A parallel account of the fall of Rehoboam

• When Jereboam abolished the Levite priesthood in the North, the Levites moved south ( 11:13-16)
• Rehoboam, like his father Solomon, had many wives and concubines (vs 18-21)
• Like many others, when Rehoboam was established he forssok the law of the LORD, and he led others to do so also (12:1)
• God sent Shemiah the prophet to warn the people about their sin; and the people repented. (vs 5-8).
• Rehoboam did evil because he did not prepare his heart to seek the Lord ( 2 Chronicles 12:14 ). What preparations have you made to seek the Lord?

North and South in sin

Jereboam, through his wife, is told that he will lose his kingdom (vs 1-16)

His 22-year reign is ended (vs 20)

The southern tribes fell into idolatry, too (vs 22-24)

• high places
• images
• groves
• sodomites
• heathen abominations

Shishak the Egyptian king invaded Judah and carried away the golden treasures of the Lord’s house (vs 25-26)

Jereboam could have had it all…

Jereboam received authority over the 10 northern tribes of Israel because Solomon’s love for God had dissipated.

Sadly, Jereboam loved God less than Solomon did; and Jereboam, also, lost his kingdom.

• he encouraged people not to go to Jerusalem to the Lord’s temple (1 Kings 12)
• he made 2 golden calves to represent God (remember Aaron’s sin)
• he established worship centers in Bethel and Dan
• he made high place temples
• he abandoned the Levite priesthood
• he established his own holidays and religious feasts to mimic those of Israel
• he offered sacrifices upon his own altar

God sent an unnamed prophet to denounce Jereboam (I Kings 13)

Jereboam, resisting the prophet, saw his hand wither, and begged the prophet to pray for him (vs 5-6)

Contrary to God’s command, the prophet was distracted from his journey home, believed a lie, and he subsequently lost his life because of his disobedience.

The religious liar who tempted the man of God, requested to be buried alongside the dead prophet

Today’s reading: vs 42-43 of 1 Kings 11, 1 Kings 12 and the parallel in 2 Chronicles 10, and vs 1-4 of 2 Chronicles 11

• Solomon reigned 40 years; and he was succeeded by his son Rehoboam
• Instead of ingratiating himself to the people, Rehoboam alienated himself. All of this because he forsook the wisdom of his elders.
• The majority of the land rebelled against Rehoboam’s strong-arm tactics, and they allied themselves behind Jereboam. Thus was God’s promise/threat to divide the land under Jerboam fulfilled.
• When Rehoboam proposed to stop the insurrection, God forbade it.

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