Was Solomon a true believer who "lost his salvation"?
First Kings 11 records the tragic account of Solomon’s doing great evil against the Lord late in his life:
1 Kings 11:1 But king Solomon loved many strange women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, and Hittites; 2 Of the nations concerning which the LORD said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall not go in to them, neither shall they come in unto you: for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods: Solomon clave unto these in love. 3 And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines: and his wives turned away his heart.
4 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. 5 For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites. 6 And Solomon did evil in the sight of the LORD, and went not fully after the LORD, as did David his father. 7 Then did Solomon build an high place for Chemosh, the abomination of Moab, in the hill that is before Jerusalem, and for Molech, the abomination of the children of Ammon. 8 And likewise did he for all his strange wives, which burnt incense and sacrificed unto their gods.
Based on this passage, many think that Solomon turned completely away from God and went to hell after he died. Given what other passages reveal about Solomon, was he a true believer who “lost his salvation”?
Poll Results
Was Solomon a true believer who “lost his salvation”?
Yes, Solomon was a true believer who lost his salvation. He is in hell today. Votes: 3
Yes, Solomon was a true believer, but he did not lose his salvation. He is in heaven today. Votes: 7
No, Solomon never was a true believer. He did not lose his salvation. He is in hell today. Votes: 0
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This question is far from being just an academic question. If Solomon was a true believer who lost his salvation and is in hell today, who is to say that the same thing could not happen to any of us who believe that we are true believers?
eternal security or perseverance of the saints (depending upon your perspective). No need to repeat it here.
[Mark_Smith]If you are familiar with any who have discussed this subject in detail concerning specifically the case of Solomon, what position do they take about his being a believer or not?eternal security or perseverance of the saints (depending upon your perspective). No need to repeat it here.
Are you claiming an unbeliever wrote a book of the Bible and large portions of another?
[Mark_Smith]Not at all. I have no doubt that he was a true believer who is in heaven now.Are you claiming an unbeliever wrote a book of the Bible and large portions of another?
[Mark_Smith]Most believers, perhaps even the vast majority of believers, hold that Solomon wrote both Ecclesiastes and the Song of Solomon. Which one do you believe that Solomon wrote and why do you believe that he did not write the other one?Are you claiming an unbeliever wrote a book of the Bible and large portions of another?
Discussion