"The Destruction of PRIDE"

Solomon had it all and yet he ended up turning away fro the LORD. And it seems right when he became the richest king in the World, his pride took control of his life. Pride became his downfall. All the wisdom he had could not keep him from becoming proud. What would have happened if, when the Queen of Sheba came, Solomon had praised the LORD? The Queen praised God with her own mouth ~ 2 Chron 9:8. Yet we don't see Solomon praising the LORD. What would have happened if Solomon, when he heard of how he was praised in distant lands, would have proclaimed that the LORD had done it all? Pride took over! Pride became his destruction! It destroyed his family! It rent his kingdom! And in the end it lead to Israel's destruction. And yet it could have been so different. Solomon started out as a humble man, unsure of how he could run a kingdom. God told him to ask whatever he wanted and God would give it to him. Solomon asked humbly for Wisdom. God in His goodness gave Solomon not only wisdom but also riches and honour. Solomon could have been known for the rest of his life as the humble king ... but instead he was known as the richest king in the world. Can you picture Solomon the Wise being humble before the LORD and the people. Would he have said "don't think my wisdom comes from me, but understand it comes from God and is only because of Him, I am what I am." He might have had that attitude in the beginning of his life. But he changed. The Word of God says "For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father." 1 Kings 11:4. PRIDE WILL CAUSE YOUR DESTRUCTION AND WILL CAUSE THE DESTRUCTION OF THOSE AROUND YOU!