What does Ellen White write about...
Adventistische Schriften über: "Why did Solomon marry the pagan women at all?"
Answer
Solomon married pagan women primarily out of a desire for political power and to increase the safety and splendor of Israel through alliances with surrounding nations. He also flattered himself with the false hope that his own influence and wisdom could convert these women and their peoples to the true God, instead of obeying God's law. Ultimately, his willfulness triumphed over reason, as he tried to accomplish God's purposes through human strategies and unholy alliances.
Political Ambition and National Greatness
»Yet Solomon did not progress in pure and true life from strength to strength. His ambition was to surpass other nations in splendor. To achieve this, he allied himself through marriages with pagan nations, and instead of remaining loyal to the true and living God, he allowed his wives to draw him away from God. To please them, he built altars where they could worship their idols. Thus the leaven of idolatry mixed with Solomon's religious principles. Weed was sown among the wheat.«
Self-Overestimation and the Hope of Conversion
»Solomon flattered himself, believing that his wisdom and the power of his example would lead his wives from idolatry to worship of the true God, and also that the alliances thus formed would bring the surrounding nations into a close relationship with Israel. Vain hope! Solomon's error in seeing himself as strong enough to resist the influence of pagan companions was fatal. And the deception that let him hope that, despite his own disregard for God's law, others could be moved to honor and obey his holy precepts was also fatal.«
Economic Interests and Political Alliances
»He argued that political and commercial alliances with the surrounding nations would lead those nations to a recognition of the true God; and he entered one unholy alliance after another. Often these alliances were sealed by marriages to pagan princesses. Jehovah's commandments were set aside for the customs of the surrounding peoples.«
Securing Relations with Egypt
»In his effort to strengthen his relations with the powerful kingdom to the south of Israel, Solomon ventured onto forbidden ground. ... That the enemy succeeded in this effort we know from the report: “And Solomon took a wife of the Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, and took the daughter of the Pharaoh and brought her into the city of David.”«
Self-Glorification and Loss of Integrity
»The desire for political power and self-exaltation led to alliances with pagan nations. The silver of Tarshish and the gold of Ophir were obtained by sacrificing integrity and betraying holy trusts. Dealing with idolaters and marrying pagan women corrupted his faith.«
- Solomon political alliances
- Solomon daughter of the Pharaoh
- Solomon apostasy from faith causes
Original Sources (English)
Stephan Krol
Founder of EGW Vision
Why I built EGW Vision
Hello, I am Stephan Krol. I started this Ellen White website to make the writings of Ellen G. White and the Adventist pioneers easier to access for everyone.
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