The Rise and Fall of the Divided Kingdom

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The Rise and Fall of the Divided Kingdom

• Lesson 1 The Kingdom Divides
• I Ki. 12-14 II Ch. 11-1216
• For whatever things were written before were
  written for our learning, that we through the
  patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have
  hope. (Romans 154)
• Now all these things happened to them as
  examples, and they were written for our
  admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have
  come. (I Corinthians 1011)

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Introduction

• Why did the kingdom become divided?
• Therefore the LORD said to Solomon, Because
  you have done this, and have not kept My covenant
  and My statutes, which I have commanded you, I
  will surely tear the kingdom away from you and
  give it to your servant (I Ki. 119-13).
• Rehoboam inherits the Solomons throne beset with
  problems and makes a bad decision with serious
  consequences.
• Jeroboam rules the 10 tribes and builds a
  foundation of evil for all the succeeding kings.
• Jeroboam sets up idol worship to prevent Israel
  from going to Jerusalem for worship.
• Key Lesson Make good decisions based upon sound
  advise and influences. Remember - Every decision
  has consequences.

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Introduction

• After the death of King Solomon, the nation of
  Israel splits into two kingdoms (Refer to 1
  Kings, 2 Kings, 2 Chronicles, Jeremiah).

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Discussion Questions

• Who was Rehoboam and Jeroboam (I Ki. 1126-40
  121-6 II Ch. 101-5)? What was the "heavy
  yoke" Solomon placed on the people (I Ki. 47
  513-15 I Sm. 811-18)?
• Jeroboam Then Solomons servant, Jeroboam the
  son of Nebat, an Ephraimite also rebelled
  against the kingThe man Jeroboam was a mighty
  man of valor and Solomon, seeing that the young
  man was industrious, made him the officer over
  all the labor force of the house of Joseph
  Solomon therefore sought to kill Jeroboam. But
  Jeroboam arose and fled to Egypt, to Shishak king
  of Egypt, and was in Egypt until the death of
  Solomon (II Ki. 1126-40).
• Rehoboam And Rehoboam went to Shechem, for all
  Israel had gone to Shechem to make him king (1
  Ki. 121).
• The heavy yoke - Then Jeroboam and the whole
  assembly of Israel came and spoke to Rehoboam,
  saying, Your father made our yoke heavy now
  therefore, lighten the burdensome service of your
  father, and his heavy yoke which he put on us,
  and we will serve you (II Ki. 122-6).

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Discussion Questions

• Who was Rehoboam and Jeroboam (I Ki. 1126-40
  121-6 II Ch. 101-5)? What was the "heavy
  yoke" Solomon placed on the people (I Ki. 47
  513-15 I Sm. 811-18)?
• Governors provided provisions for the king And
  Solomon had twelve governors over all Israel, who
  provided food for the king and his household
  each one made provision for one month of the
  year (47).
• Labor force from Israel Then King Solomon
  raised up a labor force out of all Israel and
  the labor force was thirty thousand men. And he
  sent them to Lebanon, ten thousand a month in
  shifts they were one month in Lebanon and two
  months at home Adoniram was in charge of the
  labor force. Solomon had seventy thousand who
  carried burdens, and eighty thousand who quarried
  stone in the mountains (513-15).
• Samuels warning And he said, This will be
  the behavior of the king who will reign over you
  He will (I Sm. 811-18).

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Discussion Questions

• Who advised Rehoboam (I Ki. 126-15 II Ch.
  106-15)? What advice was given and what advice
  was accepted?
• Elders advise And they spoke to him, saying,
  If you will be a servant to these people today,
  and serve them, and answer them, and speak good
  words to them, then they will be your servants
  forever (127). REJECTED!!!
• Young men and personal friends advise Then the
  young men who had grown up with him spoke to him,
  saying, Thus you should speak to this people who
  have spoken to you, saying, Your father made our
  yoke heavy, but you make it lighter on usthus
  you shall say to them My little finger shall be
  thicker than my fathers waist! And now, whereas
  my father put a heavy yoke on you, I will add to
  your yoke my father chastised you with whips,
  but I will chastise you with scourges!
  (1210-11). ACCEPTED!!!
• It is dangerous for rulers to not listen to the
  people. People do not always put up with selfish
  and inconsiderate rulers (i.e. USA Republic). -
  So the king did not listen to the people for
  the turn of events was from the LORD, that He
  might fulfill His word (1215).

