For a time God in His compassionate mercy overruled this terrible mistake; and the king, by a wise course, could 54 have checked at least in a large measure the evil forces that his imprudence had set in operation. But Solomon had begun to lose sight of the Source of his power and glory. As inclination gained the ascendancy over reason, self-confidence increased, and he sought to carry out the Lord's purpose in his own way. He reasoned that political and commercial alliances with the surrounding nations would bring these nations to a knowledge of the true God; and he entered into unholy alliance with nation after nation. Often these alliances were sealed by marriages with heathen princesses. The commands of Jehovah were set aside for the customs of surrounding peoples.

I sin store nåde forhindrede Gud for en tid, at denne frygtelige fejltagelse fik alvorlige følger, og hvis kongen havde båret sig klogt ad, kunne han for en stor del have dæmmet op for de onde kræfter, som var sluppet løs på grund af hans ukloge handlemåde. Men Salomo var begyndt at glemme ham, som var kilden til hans magt og herlighed. Efterhånden som indskydelserne tog magten over fornuften, voksede selvtilliden, og han forsøgte at gøre Guds vilje på sin egen facon. Han troede, at nabofolkene ville lære den sande Gud at kende, hvis han indgik politisk forbund med dem og de afsluttede handelstraktater. Han sluttede derfor pagt med den ene nation efter den anden i strid med Guds hellige bud. Disse pagter blev ofte beseglet ved, at han ind.gik ægteskab med hedenske prinsesser. Han fremhævede nabofolkenes skikke på bekostning af Guds bud.