Indulgence

 

    When you think about indulgence, what comes to mind?  I think of catering to every whim without considering consequences.  In reality indulgence is a release from punishment in the world.  It is considered to be disinclined to being severe or rigorous in life pursuits. Other interpretations for indulgent is being obliging, pampered, tolerant, or easy going.  

    As a type A personality I would interpret that as an indulgent person does not take life seriously.  In reality it is not necessarily bad or good.  It think it depends on the level in which you take it.  Life needs balance.  We don' need to be lazy or expecting people to wait upon us, but at the same time we don't need to be so work driven that we drive ourselves and those closest to us to an early grave.

    King Solomon had this balance.  He worked very hard in life, but he also indulged in his pleasures.  However, these pleasures did get him into some trouble at the end of his life.  We all lose perspective at times.  The goal is to allow God to reveal it and make the necessary changes.

    It was the women in Solomon's life that caused him to loose perspective.  One woman was the Queen of Sheba.  She was impressed by Solomon's wisdom and as a woman of great influence she was not easily impressed.  I think he went out of his way because he was impressed by her and found her exotically beautiful.  

    Solomon also indulged himself in his weapon collection.  He had an impressive arsenals.  He had great wealth which was not an indulgence, but it fed his indulgences.  

    People pursued him because of his wisdom.  I don't think that was one of his indulgences.  I don't think that it ever went to his head.  It was just a part of his life.  He reigned well for 40 years.  When he died, his son Rehoboam became the last king of the united Israelite nation. 

2 Chronicles 9