Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1904-07-01
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL
INTERNATIONAL LESSON COMMENTS
FOR JULY 3.

xii, 12-2O-Golden Text, Prov. XVI,
ls-Memory Verses, 12-1<-Commcn-
tary on the Days Lesson.
I. 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 oil
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: !.
The burden of taxation was very great. 1t
was especially hard npon 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. 9. The people were bitterly op'
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.
IT, Rehoboam's decision Tvs. l2-l5). IL
Gan 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
vet this was one of the questions which
right heart would have decided instantly
1t was only because there was q contest be.
tween his conscience and his desires that
delay was needed. This was the turning
point in the life CT King Rehoboam. o.,
his decision hung his destiny as king and
the welfare of the nation" 10. Rough
w." He was harsh and insolent. For
sook-counsel." Rehoboam first consulted
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. liza; 1922. But their counsel
did not suit the young king. They advised
Rchoboam to grant the request of the PEG
pie and Speak good words TO them w.
y. But he was proud, naughty and con
ceited and forsook, their counsel: lie
should have followed it because, /. 1t was
right 9. 1t was good fer the people. 8:
1t would bring the highest prosperity and
glory to the kingdom. 4. 1t would render
the Government more stable. 5. 1t woulo
bind the people to him.
IA. young men," Rehoboam next con
suited the young men, his associates Tvs
5. 81. The surest mark Of fool Is that ne
chooseth other fools for his advisers. Inc
king made fatal omission in seeking adj
vice. There is no mention made OF his
going to God or to one of Gods prophets
TT will add" This was the language OF a
tyrant. With whips" 1t is probable
that the expression is not entirely hgura::
tive. It is quite possible that the levies OF
Amorites, Hittites. etc. (chap. 9;2O, ~,
had been kept at their tolls by the lash.
with scorpions" As the scorpion--an
instrument of torture with many lashes,
like the legs of the animal of this name,
and each lash armed with rharp points to
lacerate the flesh - is more terrible
scourge than the common whip, SO will my
severity exceed my fathers. This answer
meant his downfall It was the height Of
drought about of the Lord" (R. W The
course of events had been shaped by Solo
mons transgression, and they were lett 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 a judgment on the nation for the
sins of Solomon. God foretold it by the
prophet Ahijah (chap. ll:30S3); but
neither Solomon's sins nor Rehoboam's
blind folloy and rash imprudence were
from the Lord. God foresees what men will
freely do and orders His judgments or
mercies accordingly. :,
III. The revolt of the ten tribes Tvs. To-
20.
is. "All Israel" The leaders repre-.
sentinp e ten tribes. what portion--in
David" etc. just as a king inherits the
nation he governs, go a 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 chieftains
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"
This was probably a popular war cry, dat
ing from the d We of the exodus, when the
whole nation lived in tents. But we are to
remember also that a great multitude was
now crowded about town, and doubtless
many were at this time dwelling in tents.
"Now see," etc. Let Davids descendants
look after his dynasty; we sever our con-
nection. II. (Which dwelt." The Israel
ties who were members of the northern
tribes, but who had homes in the cities OF
Judah. did not 20 with their own tribes,
but remained and quietly sumbitted to the
reign of Rehoboam.
is. "Sent Adoram" The chief tax col.
lector and therefore one of the most OBJ
noxious in the nation. He was probably
sent to make concessions, but 1t 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 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 irritated leaders. This was done
and Adoram killed before Rehoboam lefs
Shechem. The naughty, stern answer and
the sudden change to more lenient policy
markes the weak character of the new
king. 10. "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. "All Israel heard" When the main
body of the people learned what the few Few
him." ETC. After the congregation at She,
chem was broken up and the people had
returned to their homes, smother assembly
was convened by the leaders of the ten
tribes. at which time Jeroboam was made
their king. Judah only" Although Ben.
jamin adhered to Rehoboam ". 2I and
also many Israelites of other tribes ". l7)
yet they are all looked upon as being alb
eorbed in the tribe of Judah.