Day 167 – Rehoboam (Southern King 17 years)

• We’ve had Saul, David and Solomon. All have led (with ups and downs) a united country with all twelve tribes under one king, but as Solomon departs, the country is becoming fragmented. In today’s passages we see a major turning point as the country splits into two distinct sections – Israel in the north, roughly made up of the people from ten tribes, and Judah in the south, which is formed from the other two tribes. It’s really super important that you grasp this, and understand that from tomorrow on “Israel” refers to the northern section only. We’re going to be readings about the kings (and one queen) in both the north and the south over the coming months.
• Below is one of the most useful charts you’ll get this year. Print it out and stick it on your wall or fold it into the back of your journal. You’ll find that very useful to have this to hand. It shows all the kings – the three we have looked at already and the forty yet to come. At the top of the left column is today’s king, Rehoboam, and you’ll see a sneak-peak at whether he’s a good king or not.
• It’s important that you know that the capital city, Jerusalem, was in Judah, the southern land. In the northern land, a different ruler, Jeroboam, has the popular support – you can see his name at the top on the right hand side. Today our focus is on Rehoboam, and we’ll find out why the northern people don’t support him. Tomorrow we’ll look at Jeroboam.
• As 1 Kings 12 opens, the people make a request to Rehoboam about the difficulty of their work. Your bible might use the word “yoke”. How does he initially react to their request, and why might this be good?
• Contrast the advice Rehoboam got from the elders to that of his friends. What is the logic that each group uses? What is the final decision Rehoboam makes?
• Look back on the advice you’ve received from “elders” (parents, church leaders, teachers) and that of your friends. Which is generally more trustworthy?
• Rehoboam’s foolishness is part of the reason the land splits into two separate kingdoms. What does 1 Kings 12:15 say about God orchestrating things to bring about the split?
• When Jeroboam is made king of the northern kingdom (1 Kings 12:20), what does Rehoboam decide to do? Why is he stopped?
• Flick your eyes over the passage we read in 1 Kings 14. Was Rehoboam a good king?
• The verse in Proverbs speaks truth, doesn’t it! Rehoboam didn’t follow its advice. How about you? Are you good at showing gentleness in tense situations?

Well… that’s not a great start to the post-Solomon era. Today we have read about the start of a divided nation; a nation that is often engaged in civil war. Will Jeroboam, the king chosen to rule the northern section, fare any better? We’ll find out tomorrow. Remember, however, that all of these events were part of God’s plan and design. We can understand the highs and lows of Israel and Judah better now in the light of Jesus than they would have been able to see at the time.

Isn’t it encouraging that even in tough times, everything is under the supervision of God? We can continue to trust in His providence and use that to sustain us, even if the world around us is full of darkness, hardship and sad events.