Solomon's repentance was sincere; but the harm that his example of evil-doing had wrought could not be undone. During his apostasy there were in the kingdom men who remained true to their trust, maintaining their purity and loyalty. But many were led astray; and the forces of evil set in operation by the introduction of idolatry and worldly practices could not easily be stayed by the penitent king. 85 His influence for good was greatly weakened. Many hesitated to place full confidence in his leadership. Though the king confessed his sin and wrote out for the benefit of after generations a record of his folly and repentance, he could never hope entirely to destroy the baleful influence of his wrong deeds. Emboldened by his apostasy, many continued to do evil, and evil only. And in the downward course of many of the rulers who followed him may be traced the sad influence of the prostitution of his God-given powers.

Salomons anger var ægte, men der kunne ikke rådes bod på den skade, der var forvoldt ved hans dårlige eksempel. Der fandtes mænd, som bevarede deres troskab og renhed, selv under hans frafald; men der var også mange, der blev ledet på afveje. Det var ikke nogen let opgave for den angrende konge at standse de onde kræfter, som blev sat i bevægelse, da han indførte afgudsdyrkelse og verdslige skikke. Hans evne til at øve en positiv indflydelse var stærkt svækket. Mange tøvede med at vise ham fuld tillid. Skønt kongen bekendte sin synd og gav en skildring af sin dårskab og anger til advarsel for eftertiden, kunne han ikke gøre sig håb om at udslette de onde spor efter sine forkerte handlinger fuldstændig. Mange var blevet forhærdede under kongens frafald og vedblev at gøre det onde og kun det onde. Hans misbrug af sine gudgivne evner var også skyld i, at det gik tilbage for mange af de konger, der fulgte i hans spor.