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In briefly considering Saul and Solomon, what spiritual hazards should we avoid?
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We should avoid following other gods.
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Both Saul and Solomon put themselves first. They started out allowing God to lead and direct them, but then returned to self-indulgence. One of the comments on here says they were self-centered and that is very accurate. Although they did not have the scripture, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness…”, it is apparent through the Old Testament that godly people did this consistently.
Why Saul and Solomon did not follow this all their lives is a mystery to me, as they had previously seen and benefitted from seeking God first. -
They both compromised their faith for other religions and belief.
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The spiritual hazard to avoid is turning away from the living God.
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In Saul, I see pride and the jealousy of others. Although Saul started out apparently humble, he soon became proud and vain. Hence he was very jealous of David who won the hearts of the people, and he had no sense of security. Jealous thoughts led him to murderous intentions.
In Solomon, I see complacency and idolatry. Because his father had secured the kingdom for him through numerous conquests, Solomon was able to settle into a complacent lifestyle (as Ecclesiastes describes). This already is a form of covert idolatry. Then he was given to lust and took many foreign women for wives and concubines. They led him into overt idolatry.