The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1898-06-30
TIE klrepo,iI DIVIDED.


lBassd upon Psioubst's Select Ne,es.l
GOLDEN rExT.A soft answer tura-
| eth away wrath: but grisvous words stiI
up anger.-Prov. ISL
THE SECTION includes Kings, chaps.
i3-i5: the whole story Of the division OF
the kingdom and tn results under the first
two kings.
TIMER. G. s7s-sst Jeroboam's reign.
according to the usual chronology; B. c.
9N.SiA according to the corrected chronol-
ogy prot. Kent's arrangement.
PLACE.-The coronation assembly was
held at Shechem. between Mounts Ebal
and Gerisim. then the metropolis of tho
tribe Of Ephrainl. The capital of Reho-
boam was at Jerusalem. The political cap
ital Of Jeroboam was for IA brief time AT
Shechem. aud then for many years at
Ttrznh. among the hills not far from
Sherhem and Samaria: while his religious
csp,tals were at Bethel and Dan.
LESSON EXPOSITION.
!. The Popular Demand for Reform.
When Rehoboam found himself ahe
successor Of his father. Solomon. one of
his frs, moves was 10 ATTEND an assem-
bly, Of the leaders Of the nation al
Shechem. the central meeting place Of
the northern tribes which had the deep
est interest In the movement. This as
sembly was to ntirm Rehoboam in his
kingdom. but was determined 30 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.
lie became their leader and spokesman.
Their grievances were u) the burden
Of taxation was very great and bore
especially hard upon the northern tribes
at 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 bnrdt nsome was the levy Of
forced labor for Solomon's great work.
II 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 rs king.
RI. 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. 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 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 n heavy yoke,
l will add to your yoke: my fa,herhath
chas,ised you with whips. but will
ohastise you with scorpions" Il Kings
1910, ny. The scorpions were whips
which s,ung and panied like u 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.
16. 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
,ents:" Disperse to your homes (see
chap. s:66; and CT. Sam. 1S:17: 1873;
2O:1). and prepare for war. This cry
was an old war cry otEphra!m.
Now see TO thine own house. David"
Take care Of yourselves. and let us
alone.
II. "As for the children OF lsNal
which dwelt in the cities Of JUDAH"
The members Of tAe northern tribes
who had homes in va el.!es CT Judah
did rot go with their brethren, bw, re-
mained under Rehoboam.
IS. "Rehoboam" attempted to stop
the revolt. ignorant as TO its extent. by
sending "Adoram, -Iao 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 mt Shechem, that Jero-
boam was come again" out of Egypt.
Called him unto the congregations"
The general assembly Of Israel. and
made him king. But the tribe Of
Judah only:" The dividing line was
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.
81. "Rehoboam assembled all
the house Of Judah:" His next move
was to subdue the rebelli 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 me:" Un-
der the circumstances, and with such
leaders and people. It was better that
the kingdom should be divided.