Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1898-06-29
THE KINGDOM DIVIDED.
se"dss school Lesson In the Inter-
national serte. FOR July q.
tSoS-t Ntag. i2tt0-.s.


eCh away wrath. but grtcvOus words stir
up anger PROV. iSl
ThE SECTION includes Kings. chaps.
is-lS. the whole story OF the division OF
The Kingdom and It's results under tho irst
two kings
TIMER. c sss-ssa. Jcroeoam's reign.
according TO the usual chronology. n. (.
sSt-si@ according TO tho corrected chronoi.
ogy prot. kents arrangement.
PLACE. The coronation assembly was
held at Shcchcm. between Mounts Ehal
and Gcrizim. thcn tho metropolis OF tho
tribe OF tphraim. The capital 90 Hcho-
beam was az Jerusalem. The political cap
lial OF Joroboam was Tor "a brief timo at
Ttrzah. among tho hills not Tar from
Shechem and SamRria. while his religious
capitals were at Bethel and Dan.
LESSON EXPOSITION.
!. The Popular Demand for Reform.
When Rehoboam found himself shc
successor OF his father. Solomon. ono OF
his frs, moves was TO attend an assem-
bly, OF the leaders Of the nation M
Shechem. The central meeting place OF
the northern tribes which had the deep
est interest in The movement. This as.
sembly was 10 confirm Rchoboam I'm his
kingdom. but was determined 90 exact
certain reforms a. the condition OF their
allegiance. They FIRST sent TO Egypt for
Jerohoam. OF the tribe Of Ephraim. who
had been hauished thiiher by solomon.
Hs became their leader and spokesman.
Their grievances were "a 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 CD especially rcpug-
nant aud hurdtnsomc was the levy OF
forced labor for Solomou's great work.
IL was against this policy and oppres-
sion that THE northern tribes rchcilcd.
Aud they asked OF the new king char
ter OF rights that would relieve them OF
these heavy burdens. agreeing that II
he would grant this, they would ac-
knowledge him as king.
IL. The Kings Foolish Decision
Rehoboam asked for delay Of three
days. 10 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 bis sometimes
foolish actions. These advised Rcho-
beam TO grant the request OF the people
Rchoboan next consulted the young
men. his associates. "rhe Feunessc
doree. the gilded youth, the aristocratic
idlcrs." who. 10y the fact OF their hav-
ing led the same kind OF lifc as himself,
were doubtless quite as inexperienced
In state affairs. Their advice wasi
Thus shalt thou say unto them. my
little finger shall be- thicker than my
fathers loins. Aud now whereas my
father did lade you with a heavy yoke,
! will add 10 your yoke: my fathorhath
chastised you with whips. hut / Will
chastise you with scorpions" q Kings
1910. III. The scorpions were whips
which stung and panied like a scorpion.
This last advice fen Ina Rchoboam's de-
sircs, aud he announced 81 20 The people
rs bis decision.
III The Kingdom Divided.-Vs 1926.
16. What portion have we in Duvid2'
Since we have no fairness or kindness
from the heir OF David. he shall have no
homage or service from rs. TO your
tents;" Disperse TO your homes (scc
chap. s:6G; and cf. sam. ls:l7; 1888;
2o;l). and prepare for war. This cry
was an old war cry OF Ephra.m.
Now see 10 thine own house. David"
Take care Of yourselves, and let US
alone.
Il. "As for the children OF Isral
which dvelt IN the cities Of Judah"
The members OF Hhe northern tribes
who had homes 10 tho cities Of JudBh
did not go with their brethren. but re-
manned under Reboboam.
IS. "Rehoboam" attempted 10 stop
the revolt. ignorant as 10 its extent. by
sending "Adoram. who was over the
tribute" the chief tax collector, and the
most obnoxious man In the nation, 40
paciiy them. and by persuasion and
threats 20 bring them back. Bus the
indignant people STONED him" 90 death.
20. when all Israel heard" what the
leaders knew at Shechem. "that Jcro-
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 par; OF Benjamin,
50 that the larger part OF ihc tribe be-
loDged 10 the north bern Kingdom. and
the rest was absorbed into the tribe OF
Judah.
p. "RehOboam assembled AZ
the house Of JUDAH" His next move
was 10 subdue the rebellion by force Of
arms. But he was forbidden by
prophet named shcmaiah. OF whom we
know nothing further
"a. For this thing IS from me:" I'm
der the circumstances, and with such
leaders and people. 81 was better that
the kingdom should be divided.
q. "Jeroboam built Shecbem IN
mounts" The mountainous country Of
"Ephraim:" lie built up the old town
Tor bis capital, making new city Of 80.
He soon, however, removed his capital
70 Tirzab. few miles distant q Kings
1917; 1891, 80. etc.) and this remained
the capital tn the time Of Ahab, who
removed IL 20 samaria.