So how did the man widely known as the wisest man who ever lived end up with 700 wives? (I Kings 11:3) 

How could this happen? 

When did it start to go bad?

II Samuel 11:2-4

“Late one afternoon, after his midday rest, David got out of bed and was walking on the roof of the palace. As he looked out over the city, he noticed a woman of unusual beauty taking a bath. He sent someone to find out who she was, and the king was told, “She is Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite.” Then David sent messengers to get her; and when she came to the palace, he slept with her.”  

Even before Solomon was alive, the roots of his sin were established. His father used his power and position to lure his married mother into an inappropriate relationship. Lies, deceit, murder and treachery followed and Solomon’s older sibling died. 

Could Solomon overcome his family ‘roots’? With God, all things are possible! But he was starting in a deficit position due to the sins of his powerful father. 

 *Reflection: Godly fathers matter, both for the present and for the future. A man cannot violate God’s commands and expect those that are closest to him (his family) not to be impacted by his sin.