Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1915-08-06
LESSON FOR AUGUST 8
THE KINGDOM TORN AsuNDER.

trG NtNSOOM iOhN ASONDEH.
LESSON TEXT Kings 12:6-16.
GOLDEN TEXT-Pride goeth before
destruction, and naughty spirit before
fall Prov. 1918
Solomon's kingdom though outward
ly magnificent contained within it
those germs of oppression, formal re-
ligious observances and the lax ex.
ample of an indulgent monarch which
speedily led to its disruption after his
death. Forty years Solomon reigned,
but the latter end of his life was none
too peaceful. "He loved many strange
women" and his heart was not per-
feet with the Lord his God' Q1.1, A..
Recon was his adversary" 11:25)
and Jeroboam whom he at first sought
to conciliate Q1:26-2S) was finally
driven from the land w. 40). Chapter
eleven contains the prophecy of which
this lesson is the fulfillment. And
Rehohoam, his son, reigned in his
stead Q1:43).
|. The Convention at Shechem, Wv.
l-5. This place has an important his.
tory beginning in the days of Abraham
and Jacob. 1t was a city of the Levites
and the place where Joshua gave his
final charge Gosh, 24:1, 25). Abime
lech destroyed it though it was soon
rebuilt. Here Israel gathered to con-
firm Solomons son upon the throne.
Jerusalem and Judea readily accepted
Rehoboam as king, but the ten tribes
hesitated and, according to one trans
lation there was years delay during
which time Jeroboam was sent for and
certain reforms were formulated (v 2).s
Their charges were entirely selfish
and made no reference to the rights of
Jehovah nor offered any protest
! against the increasing idolatry Be
| fore allegiance was sworn Jeroboam
as spokesman presented these reforms
| (v. A and Rehoboam wisely asked for
time to consider the request (v. 81.
II. Good Counsel Neglected, w.
6-12. Rehoboam came of bad stock
(ch. 14:21), yet his first step was a
! wise one. His name means "Enlarger
of the people, but he sadly belied the
same. Too long had he lived in the
| atmosphere of luxury and enervation-
The northern tribes suffered greatly
through taxation and shared none OF
! the prosperity of Jerusalem. Solomon s
yoke" like that of every earthly mon
arch, had been heavy (Matt, 1929, 30).
The counsel of the old men was good
". y, it was kingly. manly.
Jesus tells US that the greatest must
be the servant of all and sets us the
example himself Matt. 20:2S). Reho
boam next consulted those of his OVID
circle who were grown up with him, !"
men of like position and passions,
youths as inexperienced as himself
who had no sympathy but were wild.
conceited, overbearing, selfish. Reho
boam asked advice" (v. g. of the ol1
men, but asked for counsel ". 81 Of
the young men, but in neither case is
there any suggestion that God was
consulted flames 1:5). These young
men counseled boasting and burden
| some course which brought Rehoboam
to grief. Oppression always results
in rebellion, a fact that those who gov
ern or employ others should ponder
we'll Rehoboam's choice of counselors
and his consequent course of action
was the height of foolishness prov
1920.
III. Bad Counsel Confirmed, Wv
1914. Jeroboams subsequent career
confirms us in believing that he more
than all others encouraged and fos
tered the division of the kingdom. But
he and the proud, foolish priRceling
were both only carrying out the word
and will of Jehovah ". Is; Ps. 1910
This does not, however, lessen his
guilt or folly (Acts 2:23). Not content
with declaring his acceptance of the
evil counsel he spoke roughly" "
13) and this verse suggests to us thai
"the old mems counsel was known tt
the people, thereby aggravating his
offense. Whom God wishes to destroy
he first makes mad" Rough words
wound or madden and, "by using sof
words you may lead an elephant by {
hair Not content to refuse Reho
boam threatens added burdens ". 14)
Josephus says that the people wer,
struck by his words as by an iror
rod," and they at once exclaimed
what portion have we (the northern
tribes) in David" (v. 16), repudiatin,
war cry, ITO your tents, o Israel
meant back to your home and let Ju
dah look out for ITSELF"
~. Conclusion. God turned ava,
the kingdom from SoloIuon's house be
cause Solomon had turned away from
God (ch. 11:9-11, 81, S9). A tru
prophet .foretold what would happen
the cause was from the Lord that h
might perform his saying" (v. Is, CT
1871, 32) God is constantly and lii
orally fulfilling prophecy. Those whicl
have been so fully and so minutely fu
filled are warrant that tn due tim
all will likewise come to pass" Re
hoboam is lesson to the young me-
of today. (a) He was imperial and tn
character of his choice lay in his owl
hands prov. 1919. (b) His grea
act was the sum of his wisdom i
small affairs. Our compaGions ind
cate our character. (c} He was no
entirely ruined. Devid's faithfulnes
saved one tribe of Rehoboam. God
grace is unto generations without nun
ber and his ear ready to hear tn
penitent's cry AS long as life II
, mains it is our privilege to serve Go
and our fellowmen.
Rehoboam is also lesson for pres
ent day fathers. Solomon's exampl
; did not measure up to his teaching,
, it had the chances are the sons hi!
tory would have been different. Solt
mons sin was primarily the cause c
lsraels division (ch. 11:9, 13).
, Finally Rehoboam is a lesson to a
who are set in authority. To close on
ears to the cry of the needy; to forge
!, our obligations to God and to me
Matt 25), and to fail to see Gods pu
poses, prophecies and plans, inevitabl
courts disaster.
The coming king of kings who in fu