Year 1, Week 48, Day 4 Bible Reading Observations

Year 1, Week 48, Day 4

I have a brief observation for today’s reading of 1 Kings 12.

Today’s reading introduces the reign of Rehoboam, son of Solomon. Immediately we are reacquainted with Jeroboam, a man whom the LORD raised up as an adversary of Solomon. The prophet Abijah had declared that Jeroboam would be given a large portion of Israel as a testimony of the chastisement upon Solomon: “Then Ahijah laid hold of the new garment that was on him, and tore it into twelve pieces. And he said to Jeroboam, “Take for yourself ten pieces, for thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, ‘Behold, I am about to tear the kingdom from the hand of Solomon and will give you ten tribes” (1 Kings 11:30-31). However, Jeroboam fled to Egypt escaping harm from Solomon: “Solomon sought therefore to kill Jeroboam. But Jeroboam arose and fled into Egypt, to Shishak king of Egypt, and was in Egypt until the death of Solomon” (1 Kings 11:4). Now with Rehoboam installed as king, Jeroboam returned and inquired what type of King Rehoboam intended to be: “Your father made our yoke heavy. Now therefore lighten the hard service of your father and his heavy yoke on us, and we will serve you.” He said to them, “Go away for three days, then come again to me.” So the people went away” (1 Kings 12:4-5). Rehoboam provided a very foolish answer: “And now, whereas my father laid on you a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke. My father disciplined you with whips, but I will discipline you with scorpions” (1 Kings 12:11). Israel fractures.

One of the things that struck me from today’s reading was the beginning of Israel’s troubles as the nation divides: “And when all Israel saw that the king did not listen to them, the people answered the king, “What portion do we have in David? We have no inheritance in the son of Jesse…So Israel has been in rebellion against the house of David to this day” (1 Kings 12:16,19). Rehoboam’s decision to be harsher than his father Solomon immediately resulted in the nation Israel becoming a divided nation, wherein ten tribes would follow Jeroboam and become known as the Northern Kingdom or Israel, while two tribes would follow Rehoboam and become known as the Southern Kingdom of Judah. This division would continue until the destruction of the Northern Kingdom, leaving only the Southern Kingdom until its eventual destruction. However, there is another factor behind the cause of the nation dividing. As previously noted, Solomon’s unfaithfulness also accounts for the nation being divided. In the providential workings of the LORD, Rehoboam’s refusal to listen to wise counsel (for which Rehoboam would be held accountable for he did what he wanted to do), also concurred with the LORD’s chastisement of Solomon: “So the king did not listen to the people, for it was a turn of affairs brought about by the LORD that he might fulfill his word, which the LORD spoke by Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam the son of Nebat” (1 Kings 12:15).

The unwavering purposes of the LORD would not be impeded by either Rehoboam’s foolishness or Solomon’s idolatry. The LORD’s promises to David would stand: “And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever” (2 Samuel 7:16). Even though the Northern Kingdom broke away, there would still be a Davidic King on the throne: “And when all Israel heard that Jeroboam had returned, they sent and called him to the assembly and made him king over all Israel. There was none that followed the house of David but the tribe of Judah only” (1 Kings 12:20). This reduced Kingdom was a Kingdom nevertheless, and its present diminished size was right in line with the LORD’s Word to Solomon: “But I will take the kingdom out of his son’s hand and will give it to you, ten tribes. Yet to his son I will give one tribe, that David my servant may always have a lamp before me in Jerusalem, the city where I have chosen to put my name” (1 Kings 11:35-36). Neither Rehoboam’s stupidity nor Solomon’s sinfulness could overtake the LORD’s sovereignty. Humanity can demean the plans of God, but they cannot dissolve them. It is always tragic when we tarnish God’s purposes, but we can never thwart them. As we read on, we will see how the consequences resulting from the actions of Solomon and Rehoboam will be awful; but we should be in awe of how God will carry out His promises.

Jeroboam proves to be unfit for his role. Jeroboam was handed the oversight of Israel by the LORD. However, out of fear, he schemed a way to provide an alternative worship for Israel: “If this people go up to offer sacrifices in the temple of the LORD at Jerusalem, then the heart of this people will turn again to their lord, to Rehoboam king of Judah…So the king took counsel and made two calves of gold. And he said to the people, “You have gone up to Jerusalem long enough. Behold your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt” (1 Kings 12:27-28). Jeroboam’s declaration was identical to Aaron’s tragic declaration (see Exodus 32:4). Jeroboam had an opportunity to trust the LORD, but he defied the LORD and devised a scheme of false worship. We will soon read of Jeroboam’s demise.

What struck you in today’s reading? What questions were prompted from today’s reading?

Pastor Joe