On the surface, the lives of the kings don’t make sense. How could they run to idolatry so fast when they had God’s word (at least some of it), prophets, and the example of David? Here are some of the reasons for the enticement of idols:
The people wanted freedom from the authority of both God and the priests. They wanted their religion to fit their lifestyle, not their lifestyle to fit their religion.
People do not want to answer to a greater authority. Instead of having power over others, God wants us to have the Holy Spirit’s power to help others.
Idol worship exalted sensuality without responsibility or guilt. People acted out the vicious and sensuous personalities of the gods they worshiped, thus gaining approval for their degraded lives.
People deify pleasure, seeking it at the expense of everything else. Instead of seeking pleasure that leads to long-range disaster, God calls us to seek the kind of pleasure that leads to long-range rewards.
Humanity was reduced to little more than animals. The people did not have to be viewed as unique individuals but could be exploited sexually, politically, and economically.
Like animals, people let physical drives and passion rule them. Instead of seeking passion that exploits others, God calls us to redirect our passions to areas that build others up.
The high and holy nature of God was replaced by gods who were more a reflection of human nature, thus more culturally suitable to the people. These gods no longer required sacrifice, just a token of appeasement.
Sacrifice is seen as self-inflicted punishment, making no sense. Success is to be sought at all costs. Instead of seeking praise for ourselves, God calls us to praise him and those who honor him.
As societies change, they often throw out norms and values no longer considered necessary or acceptable. Believers must be careful not to follow society’s example if it discards God’s Word. When society does that, only godlessness and evil remain.