The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1898-07-01

TIME.-B c. s75-95, Jeroboam's reign.
according to the usual chronology. b {.
a37 yl5. according to the corrected chronoi-
ogy urof kents arrangement.
PI.ACE-The coronation assembly was
held at Shechem between Mounts Ebal
and Gerizim, then the metropolis OF the
tribe OF Ephraim The capital OF Reno
boa m was a Jerusa lem The political cap
ltal OF Jeroboam was for a brief time az
shechem. and then for many years at
Tirzah among the hills not far from
shechem and samaria, while his religious
capitals we're al Bethel and Dan.
LESSON EXPOSITION.
I. The Popular Demand for Reform.
When Rehoboa m found himself the
successor of his father. Solomon, one Of
his first moves was TO attend an assem-
bly, Of the leaders Of the nation AT
Shechem. the central meeting place OF
the northern tribes which had the deep
EST interest in the movement This as
sembly was 10 confirm Rehoboam in his
kingdom. bun was determined 10 exact
certain reforms as The condition of their
allegiance. They first sent to Egypt for
Jeroboam. of the tribe of Ephra IN, who
had been banshed thither by Solomon.
He became their leader and spokesman.
Their grievances were az the burden
of taxation was very great and bore
especially hard upon the northern tribes
at a distance from the capital, who
therefore could not pariake of the
wealth that enriched the leaders near
the throne; and (2) especially repug-
nani and burde some was the levy Oh
forced labor for Solomon's great work.
1t was against this policy and oppres-
sion that the mort hern tribes re bei.ed.
And they asked of the new king char
ter Of rights that would relieve them OF
these heavy burdens. agreeing that il
be would grant this. they would ac-
knowledge him as king.
Ii. The Kings Foolish Decision
Re hoboam asked for delay OF three
DAYS. 10 give him time TO consult witt
the leaders before he returned an an.
sXver TO their demands. The king first
consulted the elders. These were the
older and wiser leaders who had learned
OF Solomon his wise teachings and
watched The effects Of his sometimes
foolish actions. These advised Reno
boam to grantthe request OF the people
Echoboam next consulted the young
men. his associates. 1.-THE Feunesse
doree. the glded youth. the aristocra'ie
idlers," who, by the fact of their hav-
ing led the same kind of life as himself
were doubtless quite as inexperienced
in state affairs. Their advice was:
Thus shalt thou say unto them, my
( little finger shall be thicker than my
fathers loins. And now whereas my
fat her did lade you with heavy yoke
/ | will add 10 your yoke: my ther hath
4 chasiised you with whips. but ! VIII
( chastise you with scorpions" Il Kings
1910. ~. The scorpions were whips
which stuug and panied like scorpion
\ This last advice fell in Rehoboams de
sires. and be announced it 10 the people
as his decision.
III. The Kingdom Divided.-Ns. 1925
1s. what portion have we in DAVID
( Since we have no fairness or Kindness
from the heir Of David. he shall have nc
homage or service from us. TO youi
,enis:" Dispense 10 your homes tset
chan. SOC: and CT. . Sam. 1s:l7 l9;si
2o:D. and prepare for war. This cry
was an old war cry of Ephram.
snow see to thine own house, David :
Take care of yourselves. and let VI
alone.
IL. AS for the children OF Erea.
which dwelt in the cities Of judah;
The members of the northern tribes
who had homes in the cities of judah
did no, go with their brethren, but re-
manned under Rehoboam.
is. "Rchoboam" attempted TO Sor
the revolt. ignorant as 10 its extent, 10y
sending "Adoram. who was over th'
tribute" the chief tax collect or, and thu
most obnoxious man in the nation, &c
pacify them, and by persuasion ane
threats to bring them back. But TIM
indignant people stoned him 10 deaun
%. "When all Israel heard" what thu
leaders knew at Shechem, THAT Zero
boam was come again" out OF Egypt
"Ca.led him unto the congre CATION;
The general assembly Of Israel, ant
made him king. But the tribe o
Judah only" The dividing line wa
through the southern part Of Benjamin
SO that the larger part OF the tribe be
lonaed TO the northern kingdom, ant
the rest was absorbed into the tribe o
, Judah.
, 81. "Rehoboam assembled al
the house Of JUDAH" His next NOV
was to subdue he rebe lion by force O
arms. But he was forbidden by
prophet named Shemaiah OF whom W
L,o,v fhinv further
"a. For this thing is from me:" Un
, der the circums tances. and with sue
, leaders and people, ii was better tina
The kingdom should be divided.
IS "Jeroboam built Shechem |
: mount" The mountainous country Q
"Ephraim:" He built up the old tow
for his capital. making a new city OF j
He soon. however. removed his capita
10 Tlrzah. a few miles distant Il King
i4:i7: 5:2i. 80. etc.); and this RENAME
the capital till the time OF Ahab. wh
removed ii TO Samaria.
snap shots.
y.