In the Grip
Solomon also made a house for Pharaoh’s daughter whom he had taken. 1 Kings 7:8
Taken – In the middle of several chapters that describe the opulence of Solomon’s building project comes this one sentence comment. We might be tempted to skim over it. After all, it’s not as appealing as the vivid imagery of this enormous palace with all of its artistic construction. But this after-thought is really the focal point of disaster. Yes, it is surrounded by visible signs of blessing and success. From the outside, the house appears sound. Everyone would wish to live in this king’s palace. But there is a problem on the inside – a problem all the more visible if we recognize the Hebrew word that describes Solomon’s relationship to Pharaoh’s daughter.
The verb is laqah. It means, “to get or take.” Since it has a wide range of applications, the exact meaning must be determined from the context. But a look at its other occurrences shows us something we need to understand here. Genesis 12:5 uses this verb to describe seizing an animal. In 1 Samuel, it is used for capturing. In Proverbs, it has the nuance of buying and acquiring. In Isaiah (with a special object), it describes taking vengeance. In Job, it describes the heart being swept away. Now think about Solomon. Pharaoh’s daughter is not simply a marriage of political convenience. This relationship has a lot of possible elements that appear much more aggressive and hostile than we would like to see between a husband and wife. Perhaps Solomon discovers that he cannot resist the temptation to have her. Perhaps his addiction to women is beginning to grow. Certainly he has long forgotten God’s command for household purity. She comes to him, or he takes her, with all her foreign idolatry. Perhaps there is an element to this arrangement that is found in the use of laqah in Ezekiel where the word describes the flashing of a lightning bolt. Solomon is mesmerized. He must have her, regardless of the cost. In the midst of God’s bounty, he takes something for himself. It is a terrible mistake.
Solomon never recovered from his addiction. It grew and grew until its insatiable lust destroyed him. But it started with taking something God did not give.
All good things come from the Father above. That means we are the recipients of His gifts. We are not required to pry them out of His hands. He provides all we need without restraint. But sometimes we find ourselves tempted to take. We decide that we should have what we want. Instead of waiting for the gift, we usurp God’s generosity. It is always a mistake.
Take care – and take an inventory of your own possessions. What has God given? What have you taken? Addiction lies under the surface of those things taken.
