In 1 Kings 3 we have the story of Solomon's visit to a "high place" in Gibeon where after a sacrifice he has a dream.

He very properly asks for the gift of wisdom so as to be able to govern God's people. God grants him that PLUS wealth, honor and long life.

But as you pick through the story of his reign over the next 8 chapters the picture that unfolds is that of a king that is anything but wise.In fact almost the entire kingdom revolts and refuses to be ruled by the house of David upon Solomon's death.

That we still think of Solomon as one of the wisest of men to have ever lived is a testament to the effectiveness of his PR.

The writer of Kings concludes that Solomon "did evil in the sight of YHWH" because he was led astray by his many foreign wives to worship idols.

In 1 Kings 3 we are told, "he offered sacrifices and incense on the high places." And, "The king went to Gibeon to offer sacrifices, for that was the most important high place, and Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings on that altar."

The term "high places" refers to mountain top altars used in the Baal worship of the Canaanites the Israelites were commanded by YHWH to destroy. They didn't.

High places speak naturally of power and majesty, give you the feeling you are nearer to God and provide a kind of God's-eye perspective. But the "high places" were specifically about worshiping idols.

And idols are false gods, something in our lives that is not God that we worship as God. What's yours?

Look at where you spend you money, time and effort.

If your God is an idol it can destroy you just as it did Solomon.