“And Solomon did evil in the sight of the LORD, and went not fully after the LORD, as did David his father.” (1 Kings 11:6)
As great and successful as Solomon was, in the end, his record was blemished far beyond that of his father, David. With all his searching to know and understand, Solomon became distracted. In Ecclesiastes he catalogues his restless quest. His testimony was not “one thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after …” (Ps. 27:4) Indeed, his desire to know took him down many an illicit path. “But king Solomon loved many strange women …” (1 Kings 11:1)
From beginning to end, David was esteemed for his heart after God. His passions at times blew him off course, but he quickly recovered and resumed his pursuit. “My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me.” (Ps. 63:8) David rejoiced in the Lord his shepherd who restored his soul. (Ps. 23:3) Did Solomon recover himself at the end? Was he restored? The record is unclear.
The success of any life is not found in how much one has accomplished for God – the books written, the insight displayed, the edifices erected for Him. It is found in only one thing – whether they went fully after the Lord. God’s eyes still scan the earth looking for such people.