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Discussion Questions

• How did Israel react to Rehoboam's message (I Ki.
  1212-24 II Ch. 1016-19)?
• Israel had no part with David (i.e. Judah) Now
  when all Israel saw that the king did not listen
  to them, the people answered the king, saying
  What share have we in David? We have no
  inheritance in the son of Jesse. To your tents, O
  Israel! Now, see to your own house, O David!
  (1216).
• Rehobams tax collector was killed But
  Rehoboam reigned over the children of Israel who
  dwelt in the cities of Judah. Then King Rehoboam
  sent Adoram, who was in charge of the revenue
  but all Israel stoned him with stones, and he
  died. Therefore King Rehoboam mounted his chariot
  in haste to flee to Jerusalem. So Israel has been
  in rebellion against the house of David to this
  day (1217-19).
• Jeroboam is made king Now it came to pass when
  all Israel heard that Jeroboam had come back,
  they sent for him and called him to the
  congregation, and made him king over all Israel
  (1220).

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Discussion Questions

• Describe the family and reign of Rehoboam (I Ki.
  1421-28 II Ch. 11 - 1216). What
  embarrassment and mistakes did Rehoboam face?
• Ammonite mother - Naamah, an Ammonitess
  (1421).
• Rehoboams mistakes Now Judah did evil in the
  sight of the LORD, and they provoked Him to
  jealousy with their sins which they committed,
  more than all that their fathers had done. For
  they also built for themselves high places,
  sacred pillars, and wooden images on every high
  hill and under every green tree. And there were
  also perverted persons in the land. They did
  according to all the abominations of the nations
  which the LORD had cast out before the children
  of Israel (1422-24).
• Temple treasuries removed Shishak king of
  Egypt came up against Jerusalem. And he took away
  the treasures of the house of the LORD and the
  treasures of the kings house he took away
  everything. He also took away all the gold
  shields which Solomon had made. Then King
  Rehoboam made bronze shields in their place
  (1425-27).

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Discussion Questions

• Why was Rehoboam a failure (II Ch. 1213-16 I
  Ki. 1421, 29-31)? How many years did he reign
  and who succeeded him?
• A legacy of civil war and division - And there
  was war between Rehoboam and Jeroboam all their
  days. So Rehoboam rested with his fathers, and
  was buried with his fathers in the City of David.
  His mothers name was Naamah, an Ammonitess. Then
  Abijam his son reigned in his place (1430-31).
• Rehoboam reigns 17 years and is succeeded by
  Abijam, his son And Rehoboam the son of
  Solomon reigned in Judah. Rehoboam was forty-one
  years old when he became king. He reigned
  seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city which the
  LORD had chosen out of all the tribes of Israel,
  to put His name there. His mothers name was
  Naamah, an Ammonitess (1421).

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Discussion Questions

• What did Jeroboam do to prevent Israel to return
  to worship at Jerusalem (I Ki. 1225-33
  1333-34)?
• Set up idol worship in Northern and Southern
  Israel - Therefore the king asked advice, made
  two calves of gold, and said to the people, It
  is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem. Here
  are your gods, O Israel, which brought you up
  from the land of Egypt! And he set up one in
  Bethel, and the other he put in Dan. Now this
  thing became a sin, for the people went to
  worship before the one as far as Dan. He made
  shrines on the high places, and made priests from
  every class of people, who were not of the sons
  of Levi (1228-30).
• Set up feasts and priests Jeroboam ordained a
  feast on the fifteenth day of the eighth month,
  like the feast that was in Judah, and offered
  sacrifices on the altarAnd he ordained a feast
  for the children of Israel, and offered
  sacrifices on the altar and burned incense
  (1232-33).

