A Kingdom Divided

04/01/2019 A Kingdom Divided

Series: The Story Of The Bible 

https://vimeo.com/324905625

What Does The Bible Say?

2 Chronicles 10:1-16

Rehoboam went to Shechem, where all Israel had gathered to make him king. 2 When Jeroboam son of Nebat heard of this, he returned from Egypt, for he had fled to Egypt to escape from King Solomon. 3 The leaders of Israel summoned him, and Jeroboam and all Israel went to speak with Rehoboam. 4 “Your father was a hard master,” they said. “Lighten the harsh labor demands and heavy taxes that your father imposed on us. Then we will be your loyal subjects.” 5 Rehoboam replied, “Come back in three days for my answer.” So the people went away. 6 Then King Rehoboam discussed the matter with the older men who had counseled his father, Solomon. “What is your advice?” he asked. “How should I answer these people?” 

7 The older counselors replied, “If you are good to these people and do your best to please them and give them a favorable answer, they will always be your loyal subjects.” (2 Chronicles 10:1–7 NLT) 

We lead better when we lead through serving.

8 But Rehoboam rejected the advice of the older men and instead asked the opinion of the young men who had grown up with him and were now his advisers. 9 “What is your advice?” he asked them. “How should I answer these people who want me to lighten the burdens imposed by my father?” 10 The young men replied, “This is what you should tell those complainers who want a lighter burden: ‘My little finger is thicker than my father’s waist! 11 Yes, my father laid heavy burdens on you, but I’m going to make them even heavier! My father beat you with whips, but I will beat you with scorpions!’ ” (2 Chronicles 10:8–11 NLT) 

We take the advice that goes along with what we already want to do.

12 Three days later Jeroboam and all the people returned to hear Rehoboam’s decision, just as the king had ordered. 13 But Rehoboam spoke harshly to them, for he rejected the advice of the older counselors 14 and followed the counsel of his younger advisers. He told the people, “My father laid heavy burdens on you, but I’m going to make them even heavier! My father beat you with whips, but I will beat you with scorpions!” 15 So the king paid no attention to the people. This turn of events was the will of God, for it fulfilled the Lord’s message to Jeroboam son of Nebat through the prophet Ahijah from Shiloh. 

16 When all Israel realized that the king had refused to listen to them, they responded, “Down with the dynasty of David! We have no interest in the son of Jesse. Back to your homes, O Israel! Look out for your own house, O David!” So all the people of Israel returned home.  (2 Chronicles 10:12–16 NLT) 

25 Similarly, a family splintered by feuding will fall apart. (Mark 3:25 NLT)

A house divided against each other cannot stand.

21 When Rehoboam arrived at Jerusalem, he mobilized the men of Judah and the tribe of Benjamin—180,000 select troops—to fight against the men of Israel and to restore the kingdom to himself. 22 But God said to Shemaiah, the man of God, 23 “Say to Rehoboam son of Solomon, king of Judah, and to all the people of Judah and Benjamin, and to the rest of the people, 24 ‘This is what the Lord says: Do not fight against your relatives, the Israelites. Go back home, for what has happened is my doing!’ ” So they obeyed the message of the Lord and went home, as the Lord had commanded. (1 Kings 12:21–24 NLT)

A house divided against God cannot stand.

9 The Lord was very angry with Solomon, for his heart had turned away from the Lord, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice. 10 He had warned Solomon specifically about worshiping other gods, but Solomon did not listen to the Lord’s command. 11 So now the Lord said to him, “Since you have not kept my covenant and have disobeyed my decrees, I will surely tear the kingdom away from you and give it to one of your servants. 12 But for the sake of your father, David, I will not do this while you are still alive. I will take the kingdom away from your son. 13 And even so, I will not take away the entire kingdom; I will let him be king of one tribe, for the sake of my servant David and for the sake of Jerusalem, my chosen city.” (1 Kings 11:9–13 NLT)

When we do not follow God, we mess up our own lives, and hinder those who follow us.

How Can You Obey:

Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. 7 Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do. (James 1:8 NLT)

Do not have a divided heart. 

Question 1 of 5

Solomon’s son, Rehoboam, got advice from two groups of people. Why was the advice so radically different from each other?

Question 2 of 5

Name a wise person you know, and share a piece of wisdom this person has given you.

Question 3 of 5

Jesus modeled serving when He washed the disciple’s feet (John 13). How can serving with a humble heart make a person a stronger leader?

Question 4 of 5

The Bible teaches that a divided house will always fall. What practical things can we do to bring peace to our homes?

Question 5 of 5 

Spiritual compromise led to Solomon's poor finish. How does idolatry slip into our lives, and how can we root it out before it weakens our faith and destroys us?