His heart was undivided. A great responsibility was placed upon his hands, and his mind was set on doing things right. When God appeared to him in a dream and told him to ask for anything his heart desired, he asked God to give him wisdom—wisdom to be a godly leader.
Solomon’s story is one I’ve always found interesting. He went from being an exemplary and wise ruler to being a king who led a life of idolatry and debauchery. All because at some point, he let himself be led astray by the pagan women in his life. And his heart became divided.
The book of Ecclesiastes, more than an existential book, is a wholesome testimony of King Solomon’s life experience and his shifted outlook after “going crazy” and coming to his senses. It’s also an example of what happens when we disregard the first commandment: “Thou shalt have no other gods before me.”
God doesn’t ask to be part of our lives—He asks to be first. Not because He’s controlling, but because He’s loving. He knows that when our hearts get divided, everything else eventually falls apart. Solomon had it all—wisdom, wealth, power—but none of it could sustain him when he stopped worshiping the One who gave it all to him.
And isn’t that still true today?
We may not bow before golden statues, but we sometimes put our careers, relationships, phones, or fears before God. We may still call ourselves Christians, but if we’re honest, our hearts aren’t always undivided.
God wants our full attention—not just on Sundays, not just when we’re in trouble. He wants to be our First Love.
Solomon’s story is a warning, but it’s also a reminder that even after all the mistakes, we can find our way back. We can return to that place of wisdom, surrender, and undivided devotion.
Let’s not wait until everything crumbles to realize who should’ve been first all along.
Is there something in your life right now that’s slowly taking God’s place?
What would it look like to put Him back at the center today?
You shall have no other gods before me- Exodus 20:3
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