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Discussion Questions

• What did Jeroboam do to prevent Israel to return
  to worship at Jerusalem (I Ki. 1225-33
  1333-34)? Cont
• Why? And Jeroboam said in his heart, Now the
  kingdom may return to the house of David If
  these people go up to offer sacrifices in the
  house of the LORD at Jerusalem, then the heart of
  this people will turn back to their lord,
  Rehoboam king of Judah, and they will kill me and
  go back to Rehoboam king of Judah (1226-27).
• Jeroboam was bent on doing evil after being
  warned After this event Jeroboam did not turn
  from his evil way, but again he made priests from
  every class of people for the high places
  whoever wished, he consecrated him, and he became
  one of the priests of the high places. And this
  thing was the sin of the house of Jeroboam, so as
  to exterminate and destroy it from the face of
  the earth (1333-34).

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Discussion Questions

• Lesson To Learn Be careful that convenience
  does not become more important than conviction.
  (Ac. 2424-25 I Sm. 1522-23 138-14 Mt.
  1032-33 Mk. 838)
• God commands - not forsaking the assembling of
  ourselves together (Hb. 1025).
• Obedience is not always convenient (i.e.
  traveling 1.5 hours to attend worship, attending
  a closer place even though not practicing truth,
  etc.).
• Felix responds to Paul preaching and says, Go
  away for now when I have a convenient time I
  will call for you.
• Sauls bad example - To obey is better than
  sacrifice.
• Stand up for Jesus For whoever is ashamed of
  Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful
  generation, of him the Son of Man also will be
  ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father
  with the holy angels (Mk. 838 cf. Mt.
  1032-33).

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Discussion Questions

• Lesson To Learn Beware that true worship can
  be changed just enough to keep people in error
  and away from God. (Jh. 424 Lev. 101-2 Mt.
  157 Hb. 85 Hos. 46 Mal. 16-14 38-10)
• We must worship in both spirit and truth.
• Our worship can be vain due to a lack of
  knowledge And in vain they worship Me,
  Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men
  (Mt. 159).
• My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge
  (Hos. 46).
• Then Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each
  took his censer and put fire in it, put incense
  on it, and offered profane fire before the LORD,
  which He had not commanded them. So fire went out
  from the LORD and devoured them, and they died
  before the LORD (Lev. 101-2).

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Discussion Questions

• Lesson To Learn Beware that true worship can
  be changed just enough to keep people in error
  and away from God. (Jh. 424 Lev. 101-2 Mt.
  157 Hb. 85 Hos. 46 Mal. 16-14 38-10)
• God expects us to offer our best And when you
  offer the blind as a sacrifice, Is it not evil?
  And when you offer the lame and sick, Is it not
  evil? Offer it then to your governor! Would he be
  pleased with you? Would he accept you favorably?
  Says the LORD of hosts (Mal. 16-14)
• Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But
  you say, In what way have we robbed You? In
  tithes and offerings (Mal. 38-10).

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Discussion Questions

• What was the message of the man of God to
  Jeroboam (I Ki. 131-10)? How did Jeroboam
  react? What did God do to confirm the message of
  the man of God?
• Message and response he man of God cried out
  against the altar by the word of the LORD, and
  said, O altar, altar! Thus says the LORD
  Behold, a child, Josiah by name, shall be born
  to the house of David and on you he shall
  sacrifice the priests of the high places who burn
  incense on you, and mens bones shall be burned
  on youKing Jeroboam heard the saying of the man
  of God, who cried out against the altar in
  Bethel, that he stretched out his hand from the
  altar, saying, Arrest him! Then his hand, which
  he stretched out toward him, withered, so that he
  could not pull it back to himselfSo the man of
  God entreated the LORD, and the kings hand was
  restored to him, and became as before. Then the
  king said to the man of God, Come home with me
  and refresh yourself, and I will give you a
  reward (132, 4, 6-7).

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Discussion Questions

• What was the message of the man of God to
  Jeroboam (I Ki. 131-10)? How did Jeroboam
  react? What did God do to confirm the message of
  the man of God? Cont
• Gods message is confirmed And he gave a sign
  the same day, saying, This is the sign which the
  LORD has spoken Surely the altar shall split
  apart, and the ashes on it shall be poured
  outThe altar also was split apart, and the ashes
  poured out from the altar, according to the sign
  which the man of God had given by the word of the
  LORD (133, 5).
• Instruction of God to the messenger was clear and
  specific For so it was commanded me by the
  word of the LORD, saying, You shall not eat
  bread, nor drink water, nor return by the same
  way you came. So he went another way and did
  not return by the way he came to Bethel
  (139-10).

