The Dermott news. (Dermott, Ark.) 1910-1977, 1915-08-05
LESSON FOR AUGUST 8
THE KINGDOM TORN ASuNDER.

LESSON TENT Kings 12 SIC.
GOLDEN TENT-pr'de gorth before
destruction. and a naughty spirit before
fall Prov. l6.l
Solomons kingdom though outward
ly magnificent contained within it
those germs of oppression. formal re-
ligious observanCes aud the lax ex-
ample of an indulgeut 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" I'LL, A..
Recon was his adversary" I'll 81
and Jeroboam whom he at first sought
TO Conciliate tll 26-2SD was finally
driven from the land ". 400. Chapter
eleven contains the prophecy Of which
this lesson is the ful6Ilment And
Rehoboam. his son. reigned in his
stead Cll 49,.
|. The Convention at Shechem, w.
Is. This place has an important his
tory beginning in the days of Abraham
and Jacob. Il was a city OF the Levites
and the place where Joshua gave his
hnal charge tJosh, "a /. PSI. Abme
tech destroyed il though it was soon
rebuilt. Here Israel gathered to con.
firm Solomon's son upon the throne
Jerusalem and Judea readily accepted
Rehoboam as king. but the ten tribes
aesitated and. according To one trans
tation there was a year 5 delay during
which time Jeroboam VAS sent for aud
certain reforms we're formulated q -.
Their charges were entirely selfish
and made no reference 10 the rights Of
Jehovah nor offered any protest
against the increasing idolatry. he
fore allegiance was sworn Jeroboam
As spokesman presented these reforms
" A. and Rehoboam wisely asked for
.jme to consider the request ". 81.
II. Good Counsel Neglected. w.
612 Reheboam came ef bad stock
tch. 14:2D. yet his first step VAS a
wise one. His name means "EnIarger
Of the people" but he sadly belied the
same Too long had he lived in the
atmosphere of luxury and enervatien
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, %, SCI.
The counsel Of the old men was good
". ~, It was kingly. manly.
Jesus tells US that the greatest must
be the servant of all and sets us tho
example himself Matt - PSI. Reho-
boam next consulted those OF his own
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,
couCeited. overbeariug. selfish Rcho-
boam asked advice" " 81 OF the old
men. but asked for counsel " - OF
the young men, but in neither case is
there any suggestion that God was
consulted Games l -. These young
men Counseled a boastiug and burden.
some course which brought Rehoboam
to grief Oppression always results
in rebellion a fact that those who gov
eru or employ others should ponder
well. Rehoboam's choice Of couuselors
and his consequent course OF action
was the height OF foolishness PROV.
10 20).
III. Bad Counsel Confirmed. w
l2lt. Jerohoam $ subsequent career
confirms us in believing that he more
than an others encouraged and fos-
tered the division OF the kingdom But
he and the proud, foolish prineeliug
were both only carrying out the word
and will OF Jehovah q. Is. Ps - l0A
This does not. however. lessen his
guilt or folly tActs "a Not content
with declaring his acceptance of the
evil counsel he spoke roughly ".
l3) and this verse suggests TO us that
the old men counsel" was known 10
the people. thereby aEgravating his
oftense. Whom God wishes To destroy
he first makes mad Rough words
wound or madden and. "by using soft
words you may lead an elephant by
hair" Not content to refuse Reho.
ooam threatens added burdens ty=i IA.
~. Conclusion. God turned away
The kingdom from solomon house be
cause solomon had turned away from
God tch. 1l:9-1l, 81. 33l. A true
prophet foretold what would happen.
he cause was from the Lord that he
might perform his saying" ". Is. CT.
l1.31, 32l. God is constantly and lit
orally fulfilling prophecy. Those which
nave been so fully and SO minutely tul.
allied are warrant that in due time
all will likewise come to pass Re.
hoboam is lesson to the young men
Of today
Rehoboam is also lesson for pres
ant day fathe