Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1904-06-30
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL
INTERNATIONAL LESSON COMMENTS
FOR JULY 3.
Subject: The Kingdom Divided. Kings
xiii, 12-2O-Golden Text. Prov. XVII,
18-NemOry Verses, 12-14-COmmen-
tnrv on the DAYS Lesson.

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 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: !.
| The burden of taxation was very great: 1t
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,
yet 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.
II. Rehoboam's decision Tvs. l2-l5). IL,
"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 Ct King Rehoboam. On
his decision hung his destiny as king and
the welfare of the nation ID. Rough
w." He was harsh and nsolent For.
sool,-counse" Rehoboam first consulted
with the old men ". g.. They were the
men of wisdom and abby whom Solomon
in his wisdom had chosen for his advisers,
See Prov. ll:l4; l5:22. But their counsel
did not suit the young king. They advised
Rehoboam 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 ther counsel. lie
should have followed it because, |. 1t wa'
right. 2. 1t 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. 5. 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 IF a fool is that he
chooseth other fools for his advisers. The
king male a fatal omission in seeking adj.
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 a
tyrant. WITH whips" 1t is probable
that the expression is not entirely hgura..
tive. 1t is quite possible that the levies o.
Amorites, Hittites. etc. (chap 900, 2D
had been kept at their tolls by the lash
with scorpions" As the scorpion ar
instrument of torture with many lashcs
| like the legs of the animal of this name
and each lash armed with rharp points to
| lacerate the flesh -- Is a 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. II,
course of events had been shaped by So %
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 tins great
! change or revolution in the Hebrew state
! was brought about in the providence OF
! God as Judgment on the nation for tho
! sins of Soomo>. God fDretold it by the
prophet Ahijah (chap. il:m-33I: but
! neither Solomon's sins nor Rehoboam
| blind foioy aud rash inn 'udence were
| from the Lord. God toraseeS what men VIII
| freely do and orders His judgments OF
merces accordingly.
| Ill. / he revolt OF the ten tribes Tvs. III
! 90
l6. can Israel" The leaders repre-
sentinp g ten tribes. What portion-ln
! David" etc. Just as a kirg inherits the
! nation he governs, SO monarchy lnherits
| its king But the ten tribes had not thus
received David, nor probably Solomon
either Seven years liter David had been
recognz ID as King of Judah the chieftainl
/ of the ten tribes made a special treaty
/ with him by which he should govern them.
| The terms of TINS treaty WI do not know,
but it was probably renewed on the acccs'
sion of Solomon, and it Is evident that the
ten tribes now regarded 1t as broken ~
Rehohoam. Their loyalty to him was an
! "son of Jesse is a taunt. like "carpenter!
SON. in Matt 1885. "To your tents
This was probably popular war cry, dat
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 Davids descendants
look after his DYNASTY; we sever our con
necton. II, (Which lwelt.' The Israel
! ties who were members of the northern
! tribes, but who had homes in the cities OF
/ Judah, did not 90 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 it was. too
late. "1'he 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:l5-2Sl. STONED him" The
people in their blind rage rose up in a mob.
| With this one exception this was blood.
I less revolution. "Rchoboam made speed
! Strengthened himself Margin, Made use
of every effort" 'exertcd himself much