Have you ever wondered if King Solomon – infamous for his great riches, overpowering wisdom, and relationship with God – made it to Heaven? After all, the Bible doesn’t provide us with a definitive answer.
That’s why we’ve been left asking ourselves: Did Solomon go to Heaven?
In this post, we’ll explore different beliefs within the Christian faith and discuss potentially relevant passages from Scripture that might help provide some answers.
Who is Solomon?
Solomon was a king of Israel who built the first temple in Jerusalem and wrote many of the books of the Bible, including Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Solomon.
He was known for his wisdom, wealth, and power, but he also had his flaws, including a tendency to take many wives and concubines, some of whom were from foreign nations and worshiped other gods.
Overall Solomon had 700 wives and 300 concubines. This can be found in 1 Kings 11:3 «He had 700 wives of royal birth and 300 concubines. And in fact, they did turn his heart away from the LORD.»
Solomon’s Obedience to God
In the Old Testament, we can see a mixed portrayal of his character. He is praised for his wisdom and the prosperity of his kingdom, which was a reflection of his obedience to God.
In 1 Kings 3:10-14 is written:
«The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this. So God said to him, ‘Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart so that there will never be anyone like you, nor will there ever be. Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for—both wealth and honor—so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings.’»
Solomon’s Idolatry
At the same time, Solomon’s later years were marked by idolatry and disobedience to God.
In 1 Kings 11:4-9, we read:
«As Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and his heart was not fully devoted to the Lord his God, as the heart of David his father had been. He followed Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, and Molek the detestable god of the Ammonites… He did the same for all his foreign wives, who burned incense and offered sacrifices to their gods. The LORD became angry with Solomon because his heart had turned away from the LORD, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice.»
These verses show that Solomon’s actions were against God’s teachings and that he didn’t fully follow God.
Did Solomon Go to Heaven?
The question of whether King Solomon went to heaven is very difficult and it has been debated by theologians for centuries. The writings of the Church Fathers can help shed light on this topic for us.
The Bible doesn’t have a clear answer if Solomon went to heaven. However, some passages suggest that he may have repented and returned to God in his later years.
Solomon About God’s Judgement
In Ecclesiastes 12:13-14, Solomon writes: «The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.» We can assume based on these verses that Solomon recognized the importance of following God and may have repented of his sins.
His intellect and experiences are recorded in the book of Ecclesiastes and he says that he tried to find pleasure in everything, but was disappointed, and by the end of the book he came to the following conclusion:
«Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth. Walk in the ways of your heart and the sight of your eyes. But know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment.» (Ecclesiastes 11:9)
«Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.» (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14)
This shows that he realized his sins and called on all people not to sin and repent.
Read Also: Are Adam and Eve in Heaven?
He Repented Before He Died
Many Bible scholars believe that the man who wrote these truths repented before he died and that he wrote them in his old age. On the other hand, 1 Kings says that in his old age, his wives turned his heart to other gods.
And although the Bible doesn’t tell us about the fact of his repentance, the Tradition of the Church preserves the memory of this. In the Orthodox Church, Solomon is commemorated as a saint, with the title of “Righteous Prophet and King”.
Saint John Chrysostom wrote about him: «Solomon, who was both wise and prudent, was rejected; how then shall the foolish virgins enter in?… If he did not obtain it who surpassed all in wisdom, how shall the rest of us obtain it, unless we watch?» This quote shows us that Saint John Chrysostom believed that Solomon was ultimately rejected by God
Andrew of Crete also believed that despite his wisdom, Solomon turned away from God and wasn’t accepted by him.
However, Cyril of Jerusalem, Epiphanius, and Jerome think that he foretold his death by repentance. The Book of Ecclesiastes seems to be a monument to this repentance.
Saint Ambrose writes: «Let no one despair, however great his crimes, but rather let him be encouraged by the example of Solomon, who, though he had sinned greatly, yet by his tears and penitence won a pardon from God.»
This passage suggests that Saint Ambrose believed that Solomon was able to obtain forgiveness for his sins through repentance.
Read Also: Why Did God Choose Abraham?
Connecting with God is essential to praying effectively and receiving answers. Our FREE cheat sheet will help you build a strong relationship with God and create an effective prayer life.
Final Thoughts
There is no clear indication in the Bible that Solomon repented of his sins, but the words written by Solomon testify to deep repentance.
There are two opinions among the Church Fathers. Some believe that Solomon wasn’t accepted by God, and others believe that despite his terrible sins, God forgave him because of his repentance.
While he may have strayed from God’s path in his earlier years, we can assume based on his writings that he may have repented and returned to God in his later years.
This shows us that it’s never too late to seek forgiveness for our past mistakes. No matter how far we have strayed from God’s path, there is always a chance for redemption if we are willing to humble ourselves before God and seek His forgiveness.
Also, the story of Solomon teaches us humility. Even those who knew about God, his commandments, and paradise, continued to stray away from the faith and periodically sinned. Even for such a wise man, it was very difficult to come to God and even now we are wondering if God forgave him.
This shows that this process won’t be easy for us either, but we should never despair, even if we backslide from God, He is always ready to forgive us.
Charalampos
Charalampos is an Orthodox Christian who wants to help others learn about Christianity. His main goal is to help people understand the Bible and how to apply its teachings in their everyday lives. He also enjoys spending time with his family, playing sports, and hiking.
Connecting with God is essential to praying effectively and receiving answers. Our FREE cheat sheet will help you build a strong relationship with God and create an effective prayer life.
