The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

1 Kings 11:1-6, “Now King Solomon loved many foreign women along with the daughter of Pharaoh: Moabite, Ammonite, Edomite, Sidonian, and Hittite women,
2 from the nations concerning which the LORD had said to the sons of Israel, ‘You shall not associate with them, nor shall they associate with you, for they will surely turn your heart away after their gods.’ Solomon held fast to these in love.
3 He had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines, and his wives turned his heart away.
4 For when Solomon was old, his wives turned his heart away after other gods; and his heart was not wholly devoted to the LORD his God, as the heart of David his father had been.
5 For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians and after Milcom the detestable idol of the Ammonites.
6 Solomon did what was evil in the sight of the LORD, and did not follow the LORD fully, as David his father had done.”

The First and Second Book of Kings were originally but one book, and the author is unknown. First Kings cites the Establishment, Glory, Disruption, and Decline of the Kingdom. David is aged and ill, yet he sees to the anointing of Solomon as his successor. For a while, the Kingdom is united and splendorous. Subsequently, however, Solomon dies and the kingdom suffers disruption and decline.

Decline continues in the Second Book. The LORD is ignored, despite the powerful ministry of the prophet Elijah. The extended ministry of the prophet Elisha, also witnessed the continued derision of the LORD. Thus, His anger was subsequently poured out upon both Israel and Judah, both of which ultimately declined.

All of this should assure us that God loves and desires to prosper His people. Yet, when His Word is ignored, He pours out His wrath upon the people who have ignored His warnings and done evil in His sight. Such is true of individuals and nations alike. As was noted in the Books of First and Second Samuel, man cannot do wrong against the LORD and get by! “Be sure your sin will find you out!”

Somewhere around the turn of the century, Frank C. Huston wrote the song “It Pays To Serve Jesus.” That song would be a commendatory substitute for some of the drivel that passes as music in churches today. For as foreign women turned Solomon’s heart away from the LORD, the jazzy music, scribbled for profit, does nothing to praise the LORD or encourage His people. May God awaken His people as they draw closer to His Rapturous call!

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom