Twice during Solomon's reign the Lord had appeared to him with words of approval and counsel--in the night vision at Gibeon, when the promise of wisdom, riches, and honor was accompanied by an admonition to remain humble and obedient; and after the dedication of the temple, when once more the Lord exhorted him to faithfulness. Plain were the admonitions, wonderful the promises, given to Solomon; yet of him who in circumstances, in character, and in life seemed abundantly fitted to heed the charge and meet the expectation of Heaven, it is recorded: "He kept not that which the Lord commanded." "His heart was turned from the Lord God of Israel, which had appeared unto him twice, and had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods." I Kings 11:9, 10. And so complete was his apostasy, so hardened his heart in transgression, that his case seemed well-nigh hopeless. 76

Herren havde åbenbaret sig for Salomon to gange for at vejlede ham og give ham sit bifald. Første gang var i det natlige syn i Gibeon, hvor Herren lovede Salomo visdom, rigdom og ære og formanede ham til at være ydmyg og lydig. Anden gang var efter templets indvielse, hvor Herren endnu engang opfordrede Salomo til at være tro. Herren gav Salomo nogle klare og tydelige formaninger og nogle vidunderlige løfter, og dog står der om det menneske, som i alle henseender syntes at have de bedste betingelser for at kunne efterleve opfordringen og opfylde Himmelens forventninger: "Han holdt ikke, hvad Herren havde påbudt ham." Han vendte sit hjerte bort fra Herren, Israels Gud, der dog to gange havde ladet sig til syne for ham og udtrykkelig havde påbudt ham ikke at holde sig til fremmede guder." 1.Kong. 11,9-10. Hans frafald var så fuldstændigt og hans hjerte så forhærdet som følge af hans overtrædelse af Guds vilje, at han syntes at befinde sig i en næsten håbløs stilling.