What did Solomon's pagan wives and altars lead to?
Solomon's 900 pagan wives and the altars he set up all over Israel set the stage for the fall and demise of God's covenant people. Even though he started as a godly king, this spiritual compromise paved the way for Israel's decline, and after his death his son Rehoboam became heir to the throne.
Les explains that even though Solomon started out as a godly king, he ended up with 900 pagan wives and set up altars all over Israel. This was setting the stage again for the fall and the demise of God's covenant people. After Solomon died, his son Rehoboam became heir apparent to the throne. The elders of Israel told Rehoboam that his father had built a great and glorious kingdom, but at the expense of the ordinary taxpayer. Les also draws a parallel to modern times, noting that tax increases often lead to even greater government spending.