The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-07-02
Sunday School Lesson for July 5.
The KimdOm Divided.
Kings Xl 16-2s.
BY j. e. GILBERT, d. D.. IL. D.,
Secretary of American Society of Religious Education

ernment which was we'll established,
while that of Jeroboam was lately
formed. or he may have considerd his
army better equipped This is indeed the
third proof of Rehoboams folly. an evil
dence of his weakness.
INTERVENTIoN-"T is a just
God who presides over the destinies Of
nations" lie casteth down one and set
teth up another. and turns and over
turns Cor the accomplishment of his pur-
pose psalm lxxv, y. True. human pride
and ambition enter in to shape the course
Of events, but the Almighty overrules to
bring to pass what is pleasing to Him.
He had determined to divide the king
dom. as punishment upon the posterity
of Solomon U Kings XII, ID. Jeroboam
was Gods servant announced in ad-
vance, raised up and qualified for the
hour. The preparations for war in Judah
were contrary to Gods purpose and PLAN
A message to that effect was given to
Shemaiah, the man of God tverse 22). and
he hastened to deliver it to Rehoboam
(verse 23), and the nation. The word was
mandatory, ordering the warriors to dis
perse to their homes and "A cessation OF
| all preparton for war. For once a fool
| ish king became wise He bowed sub
missively to the word of God. The inde-
pendence of Israel was recognized with
out the shedding of blood (verse 2D.
STRONGHOLDS.-Th war cloud hav-
ing been scattered Jeroboam began the
task of organizing his government and
providing for the public defence. Here
he displayed ability as statesman and
military leader. The kingdom was in two
| parts, and he recognized the necessity
| of meeting the needs of both sections so
| as to preserve unity. Establishing his
| capital at Shechcm he fortified the city
! so that 1t might resist the attack. Thus
| the seven tribes west of Jordan were Sc
| cure This done, he crossed the Jordan
and fortified Penuel, on the river Jabbo<
| in the tribe of Cad as a center for the
three tribes Penuel was the scene of
Jacobs wrestling Gen. xxi. 2l-32),
showing that it was on the route be-
| tween Damascus to Egypt. Gideon visited
| the place, showing tina 1t was an impor-
tant strategic point Judges viii, IL. BY
| these two cities, with their military
stores. Jcroboam felt himself able to re-
| tain the confidence of his own people and
to defend them against Syrians, Jews and
| all foreigners.
| CONCLCSlONS.-Fr a human stand
| point this revolution was a most deplora
BILE event. People of one blood. one lam
| guage, one religion, a common origin and
| destiny, were suddenly divided into two
nations lying side by side, subjected
| afterward to jealousy. discord and fra
ternal war. Oppressed before with the
expense of government. the support of
| armies, the erection of public buildings
| they must afterward bear double the
| burden. Able for nearly century to re.
sist all encroachment from without they
were enfeeblcd by their division, made
helpless before the heather. and finally
carried into captivity. But it was the
Lords doing. He saw that "a growing
state ruled by line of wicked kings
would be an obstacle to his cause. lie
could use the divided kingdom. each part
| to watch and chastise the other He
could even work through his scattered
people in distant lands to disseminate a
knowledge Of the true God. He could SO
| weaken the civil power as to eXalt the re.
| nglouS teacher and make the prophet
conspicuous. He could gradually trim off
| the dead branches and leave at last one
| tribe, through whom Emmanuel should
come to gather the people to the truth.