The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1904-06-29
THE SUNDAY SCH0O
INTERNATIONAL LESSON coMMEN'
FOR JULY 3. Z

lS-Memory verses,
tary on the Days Lesson.
I. A demand by the people Tvs. Ill
When Rehoboam found himself the succ4
sor to the throne he met the leaders of Il
nation at Shechem. While this ascend
was called ostensibly for the purpose
confirming Rehoboam in his kingdom, u
the people had determined to exact cd
tain reforms as the condition of their al
glance. They had many grievances:
The burden of taxation was very great.
was especially hard upon the northe1
tribes who were so far removed from JeIj
salem that they could not share in Il
wealth which filled the Golfers Of the leaI
ers. 2. The people were bitterly Oh
pressed. The forced free labor for Sol
mons great works was exceedingly burde
some. although they had been dazzl4
by the splendor and display of Solomo2
yet ere long they walked up to the bittI
realization Of the fact that all tEis gitt5
was not gold, and that the just policy /
David no longer guided the throne.
II. Rehoboam's decision Tvs. l2-l5). y
"AD the people," This probably has refe
ence to the ten tribes; Judah and Benz
min chung to Rehoboam. "The third day.
Rehoboam had asked the people to wa
three days for his decision ". 81. "ThI
seemed reasonable on the face Of it, an
yet this was one Of the questions which
right heart would have decided instantll
1t was only because there was . contest b
tween his conscience and his desires TIL
delay was needed. This was the turni5
point in the life Of King Rehoboam. "
his decision hung his destiny as king ar
the welfare of the nation" Is. "Roug
ly." He was harsh and insolent. "Fd
sook-counsel." Rehoboam first c~onsult4
with the old men ". g.. They were II
men of wisdom and ability whom Solomd
in his wisdom had chosen for his adviser
See Prov. lila; 1922. But their couns
did not suit the young king. They adyis4
Rehoboam to grant the request of the PEI
pie and speak good words to them" q
y. But he was proud, naughty and col
ceited and forsook their counsel. i
should have followed it because, /. 1t W
right. 2. 1t was good for the. people.
1t would bring the highest prosperity az
glory to the kingdom. T.. 1t would rend
the Government more stable. 5. 1t wou
bind the people to him.
IA. Young men" Rehobeam next col
suited the young men, his associates ~
g.. 81. The surest mark Of a fool IS that
CHOOSeIH OlHeE lOolS loI lie doNESSls' II
king made a fatal omission in seeking q
vice. There is no mention made Of II
going to God or to one Of Gods prophel
II will add" This was the language of
tyrant. With whips" 1t is probaf
that the expression is not entirely fgu1
tive. It is quite possible that the levies
Amorites. Hittites, etc. (chap. 900, q
had been kept at their tolls by the las
with scorpions" As the Scorpion
instrument of torture with many lashd
like the legs of the animal of this nam
and each lash armed with charp points
l~acerate the flesh - Is a more terrlE
scourge than the common whip, so will d
severity exceed my fathers. This answ1
meant his downfall. 1t was the height
folly for him to take such a course.
Brought about of the Lord" (R. VI T]
course of events had been shaped by Sol
mons transgression, and they were left
God to work out their natural results. ~
sin of the father was here visited on
child. The meaning is that this gre
change or revolution in the Hebrew sta
was brought about in the providence
God as a judgment on the nation for t
sins of Solomon. God foretold it by
prophet Ahijah (chap. ll:3OS3); b
neither Solomon's Gins nor Rchoboan
blind folloy and rash imprudence wei
from the Lord. Godforesees what men "
freely do and orders His judgments
mercies accordingly.
III. The revolt of the ten tribes Tvs.
l6. "All Israel" The leaders repl
senting 5.e ten tribes. What portion
David" etc. Just as a king inherits t
nation he governs, 80 a monarchy inner
its king. But the ten tribes had not tn
received David, nor probably Solomd
either. Seven years after David had beS
recognized as King of Judah the chieftai
of the ten tribes made a special trea
with him by which he should govern the
The terms Of this treaty we do not knoll
but it was probably renewed on the accd
sion of Solomon, and it is evident that t
ten tribes now regarded it as broken
Rehoboam. Their loyalty to him was "a
nulled by his own action. The phra
"son of Jesse" is a taunt, like carpenter
eon" in Matt. 1885. ITO your tents
This was probably a popular wal cry, do
ing from the o. VS. of the exodus, when t
whole nation lived in tents. But we are
remember also that a great multitude vi
now crowded about a town, and doubtld
many were at this time dwelling in tent
Now see," etc. Let David's descendant
look after his dynasty: we sever our CO
nection. II. (Which dwelt." The 1graS
ties who were members of the northe
tribes, but who had homes in the cities
Judah, did not 20 with their own trib4
but remained and quietly sumbitted to t
reign of Rehoboam.
Is. "Sent Adoram." The chief tax 81
lector and therefore one OF the most d
noxious in the nation. He was probaH
sent to make concessions, but it was t
late. "The fatal word had been. spoke
the rent in the nation had been made new
to be healed until they shall be united
Christ. the son of David, in the lattE
days (Ezek. 37:l5-2s). "Stoned him" III
people in their blind rage rose up in a mo
With this one exception this was a blod
less revolution. "Rehoboam made speed
Strengthened himself. Margin, Made y
of every EFFORT" "exerted himself much
since danger was threatening him as W
as his messenger. 1t appears that lit
time elapsed between the answer OF Rel
boam and the sending of Adoram to- d
pease the irritateG leaders. This was DOL
and .Adoram killed before Rehoboam IL
Shechem. The naughty, stern answer a
the sudden change to a more lenient poll
markes the weak cHaIdcter VI IHe n
king. 10. Israel rebelied." Where prin
and people fear God there will be no
bellion. but where no covenant with &
is. all human considerations fall in piece
%. "All Israel heard" When the ma
body of the people learned what the ~
assembled at Shechem knew. Call
him." etc. After the congregation at 81
chem was broken up and the people h
returned to their homes, another assent
was convened by the leaders OF the t
tribes. at which time .Ieroboam was ma
their king. Judah only" Although b
iamin adhered to Rehoboam ". 2I) a
also many Israei!tes OF other tribes ".
vet they are al looked unon as being 4
sorbed in the tribe OF Judah.