He followed all the sinful practices of his father before him. He was not wholeheartedly devoted to the <sc>Lordsc> his God, as his ancestor David had been.<n id="1" />

Nevertheless for David&#8217;s sake the <sc>Lordsc> his God maintained his dynasty<n id="1" /> in Jerusalem by giving him a son<n id="2" /> to succeed him<n id="3" /> and by protecting Jerusalem.<n id="4" />

&#8220;You know that my father David was unable to build a temple to honor the <sc>Lordsc><n id="1" /> his God, for he was busy fighting battles on all fronts while the <sc>Lordsc> subdued his enemies.<n id="2" />

When Solomon became old, his wives shifted his allegiance to<n id="1" /> other gods; he was not wholeheartedly devoted to the <sc>Lordsc> his God, as his father David had been.<n id="2" />