READ: 1 Kings 11:1-13
There be three things which are too wonderful for me, yea, four which I know not: The way of an eagle in the air; the way of a serpent upon a rock; the way of a ship in the midst of the sea; and the way of a man with a maid.
Proverbs 30:18
Solomon’s downturn happened when he gave himself to the love of women. The scripture tells us that he loved many strange women. Although he was the king and had all power to rule his kingdom, the women he loved destroyed his leadership. What exactly did the women do? Was Solomon destroyed because he had sex with all these women? Was he committing a sin when he married all these women? Apparently, polygamy was accepted in those days.
Then what power did the women have in his life? They had the power of influence! To prove his love to the myriad of women he encountered, he had to tell them secrets and promise them gifts and favours. The secrets that he gave away probably compromised his reign. The favours that he gave to these people probably compromised him.
Women have a subtle influence on the affairs of this world. If you do not have a proper respect for the influence that women have, you may live to regret it. You must have a proper respect for the influence that a wife can exert on your life. You must also have a proper respect for the influence that other women whom you are not married to can have on your life. Your life and ministry can change if you love any woman more than you should.
The Bible says the way of a man with a maiden is both strange and mysterious. Make sure that your mind is clear. Make sure that your feelings are not misleading you. Make sure that the gentle, attractive face of that lady is not misleading you and destroying your clear train of thought.