Lesson 24: THE KINGDOM DIVIDED - Rehoboam
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1 Kings 12:1-24
Both kingdoms began in 931 B.C.
The Northern nation of Israel, which consisted of 10 tribes, lasted 210 years and the Southern kingdom, Judah, made up of two tribes – Judah, Benjamin and remnants of the Levites, it lasted 326 years.
There were 19 kings in northern kingdom and 20 in the southern kingdom, well 19 kings and one queen. There were no kings in the north that was righteous or could be called good.
The capital of the Northern kingdom was Samaria, and Jerusalem was the capital of the southern kingdom.
The Northern Kingdom of Israel was captured by the Assyrians in 721 B.C. and never returned as a group while the Southern kingdom of Judah was captured in 606 BC and returned in three large groups 70 years later.
I. The Coronation of Rehoboam vv.1-5
I. The Coronation of Rehoboam vv.1-5
Now there are not notes as to which son of Solomon was Rehoboam, but he was likely the first born. He was certainly trained and prepared. Remember, so much of Solomon’s writings in Proverbs were instructions to his son. So when he took his throne, he had everything he needed to succeed.
A. Why Shechem
A. Why Shechem
God appeared to Abraham there
Gen 12:1-7
Joseph was buried there
Gen 33:18-20
Josh 24:32
B. The pleading of Jeroboam and Israel
B. The pleading of Jeroboam and Israel
1. Solomon’s heavy burdens
1. Solomon’s heavy burdens
Think about all that Solomon had done and required of Israel.
The expanse of the kingdom was at its greatest.
The riches that were brought in yearly were enormous to where silver had no value.
They had several nations completed subjugated to them; the Israelites had now become the taskmasters of them.
They were away from home months at a time in the quarries, in the forests of Lebanon, in building the greatest structures of their day.
They build the Temple. The Kings palace, his house in the forest, and the special house for Pharaoh’s daughter. There had to be houses and structures erected for the horses, charitos, and somehow in the midst of all of this, there were a thousand wives and concubines that had to be housed and fed.
So what was the pleading about?
2. The request to make the burdens lighter
2. The request to make the burdens lighter
3. Rehoboam’s reply
3. Rehoboam’s reply
Come back in three days.
II. Rehoboam’s was a fool
II. Rehoboam’s was a fool
A. He seeks counsel
A. He seeks counsel
1. From the older men vv.6-7
1. From the older men vv.6-7
a. Be a servant
a. Be a servant
b. Answer graciously
b. Answer graciously
c. They will serve you forever
c. They will serve you forever
2. Then from the young men vv.8-11
2. Then from the young men vv.8-11
One of the great works of the flesh that destroys many Christians lives and the very least causes them to be out of God’s will is that they seek counsel from people they know will counsel them the way they want to go.
Quit going to your lost friends and co-workers for counsel.
Quit going to backslidden Christians.
Quit seeking counsel from people that are esteemed wise by the world.
I know a lot of people don’t let the pastor counsel them because they won’t like what he says or he won’t let them get away with what they are plotting to do.
If it lines up with the Word of God and I see no problem with it – I will say go for it. But if it serves the flesh or is selfish or excuse making, or against the Bible, I’m going to let you know.
Those of you who have counseled, you know I’m not a bully, but I’m going to tell you what is good and right and biblical.
I’m your biggest fan – I want you to succeed and that starts with biblical counsel.
a. The young men counseled him to be harder
a. The young men counseled him to be harder
b. Their counsel was self-serving
b. Their counsel was self-serving
B. He follows the ungodly and foolish counsel vv.13-15
B. He follows the ungodly and foolish counsel vv.13-15
1. He speaks roughly to them
1. He speaks roughly to them
2. He threatens them
2. He threatens them
3. He refuses to serve them
3. He refuses to serve them
v.15 “He hearkened not unto the people”
C. This was from the Lord v.14
C. This was from the Lord v.14
Notice that little phrase “for the cause was from the Lord,” God knew this was coming – God knew the kingdom would be divided.
III. The Kingdom is split vv.16-24
III. The Kingdom is split vv.16-24
A. Israel made the decision v.16
A. Israel made the decision v.16
B. Adoram is stoned and Rehoboam flees v.17
B. Adoram is stoned and Rehoboam flees v.17
C. Rehoboam seeks war with Israel but God says no vv.21-24
C. Rehoboam seeks war with Israel but God says no vv.21-24
IV. The Acts of Life of Rehoboam 1 Kings 14:21-31
IV. The Acts of Life of Rehoboam 1 Kings 14:21-31
A. He reigned 17 years v.21
A. He reigned 17 years v.21
Age of 40 when he began to reign
B. Judah did wickedly under his reign vv.22-24
B. Judah did wickedly under his reign vv.22-24
C. God’s judgement came through the king of Egypt vv.25-26
C. God’s judgement came through the king of Egypt vv.25-26
D. Rehoboam hides his shame by making shields of brass vv.27-28
D. Rehoboam hides his shame by making shields of brass vv.27-28
E. Judah fought with Israel all his days v.29
E. Judah fought with Israel all his days v.29
F. His wicked mother vv.21 and 31
F. His wicked mother vv.21 and 31
She was an Ammonite woman. She was not raised in Jewish household, likely was not believer at all.
Remember in our former lessons:
1 Kings 11:1-8
V. Lesson of Rehoboam’s life - The Sin of Pride
V. Lesson of Rehoboam’s life - The Sin of Pride
Pride demands respect where it is often not deserved.
There is nothing wrong with giving respect and honor but as soon as someone demands respect – respect is lost.
Respect can only be earned by earning it. By doing something that others would naturally give it.
Now there is respect that comes with position.
Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.
A. Pride brings contention
A. Pride brings contention
Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.
B. Pride brings shame
B. Pride brings shame
When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.
C. Pride brings destruction
C. Pride brings destruction
Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
D. Pride is worldly
D. Pride is worldly
Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:
E. God hates pride
These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:
A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,
An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,
The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.