Solomon was blessed with great wealth, yet he began to trust his riches more than trusting God
4) His Worship – 1 Kings 11:5-8, Solom did not fully follow the Lord.
5) His Witness – Solomon was not a good example before an unbelieving world. He was influenced for evil.

Solomon's problem was downright rebellion and not ignorance. Solomon knew better but he did not do better.

What matters is not success and prosperity but God!

Every now and then you hear stories about people who left the Seventh-day Adventist church years ago, severed ties with it completely, and then came back, only to be shocked by some of the changes that they saw in areas such as theology, standards, and worship. Though that might not be bad in every case, it might very well be bad in some. How can we know the difference?

Prayer: Father please help us to not only start the race, but finish it well. Help us not to compromise our faith and love for you, but keep us close to the cross and the Christ who died for us there. In Jesus name Amen.