A Divided Kingdom: The Books of I & II Kings Division of the Kingdom I Kings Chapter 12

Announcements

I Kings WeekDateTopic 105 Sep 12Introduction 212 Sep 12Fight For the Kingdom: I Ki Sep 12Solomon Begins His Reign: I Ki Sep 12Solomon Builds The Temple: I Ki Oct 12Splendor of Solomon’s Kingdom: I Ki Oct 12Solomon’s Demise: I Ki Oct 12Division of the Kingdom: I Ki: Oct 12Early History of the Kingdoms, Pt 1: I Ki 12:25-16: Oct 12Early History of the Kingdoms, Pt 2: I Ki 12:25-16: Nov 12Stories of Elijah: I Ki 17:1-19: Nov 12War with Syria: I Ki 20: Nov 12More Stories of Elijah: I Ki 21:1-21: Nov 12Ahab’s Final Battle: I Ki 22:1-53

Today’s Objectives Review last weeks lesson Review historical maps of Israel and the region Learn the test the Israelites used to determine if they would follow Rehoboam Discover how Jeroboam became king of Israel Learn how Rehoboam became king of Judah and musters Judah and Benjamin to fight Israel Learn why and how Jeroboam creates his own religion

Last Week’s Lesson Reviewed last week’s lesson Reviewed historical maps of Israel and the region Learned about Solomon’s unlawful marriages Learned why Solomon turns to pagan gods Learned about God’s judgment upon Solomon Reviewed how God raises two enemies against Solomon Saw how and why God chooses Jeroboam to rule 10 tribes of Israel

Overview of I and II Kings Originally one book –Early Greek manuscripts of the OT combined the books of Samuel and Kings under the title of "kingdoms," or "reigns" –Kings was broken into two books for convenience sake because of its length (Greek translation) Authorship –Some portions of the book identical to the book of Jeremiah –Jeremiah would have personal knowledge of some contents –Evidence that Ezra was the author after the Babylonian captivity Timeline –Approximately 400 years, written between 560 B.C. and 538 B.C. –Start: Death of David in 971 B.C. –End: Jehoiachin's release from a Babylonian prison in 562 B.C.

Overview of I and II Kings Books of Samuel and Kings cover Israel's period as a nation under a king: –I Samuel: Life of Saul –II Samuel: Life of David –I Kings: Solomon and the divided kingdom –II Kings: The fall of the divided kingdoms of Israel and Judah Content of I and II Kings –47 chapters (I Ki – 22 chapters, II Ki – 25 chapters) –History of the Jewish commonwealth –Death of David to subjugation to Babylonians

Purpose –Imparting of great moral lessons backed up by well- known illustrations –Religious history –Focused upon kings rather than prophets Key Lesson –God does not fail His people; His people, led by their kings, have failed God –God’s covenant has the contingency of Israel’s faithfulness –Covenant also promises a return from exile those that return to God Overview of I and II Kings

Main Characters of Chapters 11 Solomon – David’s youngest son and the third king of Israel Rehoboam – Son of Solomon, briefly became king of Israel, then cast out, then ruled Judah Jeroboam – One of Solomon's officials who Ahijah told would rule over 10 tribes of Israel Ahijah – from Shiloh, delivered four prophecies –Split of Israel into 10 tribes and 2 tribes –Death of Abija, Jeroboam’s son –Destruction of Jeroboam’s house –Captivity of Israel beyond the river

Rehoboam Briefly Rules Israel (1 Kings 12:1-5) Rehoboam goes to Shechem to become king –Only son of Solomon that we know by name –Shechem was 34 miles north of Jerusalem –Rehoboam was dealing from a position of weakness Jeroboam hears about the event –Part of the group of elders who addresses Rehoboam People wanted relief from heavy taxation –Remember, God had warned the people (1 Sam 8) –No spiritual demands were made, only financial

Advise of Rehoboam’s Advisors (1 Kings 12:6-11) Rehoboam consults the elders –If you will be a servant to these people, then they will be your servants forever –The right advice Rehoboam consults his younger advisors –He rejects the advice of the elders –Young men advise him –Opposite of the elder’s advice –Decided to increase the burden of the people

Rehoboam Answers the Elders Harshly (1 Kings 12:12-15) Rehoboam did not listen to the people –Very foolish upon Rehoboam’s part –Solomon worried about this too (Ecc 2:18-19) –Result from Solomon’s sin and Rehoboam’s foolishness Turn of events was from the Lord –God had caused these events to happen –Rehoboam takes an unwise course of action –Remember Ahija’s words to Jeroboam

Israel Rejects Rehoboam (1 Kings 12:16-19) Israel rejects Rehoboam –And the entire dynasty of David All Israel stones Adoram, Rehoboam’s chief tax collector –Adoram was famous for his harshness (1 Ki 4:6, 5:14) Israel remained in rebellion against the house of David –History of tension dates back to earlier rebellions including Absalom (2 Sam 19:40-43) and Sheba (2 Sam 20:1-2)

Rehoboam Seeks Unification by Force (1 Kings 12:20-24) Jeroboam is made king –Ahija’s prophecy comes true (1 Ki 11:29-39) Rehoboam unites Judah and Benjamin in order to make war against Israel –Raises an army of 180,000 men –God sends a message through Shemaiah to not fight the Northern Kingdom –Every man must return to his house –Shemaiah not mentioned again –Rehoboam decides to obey God and not attack

Jeroboam’s Idolatry (1 Kings 12:25-33) Jeroboam builds Shechem in Ephraim –Became the capital of the northern kingdom He creates a religion to serve the state –Worried about people worshipping at Jerusalem –Still under the law of Moses – people would want to go to Jerusalem, he would lose power and influence –Breaks the promise made with God and builds two idols, golden calves, and places them in Bethel and Dan (see Ex 32:4) Jeroboam creates his own religion –Own rules, priests from every class

Review Review last weeks lesson Review historical maps of Israel and the region Learn the test the Israelites used to determine if they would follow Rehoboam Discover how Jeroboam became king of Israel Learn how Rehoboam became king of Judah and musters Judah and Benjamin to fight Israel Learn why and how Jeroboam creates his own religion Early History of the Kingdoms, Pt 1: I Ki 13:1- 16:34