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Discussion Questions

• What happened to the man of God (I Ki. 1311-32)?
• The man of God believed the lie of the old
  prophet He said to him, I too am a prophet as
  you are, and an angel spoke to me by the word of
  the LORD, saying, Bring him back with you to
  your house, that he may eat bread and drink
  water. (He was lying to him.) So he went back
  with him, and ate bread in his house, and drank
  water (1318-19).
• The old prophet prophesied of the consequences of
  disobedience Now it happened, as they sat at
  the table, that the word of the LORD came to the
  prophet who had brought him back and he cried
  out to the man of God who came from Judah,
  saying, Thus says the LORD Because you have
  disobeyed the word of the LORD, and have not kept
  the commandment which the LORD your God commanded
  you, but you came back, ate bread, and drank
  water in the place of which the LORD said to you,
  Eat no bread and drink no water, your corpse
  shall not come to the tomb of your fathers
  (1320-22).

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Discussion Questions

• What happened to the man of God (I Ki. 1311-32)?
  Cont
• The man of God was killed by a lion When he
  was gone, a lion met him on the road and killed
  him. And his corpse was thrown on the road, and
  the donkey stood by it. The lion also stood by
  the corpse. And there, men passed by and saw the
  corpse thrown on the road, and the lion standing
  by the corpse. Then they went and told it in the
  city where the old prophet dwelt (1324-25).
• The old prophet buried him in his own tomb and
  requested to be buried there as well And the
  prophet took up the corpse of the man of God,
  laid it on the donkey, and brought it back. So
  the old prophet came to the city to mourn, and to
  bury him. Then he laid the corpse in his own
  tomb and they mourned over him, saying, Alas,
  my brother! So it was, after he had buried him,
  that he spoke to his sons, saying, When I am
  dead, then bury me in the tomb where the man of
  God is buried lay my bones beside his bones
  (1329-31).

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Discussion Questions

• Lesson To Learn Even though we can do good
  things, we may be guilty of not following all of
  God's instructions. (Jh. 831-32 II Th.
  210-12 Ga. 16-9 Jm. 210 Re. 2218-19 Mt.
  233, 23)
• Beware of the Pharisee attitude Woe to you,
  scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay
  tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have
  neglected the weightier matters of the law
  justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to
  have done, without leaving the others undone
  (Mt. 2323).
• We must obey ALL of Gods commands For whoever
  shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one
  point, he is guilty of all (Jm. 210).
• Beware of who you follow But even if we, or
  an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to
  you than what we have preached to you, let him be
  accursed (Ga. 16-9).

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Discussion Questions

• Lesson To Learn Even though we can do good
  things, we may be guilty of not following all of
  God's instructions. (Jh. 831-32 II Th.
  210-12 Ga. 16-9 Jm. 210 Re. 2218-19 Mt.
  233, 23) Cont
• Why will many fail to follow Gods instructions?
  
• Many do not love the truth those who perish,
  because they did not receive the love of the
  truth, that they might be saved. And for this
  reason God will send them strong delusion, that
  they should believe the lie, that they all may be
  condemned who did not believe the truth but had
  pleasure in unrighteousness (II Th. 210-12).

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Discussion Questions

• Lesson To Learn All of God's instructions are
  important. We must speak out and not compromise
  even though we live in a wicked world. (Mt.
  721-23 Jm. 210 Re. 2218-19 Ph. 212-15 I
  Jh. 215-17 Mt. 516 I Pt. 416 Hb. 21-4)
• Many religious people will not be saved due to
  practicing lawlessness Not everyone who says
  to Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter the kingdom of
  heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in
  heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, Lord,
  Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast
  out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in
  Your name? And then I will declare to them, I
  never knew you depart from Me, you who practice
  lawlessness! (Mt. 721-23).
• whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the
  name of the Lord Jesus (Col. 317).
• Shine Gods light that you may become
  blameless and harmless, children of God without
  fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse
  generation, among whom you shine as lights in the
  world (Ph. 212-15).

