Chemosh and Molech

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. And so he did for all his foreign wives, who made offerings and sacrificed to their gods.

1 Kings 11:7-8

Solomon’s devotion to God alone was quickly lost when his passion for a sexually polygamous lifestyle overtook his heart. He literally loved THOUSANDS of women. He kept these wives and concubines in a royal harem, and since many of these women were also gentiles who were “given” to him in political treaty, he sought to keep them happy.

He built pagan temples to their false gods and allowed the worship practices of these idols to proliferate in his own household. Chemosh and Molech were particularly loathesome and evil false gods, both of which required human child sacrifice in rites of worship. Solomon’s lust took him way off track. And the gross nature of his idolatry brought God’s discipline. The kingdom never survived this.

The path to any idolatry starts with the heart. That is why I must let scripture examine my wants and motives. The heart and the things I want can easily lead me away from worshiping God.