The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1904-06-29
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL
INTERNATIONAL LESSON COMMENTS
FOR JULY 3.

subject: The Kingdom Divided. I Kings
Kill, 12-2O-Goiden Text. Prov. xvii,
1s-Memory Verses, 12-14-Commen-
tary on the Days Lesson.
l. A demand by the people Tvs. LILY.
When Rehoboam found himself the success
sor to the throne he met the leaders of the
nation at Shechem. While this assembly
was called ostensibly for the purpose of
confirming Rehoboam in his kingdom, yet
the people had determined to exact Ger.
tain reforms as the condition of their ale
glance. They had many grievances: l.,
The burden of taxation was very great. II
was especially hard upon the northern
tribes who were so far removed from Jeru-
salem that they could not share in the
wealth which filled the Golfers of the lead
ers. 2. The people were bitterly OPP
pressed. The forced free labor for Solo
mons great works was exceedingly burden.
some. although they had been dazzled
by the splendor and display of Solomon,
vet ere long they walked up to the bitter
realization Of the fact that all this glitter
was not gold, and that the just policy Of
David no longer guided the throne.
III. Rehoboam's decision Tvs. l2-l5). II
"All the people" This probably has refer.
ence to the ten tribes; Judah and Benja.
min chung to Rehoboam. "The third day"
Rehoboam had asked the people TO wait
three days for his decision ". 81. "This
seemed reasonable on the face of it, and
yet this was one of the questions which
right heart would have decided instantly.
1t was only because there was contest be.
tween his conscience and his desires that
delay was needed. This was the turning
point in the life tf King Rehoboam. On
his decision hung his destiny as king and
the welfare of the nation l3. Rough.
ly." He was harsh and insolent. For.
Il. L
with the old men ". 81. They were the
men of wisdom and ability whom Solomon
in his wisdom had chosen for his advisers.
See Prov. ll:l4; 1872 But their counsel
did not suit the young king. They advised
Rehoboam to grant the request of the peo.
pie and speak good words to them ".
y. But he was proud, naughty and con.
ceited, and forsook tleir counsel: He
should have followed it because |. 1t was
right. 2. II was good fer the people 3.
1t would bring the highest prosperity and
glory to the kingdom. 4. 1t would render
the Government more stable. 8. 1t would
bind the people to him.
IA. Young men" Rehoboam next con.
suited the young men, his associates Tvs.
8; 81. The surest mark Of fool is that he
chooseth other fools for his advisers. The
king ma lie a fatal omission in seeking ad.
vice. There is no mention made of his
going to God or to one of Gods prophets.
II will add" This was the language of 0
tyrant. With whips" 1t is probable
that the expression is not entirely figura.
tive. 1t is quite possible that the levies oI
Amorites. Hittites. etc. (chap. 9:20, 2D
had been kept at their toiis by the lash
with scorpions" As the scorpion-ar
instrument of torture with many lashes
like the legs of the animal OF this name
and each lash armed with sharp points tt
lacerate the flesh - is more terrible
scourge than the common whip, so will my
severity exceed my fathers. This answer
meant his downfall 1t was the height Of
folly for him to take such a course. 10,
Brought Iout OF the Lord" Or. W The
course of events had been shaped by Solo
mons transgression, and they were left by
God to work out their natural. results. The
sin of the father was here visited on the
child. The meaning is that this great
change or revolution in the Hebrew state
was brought about in the providence OF
God as judgment on the nation for the
prophet Ahijah (chap, ll;30-33) but
neither Solomon's sins nor Rehoboam's
blind folloy and rash iml cudence were
from the Lord. God foresees what men will
freely do and orders His judgments OF
mercies accordingly
III. The revolt of the ten tribes Tvs. l6
l6. "All Israel" The leaders repre-,
sentino e ten tribes. What portion-in
David" etc. Just as kirg inherits the
nation he governs, so monarchy inherits
its king. But the ten tribes had not thus
received David nor probably Solomon
either. Seven years after David had been
recognized as King OF Judah the chieftaina
OF the ten tribes made a special treaty
with him by which he should govern them.
The terms of this treaty we do not know,
but it was probably renewed on the acces'
sion of Solomon, and it is evident that the
ten tribes now regarded it as broken by
Rehoboam. Their loyalty to him was an,
nulled by his own action. The phrase
son OF Jesse" is taunt, like Carpenters
son" in Matt. 1855. "To your tents"
ing from the VS. OF the exodus, when the
whole nation lived in tents. But we are to
remember also that great multitude was
now crowded about a town, and doubtless
many were at this time dwelling in tents.
Now see,"' etc: Let David's descendants
look after his dynasty; we sever our con.
nection. II. (Which dwelt" The Israel.
tribes, but who had homes in the cities OF
Judah, did not go with their own tribes,
but remained and quietly sumbitted to the
reign of Rehoboam.
49, "Sent Adoram." The chief tax col.
lector and therefore one of the most OBJ.
n0xlOus In the nation. lie was probably
sent to make concessions, but it was too
late. THE fatal word had been spoken,
the rent in the nation had been made never
to be healed until they shall be united in
Christ, the son of David, in the latter
days (Ezek. 37:l5-2s). "Stoned him" The
people in their blind rage rose up in a mob.
With this one exception this was blood.
less revolution. "Rehoboam made speed"
Strengthened himself. Margin, made use
of every EFFORT" "exerted himself much"
since danger was threatening him as well
as his messenger. 1t appears that little
time elapsed between the answer of Reho-
boam and the sending of Adoram to APP
pease the irrtated leaders. This was done
and Adoram killed before Rehoboam left
Shechem. The naughty, stern answer and
the sudden change to more lenient policy
markes the weak character of the new
king. l9. "Israel rebelled" Where prince
and people fear God there will be no re.
bellion, but where no covenant with God
is all human considerations fall in pieces.
20. 'Al Israel heard" When the main
body of the people learned what the few
assembled at Sbechem knew. Called
him." etc. After the congregation at She
chem was broken up and the people had
returned to their homes, another assembly
was convened by the leaders of the ten
tribes, at which time Jerobosm was made
their king Judah only" Although Ben.
l.. Ill n