Everyone expects that a king will enjoy the best of what his nation can produce. No one is surprised when leaders enjoy the benefits of their labors. But the great danger is to refuse to be satisfied short of excess.
Ancient kings often demonstrated their wealth and prestige by accumulating many wives as well as a large harem. This was considered standard fare for that day. Sadly, Solomon eagerly embraced the secular standards of his time. More than that, he took them to unprecedented levels.
One might have thought that several wives, as his father David had collected, might have satisfied him. But Solomon married 700, plus an additional 300 concubines. Clearly this was not due to a need on Solomon’s part. No one needs 700 wives! Rather it represented supreme indulgence. Because he could have it, he did have it. It would be in this area of personal excess that the great king would stumble badly.
There is a reason that God urges moderation upon his people. Extravagance can be deadly. It distracts us from what truly matters. Our heart cannot fully love God while being bombarded with a multitude of distractions. Whenever you find that your possessions and relationships own you, rather than you owning them, beware!