Half a Heart?

by Jon Hathorn on September 27, 2021

"Let your heart therefore be perfect with the LORD our God, to walk in His statutes, and to keep His commandments." I Kings 8:61

I once heard someone say, "King Saul had no heart for God. David had a whole heart for God. Solomon had a half heart for God."

Going through the motions and not caring is something we often see. Not trying really hard at tasks, working slowly instead of steadily - doing just enough to get by, rather than giving your best and having the project be incredible. Do you remember someone ever saying - "that guy gives 110%", or better yet have you ever heard someone say - "you aren't into this, you aren't working hard, you are giving a half-hearted effort."? These words are pretty powerful and we take them personally.

Yesterday in church, our sermon was about I Kings - and the life of Solomon. He had to follow in the footsteps of his father David. He was very wise, he loved people - and yet his heart was divided. He simply couldn't make his mind up about fully loving God more than anything else.

His father David gave him some great advice in I Kings 2:2, "Be strong, show yourself a man and observe what the Lord your God requires." - what a great testimony to leave to children -"Walk with God, follow God, be faithful and know that God is in charge and you should live that way."

It is clear that David desired for Solomon to be 100% faithful to God, no wavering in faith and trust of God. What a great desire for our children - to first and foremost love and obey the King of Kings.

Solomon builds the incredible temple for the Lord, and it is amazing and greatly appreciated. What a blessing. But then, he builds a palace for himself that is more wonderful than the one he built for God.

I share these thoughts about Solomon, to help encourage a life of admiration and love for God - far above anything else. To be thinking about, praying about, living faithfully for God - not just for a few days but for a long time - as in each and every day. May we focus on the words of David by saying in our heads and in our heart the words of I Kings 2:2, "Be strong, show yourself a follower of the Lord and observe what the Lord your God requires."

About the Author

Jon Hathorn

As I child, I really wanted God to like me and I feared that I wasn't good enough for Him. During high school, I attended church camp. It was there that I realized I was sinner in need of God's grace. I prayed to God, admitting my sin, accepting His death on the cross for my sin, and asking Him to guide my life. I have lived here in Stockton all my life graduating from Delta and UOP, and eventually getting a Master's in Bible and Theology. It was during a mission trip that I met Bev, who became my wife, Our two daughters were born right here in Stockton. I have served the Lord locally in a couple of churches and as a high school Bible Teacher. I love encouraging other people, sharing the Word of God, watching sports, eating Mexican food and spaghetti, spending time with our family and going on walks with our grandson. Philippians 1:6 is the prayer of my life and it says, "For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ."