1 Kings

1 Kings 12: The kingdom divides as God said

Begin in prayer

Before we read about the division of the kingdom, let us come to the Lord together. Ask Him to make us listen to His word, and to show us the King who came to serve.

We give thanks to you, God. We give thanks, for your Name is near. Men tell about your wondrous works.

Psalm 75:1

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Show us that Your word stands, and help us to trust You and Your Son, Jesus. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

Rehoboam goes to Shechem to be made king, and Jeroboam returns from Egypt. The people ask him to lighten the heavy yoke his father had put on them. He rejects the advice of the old men and follows the young men, who tell him to make the yoke heavier. Israel rebels, and only Judah and Benjamin stay with Rehoboam. Jeroboam makes two golden calves, and he sets up priests and a feast of his own devising, and the people sin.

As you read 1 Kings 12, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

The LORD's word stands, and the kingdom divides as He said.

Rehoboam went to Shechem, where all Israel had gathered to make him king (verse 1). The people asked him to lighten the heavy yoke his father Solomon had laid on them, and they would serve him (verse 4). Rehoboam rejected the old men's advice, took the young men's, and answered the people roughly (verses 8 to 14). The writer says the LORD brought this about, so that He would establish the word He spoke by Ahijah to Jeroboam (verse 15). Israel went home, and Jeroboam became their king (verses 16 to 20). Rehoboam gathered an army, but the LORD told him through Shemaiah not to fight, and they went home (verses 21 to 24). Jeroboam then made two golden calves, so that his people would not go up to worship in Jerusalem (verses 26 to 29). The division was the LORD's word coming true, and the calves were Jeroboam's own sin (verses 15 and 30). Jesus, the Son of David, came to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many (Mark 10 verse 45).

How does 1 Kings 12 show us that the LORD's word stands, and that the kingdom divides as He said?

The LORD's word stands, and the kingdom divides.

The chapter says the division was from the LORD, to establish the word He spoke through Ahijah (verse 15). Ahijah had told Jeroboam that the LORD would tear ten tribes from Solomon's house (1 Kings 11 verse 31). So the LORD's word stood, and the kingdom divided as He had said.

Rehoboam chooses harsh counsel.

The old men told him to serve the people, and the people would serve him forever (verse 7). Rehoboam chose the young men's advice, and he answered the people roughly (verses 8 and 13). Israel rebelled against David's house, and Rehoboam fled to Jerusalem (verses 16 and 18).

Christ came as the servant King.

Rehoboam refused to serve the people, and the kingdom was torn from him (verses 7 and 16). Jesus came to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many (Mark 10 verse 45). He said that He is among His people as one who serves (Luke 22 verse 27).

Memorise

You shall not go up or fight against your brothers, the children of Israel. Everyone return to his house; for this thing is from me.

1 Kings 12:24

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, do I listen to God's word, or follow voices that lead me away?

Rehoboam would not serve the people, and the kingdom was torn from his hand. Jesus is the Son of David who took the way Rehoboam refused. He came among His people as one who serves.

His service ended on a cross, where He gave His life as a ransom for many. They laid Him in a tomb, and God raised Him from the dead and declared Him His Son with power. Nothing is missing from His ransom.

So come to Him, turn from your sin, and put your trust in Jesus. The LORD's word stands, and that word calls every sinner to the Servant King. He will not turn away anyone who comes to Him.

Parent's note

Tell your children that the LORD's word stands, and that Jesus came as the servant King. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God that His word stands, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

For his loving kindness is great toward us. Yahweh’s faithfulness endures forever. Praise Yah!

Psalm 117:2

Father, thank You that Your truth endures forever, and that Your word stands. Thank You for Jesus, the servant King, who gave Himself for His people. Please help each of us to turn from every false god and trust Him. Help us to listen to Your word this week, and keep us close to You. Amen.