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Discussion Questions

• Lesson To Learn All of God's instructions are
  important. We must speak out and not compromise
  even though we live in a wicked world. (Mt.
  721-23 Jm. 210 Re. 2218-19 Ph. 212-15 I
  Jh. 215-17 Mt. 516 I Pt. 416 Hb. 21-4)
• Do not love the world nor the things in the
  world (1 Jh. 215-17).
• Let your light so shine before men, that they
  may see your good works and glorify your Father
  in heaven (Mt. 516).
• Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him
  not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this
  matter (I Pt. 416).
• Remember The first step to drifting away is
  compromise (Hb. 21-3).

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Discussion Questions

• What judgment was pronounced upon Jeroboam (I Ki.
  141-18)? What happened to Jeroboam's sick son?
• Disaster on Jeroboams house, a remnant removed,
  and dogs/birds will eat therefore behold! I
  will bring disaster on the house of Jeroboam, and
  will cut off from Jeroboam every male in Israel,
  bond and free I will take away the remnant of
  the house of Jeroboam, as one takes away refuse
  until it is all gone. The dogs shall eat whoever
  belongs to Jeroboam and dies in the city, and the
  birds of the air shall eat whoever dies in the
  field for the LORD has spoken! (1410-11).
• His good sick son dies Arise therefore, go to
  your own house. When your feet enter the city,
  the child shall die. And all Israel shall mourn
  for him and bury him, for he is the only one of
  Jeroboam who shall come to the grave, because in
  him there is found something good toward the LORD
  God of Israel in the house of Jeroboam (145,
  12-13).

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Discussion Questions

• What judgment was pronounced upon Jeroboam (I Ki.
  141-18)? What happened to Jeroboam's sick son?
• Why? Jeroboam did evil and disobedience Go,
  tell Jeroboam, Thus says the LORD God of Israel
  Because I exalted you from among the people, and
  made you ruler over My people Israel, and tore
  the kingdom away from the house of David, and
  gave it to you and yet you have not been as My
  servant David, who kept My commandments and who
  followed Me with all his heart, to do only what
  was right in My eyes but you have done more evil
  than all who were before you, for you have gone
  and made for yourself other gods and molded
  images to provoke Me to anger, and have cast Me
  behind your back (1410-11).

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Discussion Questions

• How long did Jeroboam reign and who succeeded him
  (I Ki. 1419-20)?
• Jeroboam reigns 22 years and Nadab, his son,
  succeeds him Now the rest of the acts of
  Jeroboam, how he made war and how he reigned,
  indeed they are written in the book of the
  chronicles of the kings of Israel. The period
  that Jeroboam reigned was twenty-two years. So he
  rested with his fathers. Then Nadab his son
  reigned in his place (1419-20).

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Discussion Questions Final Thoughts

• Lesson To Learn Committing sin cannot bring
  success. Destruction is the consequence of
  disobedience. We are responsible. (Nu. 3223
  Ga. 67-8 Ro. 623 28-9 II Th. 17-9 II Co.
  510 Ac. 51-11 Josh. 71-26)
• The law of sowing and reaping Do not be
  deceived, God is not mocked for whatever a man
  sows, that he will also reap (Ga. 67).
• Remember Achan - But if you do not do so, then
  take note, you have sinned against the LORD and
  be sure your sin will find you out (Nu. 3223).
• Remember Ananias and Sapphira Why have you
  conceived this thing in your heart? You have not
  lied to men but to God. Then Ananias, hearing
  these words, fell down and breathed his last. So
  great fear came upon all those who heard these
  things (Ac.54-5).

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Discussion Questions Final Thoughts

• Lesson To Learn Committing sin cannot bring
  success. Destruction is the consequence of
  disobedience. We are responsible. (Nu. 3223
  Ga. 67-8 Ro. 623 28-9 II Th. 17-9 II Co.
  510 Ac. 51-11 Josh. 71-26) Cont
• Jesus will return again in vengeance and to
  give you who are troubled rest with us when the
  Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His
  mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance
  on those who do not know God, and on those who do
  not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
  These shall be punished with everlasting
  destruction from the presence of the Lord and
  from the glory of His power (II Th. 17-9).