1 Kings 12:1-33
Q.1. Why did the tribes of Israel rebel against King Rehoboam and separate from Judah? What is the lesson for us? – (1 Kgs.12:1-19)
It must have been difficult for Rehoboam to follow a father who was full of contradictions, with his seeming love for God, and his destructive love of women (c.f. 1 Kgs.10:23-12:3). Solomon’s accomplishments were outstanding. He had made Jerusalem a wonder to all nations, but at the expense of unity (c.f. 1 Kgs.11:14, 23, 26). After Solomon died, the people were unhappy and said to his son, Rehoboam – Your father made our yoke hard; now therefore lighten the hard service of your father and his heavy yoke which he put on us, and we will serve you (1 Kgs.12:4). From the outset, Rehoboam wanted to put his own stamp on his rule. This caused him to reject the advice of the elders and follow the foolhardy advice of his young and inexperienced friends, who told him to be even tougher than his father (1 Kgs.12:6-11-4). His recklessness – was a turn of events from the Lord, that He might establish His word, which the Lord spoke through Ahijah … (1 Kgs.12:15). The simmering resentment from the other tribes quickly surfaced. They responded – What portion do we have in David? We have no inheritance in the son of Jesse. To your tents, O Israel! Now look after your own house, David! So, Israel has been in rebellion against the house of David to this day (1 Kgs.12:16 & 19 c.f. 2 Sam. 20:1-2). The main lesson for today is that we should not neglect the advice of experienced leaders, nor should we forget the lessons of the past.
Q.2. How was a civil war avoided? What does this incident tell us about the power of one faithful person? – (1 Kgs.12:20-24)
When Jeroboam was appointed King of the northern kingdom, Rehoboam determined that he would stop his rule before it started. He soon amassed an army of 180,000 chosen warriors from Judah, plus the Benjamites who were usually willing to be involved in a fight (1 Kgs.12:21 c.f. Jdgs.20:18-48). This would have plunged the nation into civil war, with ‘brother fighting brother’. Amazingly, one solitary MAN OF GOD delivered God’s message, telling them to refrain from fighting – You must not go up and fight against your relatives the sons of Israel; return every man to his house, for this thing has come from Me (1 Kgs.12:24). They heeded the message from the man of God. From this we see the effect that one solitary person who stands faithful to His God can have.
Q.3. What was so wicked about the way that Jeroboam established himself over the northern kingdom of Israel? – (1 Kgs.12:25-33)
Succeeding history would repeat Jeroboam’s name, just as it did David’s. Only, Jeroboam was described as – the man who caused Israel to sin (1 Kgs.13:34; 14:16; 15:26; 16:13). While establishing his kingdom, Jeroboam reasoned that if Israel returned to Jerusalem for the feasts of the Lord under the direction of the Levitical priesthood, they would soon give their allegiance to the King of Judah. To combat this, he set up a rival religion – which he had devised in his own heart (1 Kgs.12:33). He strategically located places of sacrifice at Bethel, and as far away as Dan nearly 250 kms from Jerusalem (1 Kgs.12:28-30). He – made houses on the high places and made priests from among all the people who were not of the sons of Levi (1 Kgs.12:31). He established feasts similar to those at Jerusalem (1 Kgs.12:32). Thus, he lured the people away from taking part in the feasts appointed by the Lord. What was especially wicked and foolish, was that he ignored the fact that God had promised him a lasting dynasty like David’s (c.f. 1 Kgs.11:29-39). Sadly, he rejected this and insulted the Lord by leading His people astray. It is one of the great lost opportunities of the Bible!