Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1891-01-02
THE KINGDOM DIVIDED.
LESSON /, FIRST QUARTER, INTER-
NATIONAL SERIES, JAN. 4.

W. Stearns.
compiled from Lesson Helper Quarterly by per
mission of II. S. Hoffman, publisher, Philadef
pha.l
l. "Rehoboam-Sheche Israel-to
make him King"
Such are the words and phrases In this
verse demanding our attention; but let us
remember that we are reading the word of
che Lord, and the Holy Spirit in this word
is ever bringing before us persons, places
and events which show us God honored or
dishonored, God manifest and glorified, or
the adversary manifest and God despised.
Rehoboam was, far as we know, the
only son of Solomon, and therefore heir to
the throne. His name, according to
Young, signifies Greer Of the people,"
but he proved to be n great oppressor.
2. "Jeroboam, the son of Nebat, who was
yet in Egypt, heard of it,"
The previous chapter gives the history
of this Widows son, Gods purpose concern
ing him and offer to him if he would walk
in His ways and do right in His sight.
g. "Jeroboam and all the congregation
of Israel came and spake unto Rehoboam"
This seems outwardly all fair and sub
missive but Jeroboam cannot have forgot
ten the promise of the Lord by the prophet
Ahiiah xxi, 29-3D, and he is only quietly
awaiting the developments which shall
give him the ten tribes for his kingdom.
4. Thy father made our yoke grievous;
make thou the grievous service
lighter, and we will serve thee"
This, too, seems fair and reasonable, and
it looks rs if all might he well with Reho-
boam if he will only do right
.. Depart yet three days then come
again to me-"
The third day in Scripture is the day of
4 1,1;,
vi, 3; John ii, 10; Matt. xvi, 2D, but only
for such as follow on to know the Lord.
6. "And King Rehoboam consulted with
the old men and said, How do
ye advise, that may answer this people"
with the ancient is wisdom; and In
length of days understanding. days
should speak, and multitude OF years
should teach wisdom" Dob xii, 10; xxi,
.. But II the king had consulted the
ancient Of days" Dan. vii, ls) he would
have found true wisdom, and the word "An-
cient" in Job Xii. Il, according to the mar
gin Of the next verso, refers to God and not
to man.
Z. "n thou wilt be a servant unto this
people this day and speak good
words to them, then they will be thy sery.
ants forever"
If he would only seek the welfare and
peace OF his people, as did those kings who
sought to do right in the sight of the Lord
and as did Mordecai (Esth. X, 81 at later
period, then all would be well. But this
was not his spirit.
s "But he forsooh the counsel of the old
men and consulted with the
young men,"
The old men had stood before Solomon,
his father, but these young men had grown
up with himself and stood before him.
8. And he said unto them What coun-
sci give yei"
10. MY little finger slAAAs Kicker than
my fathers loins."
This is part of the answer which the Young
men instructed him to give to the people.
The lons are significant of strength as in
Job xl. l6: Prov. XXI, l.; but in the case
OF solomon 1t was strength OF oppression
ii. MY father hath chastised you with
whips, but will chastise you with scor-
pions"
So they would have him draw his peo-
pie to him by encouraging him to act not
as shepherd Of his people, but rs a cruel
taskmaster veritable Egyptian Pharaoh.
IL. so Jeroboam and all the people came
to Rehoboam the third day as the king
had appointed"
1t is a dark day for Israel They are to
hear no comforting words; their yoke is not
w " htShIShSb IIlclT ScTNlcc maze
easier. And yet this man was king on the
throne of David. ruling over the Lords
people.
ID. And the king answered the people
roughly"
Roughly" is the same word that in verse
is translated "grievous" joseph also
spoke "roughly!to his brethren Gen. xiii.
Z, 80, but in his case it was only outward
roughness, yet well deserved, while back
of it there was forgiveness and love.
H. And spake to them after the counsel
of the young men,"
Wicked counsellors are a great curse.
and are all In the service, for the time at
least, of the first wicked counselor, who
in the garden led Adam and Eve astray.
It il bad enough when friends sivs evil
counsel, but how much worse when ones
own mother Is the evil counselor ((Son
xvii 10; II Chron xii, 81.
Is. THE cause was from the Lorin
Back OF all these apparently ordinary
circumstances God was working He can
not do evil, but He often permits evil to
take its course and yet overrules all for
the good OF HI. ..eople. a r, lin In verse "a
we read concerning the conduct OF Reho-
beam and its results, This thing is from
me-" Ii is fearful thing to refuse to
obey God and walk In the truth, for that
lays US q, en- 10 the possibility of His send
ing us strong delusion that we should be-
heve lie I'll Thess. ii, ~ There Is much
III the Bible about evil from the Lord, as In
the following texts: Judg tx, %: xiv, 4: |
Sam. ii, 25; xvi, IA; ii Chron. xviii, %; XIII
lisa. xix, IA: xiv, I; Amos iii, 8; but it will
always he found that the person or persons
have deliberate, turned away from God.
and the evil that overtakes them is the re
suit OF their own doings. which God perl
mlts to come to them because they will not
have His love and care q Kings XII, IL.
l6 "All Israel saw that the king heark-
ened not unto them"
Then they departed TO their tents and
made Jeroboam their king; there was none
that followed the house Of David but the
tribe OF Judah only. And when Rehoboam
would have gone forth to subdue the rebels
God by His servant forbade him, and he
had to he content to have it 80 Tvs 2o-24).
Thus the highly privileged nation were di-
vided because Of their sins, and TO this day
they have never been as a whole nation re- |