I faltered in doing my daily stretching this past week four days in a row.
Along with this, I spent those four days toting around a heavy backpack while at a conference for my work.
When I resumed my stretching routine on the fifth day, my body was extremely tight and less flexible.
I also suffer from DOMS: delayed onset muscle soreness. This is one of the primary reasons I practice a daily stretching routine.
Thus, the consequences of my faltering yielded a cranky low back and stiff joints throughout my body on the sixth day.
I know better, and yet, I still faltered.
But this is a Bible study blog, not a fitness blog.
Still, the example above reveals that there are consequences when we falter in our daily habits.
The study below reveals the consequences of when we falter in our worship.
Why Do We Falter in Our Worship?
A Study of 1 Kings 11:1-8
Merriam-Webster.com defines the intransitive verb falter with the following options:
- To walk unsteadily: stumble
- To give way: totter
- To move waveringly or hesitatingly
- To speak brokenly or weakly: stammer
- To hesitate in purpose or action: waver
- To lose drive or effectiveness
How do these definitions and synonyms relate when applied to our worship of the Lord of Heaven and Earth?
As you study an example of what faltering in worship looks like from 1 Kings 11, you will be better able to answer this question.
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 people of Israel, “You shall not enter into marriage with them, neither shall they with you, for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods.” Solomon clung to these in love.[1]
Review the historical relationship between Israel and Egypt from Exodus 7:1-5. What did the Lord say would happen to the Egyptians in Exodus 7:5?
How does this history color Solomon’s marriage to the daughter of Pharaoh and the stated purpose in 1 Kings 3:1?
Explain the reason behind the warning the Lord gave the people of Israel about marrying daughters of the nations mentioned in 1 Kings 11? (Also see Deuteronomy 7)
3 He had 700 wives, who were princesses, and 300 concubines. And his wives turned away his heart. 4 For when Solomon was old his wives turned away his heart after other gods, and his heart was not wholly true to the Lord his God, as was the heart of David his father. 5 For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites. 6 So Solomon did what was evil in the sight of the Lord and did not wholly follow the Lord, as David his father had done.[2]
Solomon pleased the Lord when he asked for discernment in administering justice (1 Kings 3:10) which the Lord then provided abundantly. (1 Kings 4:29-34)
Yet, Solomon failed to apply this wisdom in his relationships with foreign women. What happened in Solomon’s heart because of all these relationships he gained?
Keeping in mind Solomon’s gaining of his wives and concubines occurred over time, explain the significance of the phrase, “for when Solomon was old” from verse four in connection with his wives’ influence over him.
7 Then Solomon built a high place for Chemosh the abomination of Moab, and for Molech the abomination of the Ammonites, on the mountain east of Jerusalem. 8 And so he did for all his foreign wives, who made offerings and sacrificed to their gods. [3]
Review verses five and six above. What does this imply for verses seven and eight?
Why Do We Falter in Our Worship?
A Study of 1 Kings 11:9-13
9 And the Lord was angry with Solomon, because his heart had turned away from the Lord, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice 10 and had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods. But he did not keep what the Lord commanded.[4]
What does the Lord ask Solomon in 1 Kings 3:5?
Solomon asks for a discerning heart to govern the people in 1 Kings 3:9.
List the promises the Lord gave Solomon in 1 Kings 3:12-13.
Write what the Lord required of Solomon in 1 Kings 3:14.
Why does the Lord appear to Solomon in 1 Kings 9:1-3?
What does the Lord promise Solomon in 1 Kings 9:4-5?
Write what the Lord required of Solomon in 1 Kings 9:4.
Why is wisdom in administering justice for others not a guarantee that Solomon would worship only the Lord as required?
11 Therefore the Lord said to Solomon, “Since this has been your practice and you have not kept my covenant and my statutes that I have commanded you, I will surely tear the kingdom from you and will give it to your servant. [5]
Describe the consequence of Solomon’s failing to worship the Lord alone.
12 Yet for the sake of David your father I will not do it in your days, but I will tear it out of the hand of your son. 13 However, I will not tear away all the kingdom, but I will give one tribe to your son, for the sake of David my servant and for the sake of Jerusalem that I have chosen.” [6]
Why is the Lord unexpectedly gracious to Solomon?
How does this reveal the Lord as faithful to His covenant with the Israelites?
Why Do We Falter in Our Worship?
A Study of 1 Kings 11 | From Faltering to Flourishing
Remember, Merriam-Webster.com defines the intransitive verb falter with the following options:
- To walk unsteadily: stumble
- To give way: totter
- To move waveringly or hesitatingly
- To speak brokenly or weakly: stammer
- To hesitate in purpose or action: waver
- To lose drive or effectiveness
Based on the study above, how do these definitions and synonyms relate when applied to our worship of the Lord of Heaven and Earth?
My thoughts:
Solomon neglected to use the discernment the Lord gave him in administrative matters within his own personal relationships even though the Lord had warned him to guard his heart. The result was his heart stumbled, tottered, and stammered away from the Lord, resulting in a loss of spiritual wholeness and the eventual loss of a united tribal earthly kingdom. (See 1 Kings 11:14-33)
When we fail in guarding our hearts for the Lord, we put ourselves at risk of faltering, no matter the level of our intelligence. We must surrender our passions to the Lord and allow Him to guard our hearts for Him alone.
Why Do We Falter in Our Worship?
A Study of 1 Kings 11 | Personal Application
List anything in your life that keeps you from fully giving your heart to the Lord.
Write a prayer to the Lord about these temptations.
whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.[7]
Now, using Philippians 4:8 above, choose one step you will put into daily practice to guard your heart for the Lord?
4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. [8]
Share a prayer of gratitude for the Lord’s faithfulness in keeping His word even though we may falter in being faithful towards Him in the comments below.
Warmly,
Barbara Lynn
[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), 1 Ki 11:1–2.
[2] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), 1 Ki 11:3–6.
[3] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), 1 Ki 11:7–8.
[4] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), 1 Ki 11:9–10.
[5] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), 1 Ki 11:11.
[6] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), 1 Ki 11:12–13.
[7] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Php 4:8.
[8] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Php 4:4–7.