Obedience

Two great kings.  King David and King Solomon.  Father and son.  David was known as 'a man after God's own heart'.  His cry, "create in me a clean heart, O God" (Psalm 51:10).  His desire was to obey.  He made his mistakes but desired forgiveness.  He knew God was the only way.   He sought after God.
  Solomon became King of Israel after his father, Davids death.  His prayer, "God, give me wisdom" [paraphrased from 1 Kings 3:1-11].  But at the same moment he prayed this prayer he was consciously disobeying God.  God forbid the Israelites from marrying foreign women (to keep their faith from foreign influence) (Exodus 34:16 and Deuteronomy 7:34).  God also forbid sacrifices from being burnt outside the temple (this assured proper supervision to the ceremonies and that God's ways would be maintained...the law would be adhered to) (Deuteronomy 12:13&14).  While Solomon prays for wisdom he is in the process of marrying the princess of Egypt (direct disobedience)...and is burning sacrifices to God on the "high places" (hills above Jerusalem)...(direct disobedience).  God honored Solomon's prayer and gave him wisdom.  Solomon was well known for his wisdom.  However, Solomon did not live out his wisdom in obedience.  His disobedience to God in marrying foreign wives led him into the worship of Molech (the Ammonite god) (as well as many others).  Molech, however, was worshiped via child sacrifice.
  This 'slide' of moral degradation didn't happen all at once.  It was gradual and slow.  Solomon knew what he needed to do.  He was gifted with more wisdom than anyone on earth.  His downfall, disobedience.  He knew the truth, he knew what was right, and chose to ignore it.  Over the course of years, Solomon went from a wise God fearing king (one who built the temple) to the creator of the shrine of Molech.  It was at the hands of Solomon innocent children were murdered.
  Solomon's lineage continued into moral degradation.  His son, Rehoboam born to an Ammonite mother continued the path of disobedience.  His disobedience caused the split in the house of Israel.  Not too many years following, Israel is totally conquered.
  It's interesting to me the difference in these two kings.  David and Solomon both made mistakes.  We all make mistakes. The difference: what they did after the fact.  David sought God and forgiveness.  Solomon did not.  Though Solomon was gifted with wisdom it did him no good.  His wisdom wasn't followed by obedience.
Would I be out of line to say Solomon's wisdom was for naught?  Wisdom without obedience.....useless.

Their stories: 1&2 Samuel, and 1 Kings ch.1 thru 11.