Compromised Calling

Published April 10, 2026

1 Kings 11-18

Friday, April 10, 2026 l Kelley Bachtel

Growing up we used phrases to describe all things in life such as, “He could sell ice cubes to an Eskimo.” This referred to a person who could convince someone to purchase something they didn’t really need. As I picture the twenty towns King Hiram purchased, I can’t help but think he was the Eskimo. Solomon must have been a very convincing man to sell subpar land that would be called Cabul a.k.a. “good for nothing.”

Upon further glance this land was the very land the Lord had given Israel. Solomon in a very schematic way sells it! It was this subtle passage that led me to see the many ways Solomon compromised God’s established plan.

Solomon imposes forced labor on the people the Lord instructed him to drive out of the land. He accumulated wealth for himself. Moreover, he marries Pharoah’s daughter and many other foreign women after the Lord warned him they would turn his heart away.

Where is the wisdom?

Solomon requested wisdom and God granted his request yet, here we see him lacking. He received warning from the Lord to walk with a heart of integrity and to do what the Lord had commanded him.

His pursuit of himself led his heart to wander.

This is very similar to our own walk. When we don’t seek him first, we begin to stray from His commands. Our desires lead us astray, but the beautiful thing is that the Lord desires us to walk with him. Are you pursuing your own desires? Turn to the one who is merciful and faithful. He will meet you with His wisdom.

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