1. The First Three Kings of the Southern Kingdom: Rehoboam, Abijah and Asa 2 Chronicles, Chapter 10 - 16

3. Review: (2 Chronicles 10) Why did Rehoboam lose the northern half of the Kingdom of Israel? Because of his father, Solomon’s disobedience. Too many wives, too many horses, too much wealth, too much worshipping of idols! Because he (Rehoboam) listened to the wrong people. No relief from forced labor and high taxes. Rehoboam increased the burden of the people! Jeroboam and 10 tribes become the Northern Kingdom and Rehoboam is left with the tribes of Judah and Benjamin (the Southern Kingdom).

4. Rehoboam Meets Shemaiah (2 Chron. 11) Rehoboam Meets Shemaiah (2 Chron. 11) In response to the rebellion of the 10 tribes, Rehoboam prepares to retaliate against Israel. But through the prophet Shemaiah, the Lord tells Rehoboam to back off—that “this is my doing”... Rehoboam obeys the Lord and abandons his plans. What happens in Judah for the next three years? Judah’s defenses are strengthened. Judah’s defenses are strengthened. A place for faithful worship is created. A place for faithful worship is created. All the priests & Levites come to Judah—why? Time of great prosperity and peace. Time of great prosperity and peace.

5. Rehoboam Loses His Way (2 Chron. 12) After getting established and strong, Rehoboam abandons the way of the Lord. Puts his trust in his own power & might. Worships false gods (Mom = Ammonite). “You have abandoned me; therefore, I now abandon you to Shishak.” Shishak, the king of Egypt attacks Judah with a large force and captures the fortified cities. He penetrates into Judah as far as Jerusalem. Shemaiah returns with a message from the Lord—what is it?

6. How does Rehoboam and all of Judah respond? The leaders of Israel and the king humbled themselves and said, “The LORD is just.” The Lord responds by preventing the destruction of Jerusalem. Great treasures from both the temple and the royal palace are still carried off… Also the Lord allows Judah to still be subject to the reign of Shishak for a while. WHY? “…so that they may learn the difference between serving me and serving the kings of other lands.”

7. Fill In The “Kings and Prophets Summary Chart” Rehoboam (17 year reign) God’s spokesman: Shemaiah What do you think? God’s message: What do you think? King’s response to God and His Message: What do you think? What do you think? What do you think? Result: What do you think?

8. Abijah, King of Judah (2 Chronicles 13) Rehoboam’s son, Abijah, became king of Judah. He reigned for 3 years. He was at war with the Northern Kingdom. Read his speech in chapter 13. What are his main arguments against Israel? Abijah was nearly surrounded and ambushed but God can Abijah the victory for the sake of His promise to David (1 Kgs 15). Why? “He committed all the sins his father had done before him; his heart was not fully devoted to the LORD his God…”

9. Fill In The “Kings and Prophets Summary Chart” Abijah (3 year reign) God’s spokesman: None recorded. God’s message: None recorded. King’s response to God and His Message: What do you think? What do you think? What do you think? Result: What do you think?

10. Asa Becomes King of Judah (2 Chronicles 14) Asa, son of Abijah, became king and reigned over Judah for 41 years. He spent the first 35 years of his doing “what was right in the eyes of the LORD.” He got rid of the idol worship and told the people to seek the Lord. He led them in obeying the Law. He built back up Judah’s defenses—but credited the Lord. Ten years of peace followed. Zerah (Ethiopian) takes a huge army & attacks Judah. What does King Asa do? “LORD, there is no one like you to help the powerless against the mighty. Help us, LORD our God, for we rely on you, and in your name we have come against this vast army. LORD, you are our God; do not let mere mortals prevail against you.”

11. Good King Asa (2 Chronicles 15) The Lord struck down Zerah and the Cushites. Later the word of the Lord came to a prophet named Azariah. What was the gist of his message? “The LORD is with you when you are with him. If you seek him, he will be found by you, If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will forsake you.” In response to this message, King Asa continued his reform movement in Judah. He got rid of the idols in the newly captured towns in Ephraim and also repaired the Temple. He got rid of the idols in the newly captured towns in Ephraim and also repaired the Temple. He put a stop to the open worship of false gods. Even taking on his own grandmother! He put a stop to the open worship of false gods. Even taking on his own grandmother! He led the people in a big covenant renewal service. God then provided a long period of rest. He led the people in a big covenant renewal service. God then provided a long period of rest.

12. Bad King Asa (2 Chronicles 16) 36 years into Asa’s reign as king, Baasha, the king of Israel, created a blockade against Judah. Instead of calling upon the Lord for help, Asa entered into a treaty with the king of Aram (Syria). Instead of calling upon the Lord for help, Asa entered into a treaty with the king of Aram (Syria). Asa won the military victory but his spurning of God led to a word of judgment from the prophet, Hanai. Hanini reminded Asa of God’s prior faithfulness. Hanini reminded Asa of God’s prior faithfulness. He said that Asa’s foolish treaty would result in many more wars as Aram would grow stronger. He said that Asa’s foolish treaty would result in many more wars as Aram would grow stronger. Hanini’s message angered King Asa. Asa threw Hanini in jail and even went so far as to oppress some of his own people! Asa threw Hanini in jail and even went so far as to oppress some of his own people! Over time, Asa contracted a painful disease in his feet. He consulted doctors but never sought the Lord. Asa died in misery his old age. Over time, Asa contracted a painful disease in his feet. He consulted doctors but never sought the Lord. Asa died in misery his old age.

13. Fill In The “Kings and Prophets Summary Chart” Asa (41 year reign) God’s spokesman: Azariah and Hanani. What do you think? God’s message: What do you think? (Hint: There are two messages!) King’s response to God and His Message: What do you think? What do you think? (Hint: There are two responses!) (Hint: There are two responses!) What do you think? Result: What do you think? (Yup, there are two responses again!)

14. HOMEWORK FOR THURSDAY, JANUARY 27th Due on Tuesday, February 2nd Read 2 Chronicles 17 – 20 Read 2 Chronicles 17 – 20 (King Jehoshaphat) (King Jehoshaphat) Blog on “A Matter of the Heart” Blog on “A Matter of the Heart”