Rehoboam And Jeroboam Series

January 28, 2023

Solomon reigned over Israel for 40 years. He was successful in many areas of his life, but he also made choices that led to catastrophic failures and consequences that would lead to the division of the nation.

Jeroboam worked for Solomon. A prophet of God told him that, because of Solomon’s infidelity, Israel would be divided and 10 tribes would go with him. Solomon tried to have Jeroboam killed, but he fled to Egypt and remained there until Solomon’s death.

When Solomon died, his son, Rehoboam, was declared king, so, when Jeroboam returned from Egypt, he and all the assembly of Israel went to him with a request:

• 1 Kings 12:4 and 2 Chronicles 10:4 - Your father made our yoke heavy; now lighten the hard labor of your father and the heavy yoke which he placed on us, and we will serve you.

Rehoboam took counsel with the elders who had served his father and was advised to do as the people requested – “Deal kindly with the people and they will serve you faithfully.” He didn’t like that advise, so he sought counsel from the young men he had grown up with. Here’s what they said:

• 1 Kings 12:10-11 - …. say to the people: My little finger is thicker than my father’s loins. So then, my father loaded a heavy yoke on all of you, but I will add to your yoke; my father disciplined you with whips, but I will discipline you with scorpions!

This can only end poorly……….

• 1 Kings 12:16 - When all of Israel saw that the king would not listen to them, the people answered the king, saying, “What share do we have in David? There is no inheritance in the son of Jesse. To your tents, Israel! Now look to your house, David!” Then Israel went to their tents.

All Israel made Jeroboam king, “Not one followed after the house of David except the tribe of Judah alone.” – 1 Kings 12:20

Rehoboam assembled 180,000 troops from Judah and Benjamin, intending to squash the rebellion, but was stopped short when he was told it was Yahweh who had decreed the division of the nation. Civil war was averted and everyone went home.

Both Jeroboam and Rehoboam began to rule in 931 BC.

Over in Israel:

Jeroboam: Reigned for 22 years (931-910 BC) = EVIL.

Jeroboam was afraid the people would go to worship at the Temple, so he had 2 golden calves made. He set up temples and appointed his own priests – because the priests and Levites had all gone to Judah. He created feast days and led the people in the worship of idols.

God sent a young prophet with a message:

• 1 Kings 13:2-3 - …. O altar, altar! This is what the LORD says: “A son named Josiah will be born to the house of David. On you he will sacrifice the priests of the high places who now make offerings here, and human bones will be burned on you. This is the sign the LORD has declared: The altar will be split apart and the ashes on it will be poured out."

Jeroboam had a fit, but, right in the middle of his tantrum, 2 things happened: his hand shriveled up and the altar split in ½, all the ash spilling to the ground.

• 1 Kings 13:6 - Then the king said, "Intercede with Yahweh your God and pray for me that my hand may be restored."

The young man interceded and the king's hand was restored. The young man was invited home for lunch, but he declined.

Yahweh had specifically told this prophet, “Get in and get out. Don’t linger. Don’t stop to smell the flowers. Don’t eat, don’t drink just say what I tell you to say and go home”.

The Story within The Story

The young prophet headed for home. But then, he decided to linger – prophesying can be tiring after all – so, he reigned in his donkey under an oak tree and took a nap.

This is where the story takes a tragic turn. By not obeying all the way to the border and choosing instead to rest under the oak tree this young prophet was playing a very dangerous game – a game that will cost him his life.

An old prophet, whose sons had been at the altar, went looking for the younger man and invited him home. He would not take no for an answer, insisting that an angel from Yahweh had instructed him to invite the young man home (he was lying).

What SHOULD the young prophet have done?

“No thanks, Yahweh was very clear and He has not spoken to me directly of a change of plans.”