Day 118 · Part 8: Two Kingdoms
The Kingdom Torn in Two
In the Story
In context
About 930 BC, all Israel gathers at Shechem to make Solomon’s son Rehoboam king, with Jeroboam back from Egypt. “Your father made our yoke difficult,” they say; if Rehoboam will make it lighter, “we will serve you” (1 Kings 12:1–4). Solomon’s old advisers tell him to answer kindly; the young men he grew up with tell him to say, “My father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions,” and he does (12:6–14).
Israel answers with nearly the words Sheba once shouted against David: “What portion have we in David?” (12:16; 2 Samuel 20:1). They stone Adoram, the officer over forced labor, to death, and make Jeroboam king; only the tribe of Judah follows David’s house (1 Kings 12:18–20). From here the Bible follows two kingdoms, Israel in the north and Judah in the south. The prophet Shemaiah stops Rehoboam from going to war against “your brothers” (12:21–24).
Afraid his people will turn back to Rehoboam, Jeroboam sets up two calves of gold at Bethel and Dan: “Look and behold your gods, Israel, which brought you up out of the land of Egypt,” nearly the words said of the golden calf at Sinai (12:26–29; Exodus 32:4). Priests, Levites and others who “set their hearts to seek Yahweh” go to Judah (2 Chronicles 11:13–16).
“Come to me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28–30 · Israel asked Rehoboam for a lighter yoke and was promised a heavier one; Jesus says, “my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
For families
Rehoboam asked two groups for advice: the old men who had served his father Solomon, and the young men he had grown up with. He took the young men’s advice (1 Kings 12:6–14). 2 Chronicles says he had twenty-eight sons and sixty daughters, and he “dealt wisely” in sending some of his sons out to the fortified cities of Judah and Benjamin with plenty of food (2 Chronicles 11:21–23).
Rehoboam asked two groups for advice. When your family has a big choice to make, who do you talk it over with?
In the Bible
World English Bible, as published by eBible.org (public domain).
1 Kings 12
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2 Chronicles 10
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2 Chronicles 11
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A hymn for today
Just As I Am · words by Charlotte Elliott
- Just as I am, without one plea,But that Thy blood was shed for me,And that Thou bidd'st me come to Thee,O Lamb of God, I come, I come!
- Just as I am, and waiting notTo rid my soul of one dark blot,To Thee whose blood can cleanse each spot,O Lamb of God, I come, I come!
- Just as I am, though tossed aboutWith many a conflict, many a doubt,Fightings and fears within, without,O Lamb of God, I come, I come!
- Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind;Sight, riches, healing of the mind,Yea, all I need, in Thee to find,O Lamb of God, I come, I come!
- Just as I am, Thou wilt receive,Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;Because Thy promise I believe,O Lamb of God, I come, I come!
- Just as I am, Thy love unknownHath broken every barrier down;Now, to be Thine, yea, Thine alone,O Lamb of God, I come, I come!