Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1898-06-28
THE KINGDOM DIVIDED.
sunday School Lesson In the Inter-
national Series for July 3.
1851 Kings 12,10-25.

tho kingdom and its results under the first
two kings.
T1ME.-B c. s75-sa. Jeroboam's reign.
according to the usual chronology; B. G.
937-9l5, according to the corrected chronol-
ogy prof. Kent's arrangement.
PLACE.-The coronation assembly was
held at Shechem. between Mounts Ebal
and Gerizim. then the metrop oils Of the
tribe of Ephraim. The capital of Reho-
boam was at Jerusalem. The political cap
ttal OF Jeroboam was for brief time at
Shechem. and then for many years at
Tirzah. among the hills not far from
Shechem and Samaria: while his religious
capitals were at Bethel and Dan.
LESSON EXPOSITION.
I. The Popular Demand for Reform.
When Rehoboam 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 to confirm Rehoboam in his
kingdom, but was determined to exact
certain reforms as the condition of their
allegiance. They first sent to Egypt for
Jeroboam, of the tribe of Ephraim, who
had been banished thither by Solomon.
He became their leader and spokesman.
Their grievances were (1) 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 partake of the
wealth that enriched the leaders near
the throne; and (2) especially repug-
nant and burde nsome was the levy OF
forced labor for Solomon's great work.
It was agains, this policy and oppres-
sion that the northern tribes rebelled.
And they asked of the new king char
ter of rights that would relieve them of
these heavy burdens, agreeing that if
he would grant this, they would ac-
knowledge him as king.
II. The Kings Foolish Decision
Rehoboam asked for delay of three
days, to give him time to consult with
the leaders before he returned an, an
swer TO their demands. The king first
consulted the elders. TIL csc 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 Reho-
boam to grant the request of the people.
Rehoboam next consulted the young
men, his associates, 1.-THE Feunesse
doree, the gilded youth. the aristocratic
idlers," who, by the fact of their hav-
ing led the same kind Of life as himself,
we're 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
father did lade you with a heavy yoke,
l viii! add to your yoke: my ather hath
chastised you with whips, but I will
chastise you with scorpions" Il Kings
1910, 1D. The scorpions were whips
which stung and panied like a scorpion.
This last advice fell in Rehoboam's de-
sires, and he announced it to the people
as his decision.
III. The Kingdom Divided.--Vs. 1925.
Is. what portion have we in David?'
Since we have no fairness or kindness
from the heir of David, he shall have no
homage or service from US. ITO your
tents" Disperse to your homes (see
chap. e:6G; and Ct. 2 Sam. 1917; 1913;
2O:1), and prepare for war. This cry
was an old war cry of Ephra;m.
Nov see to thine own house, David"
Take care of yourselves, and let us
alone.
II. LAS for the children of Isreal
which dwelt in the cities of Judah: "
The members of the northern tribes
who had homes in the cities of Judah
did not go with their brethren, but re-
manned under Rehoboam.
10. "Rehoboam" attempted to stop
the revolt, ignorant as to its extent, by
sending "Adoram, who was over the
tribute" the chief tax collector, and the
most obnoxious man in the nation, to
pacify them, and by persuasion and
threats to bring them back. But the
indignant people STONED him" to death.
20. "When all Israel heard" what the
leaders knew at Shechem, that Jero-
boam was come again" out of Egypt.
called him unto the congregation: :"
The general assembly of Israel, and
made him king. But the tribe of
Ouudu OulJ uC Lilo " do
through the southern part of Benjamin,
SO that the larger part of the tribe be-
longed to the northern kingdom, and
the rest was absorbed into the tribe of
Judah.
q. "Rehoboam assembled all
the house of JUDAH" His next move
was to subdue the rebellion by force of
arms. But he was forbidden by a
prophet named Shemaiah, of whom we
know nothing further.
"a. ''For this thing is from mes" I'm
der the circumstances, and with such
leaders and people, it was better that
the kingdom should be divided.
IS. "Jeroboam built Shechem in
mount" The mountainous country of
"Ephraim:" He built up the old town
for his capital, making new city of it.
He soon, however, removed his capital
to Tirzah, q few miles distant Il Kings
14:17; 1921, 80, etc.; and this remained
the capital till the time of Ahab, who
removed it to Samaria.