2 Chronicles

2 Chronicles 10: The kingdom is divided

Begin in prayer

Before we read how Rehoboam answered the people and the kingdom was split, let us pray. Ask God to show us that His word always comes true, and to turn our eyes to the Son of David.

Oh that my people would listen to me, that Israel would walk in my ways!

Psalm 81:13

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Show us that Your word always comes true, even when a king will not listen. Help us to see Jesus, the Son of David. 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, where all Israel has come to make him king. Jeroboam, who had fled to Egypt from Solomon, returns, and the people ask the new king to make their heavy yoke lighter. Rehoboam asks for three days, and the old men who served Solomon tell him to be kind and speak good words. He abandons their advice and asks the young men who grew up with him, who tell him to be harsher. Rehoboam answers the people roughly, and they leave for their tents, asking, “What portion have we in David?” Only the Israelites in the cities of Judah stay under him, and Israel rebels against David's house.

As you read 2 Chronicles 10, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

The LORD kept His word that the kingdom would divide, after Rehoboam refused to listen.

All Israel gathered at Shechem to make Rehoboam king, and asked him to lighten Solomon's heavy yoke (verses 1 to 4). A yoke is the wooden bar that fits on the neck of an ox, and here it means hard labor. Rehoboam took three days, and the old men who had served Solomon told him to be kind (verses 5 to 7). He dropped their advice and asked the young men he grew up with, and answered the people roughly (verses 8 to 14). Yet the text says it was brought about by God, so that the LORD might establish His word (verse 15). Earlier the prophet Ahijah had told Jeroboam that the kingdom would be torn (1 Kings 11 verses 29 to 31). Both things are true, for the LORD kept His word, and Rehoboam chose his rough answer. This matters because nothing a king decides can cancel what God has said. It shows a God whose word stands, even through a foolish king.

How does 2 Chronicles 10 show us that the LORD kept His word that the kingdom would divide, after Rehoboam refused to listen?

The people asked Rehoboam for a lighter yoke.

Jeroboam came back from Egypt, where he had fled from Solomon (verse 2). He and all Israel asked Rehoboam to make the grievous service of his father lighter (verses 3 and 4). They said they would serve him if he did (verse 4). Rehoboam told them to come again after three days (verse 5).

Rehoboam abandoned the old men's counsel and followed the young men.

The old men said that if he was kind to the people, they would be his servants forever (verses 6 and 7). Rehoboam abandoned their counsel and asked the young men who grew up with him (verse 8). The young men told him to say that he would add to the yoke (verses 10 and 11). He answered the people roughly, as they said (verses 13 and 14).

The LORD brought it about, and the kingdom divided.

The text says the king did not listen, for it was brought about by God (verse 15). The people asked, “What portion have we in David?” and went to their tents (verse 16). Rehoboam sent Hadoram, and the people stoned him to death (verse 18). So Israel rebelled against David's house, and only Judah stayed with Rehoboam (verses 17 and 19).

Jesus is the Son of David, and He gathers one flock.

Israel said they had no share in David (verse 16). The angel told Mary that Jesus would reign over the house of Jacob forever (Luke 1 verses 31 to 33). Jesus said He has other sheep, and they will become one flock with one shepherd (John 10 verse 16). Rehoboam's kingdom was torn in two, but Jesus gathers His people into one.

Memorise

for it was brought about by God, that Yahweh might establish his word, which he spoke by Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam the son of Nebat.

2 Chronicles 10:15

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, if Jesus speaks to me, will I listen to Him and trust Him?

Rehoboam would not listen, and the kingdom of David was torn apart. The people cried, “What portion have we in David?” Jesus is the Son of David, and the angel said He will reign over the house of Jacob forever (Luke 1 verses 32 and 33).

Our sin has torn us away from God, and no king can mend it. Jesus went to the cross for His sheep, and by His death their sin was fully paid for. Then He rose from the grave, and He reigns as the shepherd who gathers one flock (John 10 verse 16).

So come to Him. Turn from your sin and put your trust in Jesus. Everyone who trusts Him will be forgiven and gathered into His flock.

Parent's note

Tell your children that the LORD kept His word when the kingdom divided, and that Jesus is the Son of David. Parents, verses 10 to 18 tell of harsh words and a man stoned to death, so please explain them gently. 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 always stands, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

Let Israel now say that his loving kindness endures forever.

Psalm 118:2

Lord God, thank You that Your word stands even when kings will not listen. Thank You for Jesus, the Son of David, who died and rose for sinners. Please help each of us to listen to Him, turn from sin and trust Him. Amen.