The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1904-06-30
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL
INTERNATIONAL LESSON COMMENTS
FOR JULY 3.
Subject: The Kingdom Divided, Kings
xiii, 12-2O-Golden Text, Prov. XVII,
1s-Memory Verses, 12-14-Commen.
fary on the DAVIS Lesson.

xiii, 12-20-Golden Text, Prov. XVII,
1s-Memory Verses, 12-14-Commen.
tary on the Days Lesson.
/. 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
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 clung 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 a
right heart would have decided instantly.
1t was only because there was q contest Rss1
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" l3. Rough
ly." He was harsh and insolent. For
sook-counsel." Rehoboam first consulted
with the old men ": @. They were .the
men of wisdom and ability whom Solomon
in his wisdom had chosen for his advisers.
See Prov. ll:l4; 1922. 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 their counsel. He
should have followed it because, l. 1t was
right. 2. 1t was good for the people. 8.
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 Of fool is that he
chooseth other fools for his advisers. The
king made a fatal omission in seeking ad-
yice There is no mention made of his
going to God or to one OF Gods prophets.
tyrant. With whips" 1t is probable
that the expression is not entirely figura.
tive. II is quite possible that the levies Of
Amorites, Hittites, etc. (chap. 800, 2D,
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 charp 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 course. ID.
Brought about of the Lord" (R. W The
course of events had been shaped by Solo
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:30-33); but
neither Solomon's sins nor Rehoboam's
blind foloy and rash imprudence were
from the Lord God foresees what men will
freely do and orders His judgments or
mercleS accordingly.
III. The revolt of the ten tribes Tvs. l6-
20.
l6. "All Israel" The leaders repre-
senting t.e ten tribes. What portion-in
David" etc. Just as a king inherits the .
nation he governs, so monarchy inherits6
its king. But the ten tribes had not
received David, nor probably Sol6mol
either. Seven years after David had been
as King of Judah the chieftains
Of the ten tribes made 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
son of Jesse" is taunt, like Carpenters
son" in Matt. 1855 "To your tents"
This was probably popular war cry, dat
ng from the d; vs of the exodus, when the
whole nation lived in tents. But we are to
remember also that great multitude was
now crowded about town, and doubtless
many were at this time dwelling in tents,
Now see," etc. Let Davids DESCENDANTS
ook after his dynasty; we sever our con-
,ection. H. (Which dwelt." The Israeli
tes who were members of the northern
;ribes, but who had homes in the cities of
)uutl, ulu nOL RO VIII tueIf O"u IiiDeSs
,ut remained and quietly sumbitted to the
'eign of Rehoboam.
Is. "Sent Adoram." The chief tax COL
ector and therefore one of the most OBJ
,oxious in the nation. He was probably
ent to make concessions, but it was too
ate "The fatal word had been spoken,
he rent in the nation had been made never
o be healed until they shall be united in
christ. the son of David, in the latter !
lays (Ezek. 37:l5-2S). "Stoned him." The :
,eople in their blind rage rose up in mob.
With this one exception this was blood
ess revolution. "Rehoboam made speed"
strengthened himself. Margin, ''Made use
# every effort" "exerted himself much"
ince danger was threatening him as well
IS his messenger. 1t appears that little
ime elapsed between the answer of Reho-
,oam and the sending of Adoram to ap-
,ease the irritated leaders. This was done
nd Adoram killed before Rehoboam left
,hechem. The naughty, stern answer and
he sudden change to more lenient policy :
narkes the weak character of the new
ing. 49, "Israel rebelled." Where prince
nd people fear God there will be no re.
,ellion, but where no covenant with God
oil b,r,ar fiopo 70 m IN riaoos