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SUNlNS0lOOL
LESSON
LESSON FOR AUGUST 8
THE KINGDOM TORN AsuNDER.
(By E. o. SELLERS, Acting Director of
Sunday School Course, The Moody Bible
Institute of Chicago.)'


GOLDEN TEXT-Pride goeth before
destruction, and a naughty spirit before
a fall. Prov: 1918,
Solomon's kingdom though outward
ly magnificent contained within il
those germs of oppression, formal re-
ligious observances and the lax ex-
ample of an indulgent monarch which
speedily led to it's disruption after hia
death. Forty years, Solomon reigned.
but the latter end of his life was mona
too peaceful. "He loved many strange
women and Ibis heart was not per-
feet with the Lord his God" DILL, A.
Recon was his adversary" (11:25)
and Jeroboam whom he at first sought
to conciliate (11:26-28) was. finally
driven from the land ". 400. Chapter
eleven contains the prophecy Of which
this lesson is the fulfillment. And
Rehoboam, his, son, reignedt in his
stead" (1t:43).
|. The Convention, at shechem, w.
Is. 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 Josh, 24:1, 25)! Abime-
lech destroyed it though it was SOON
rebuilt. Here Israel gathered to con-
firm Solomon's son upon the throne
Jerusalem ana Judea readily accepted
Rehoboam as king, but the ten tribes
hesitated and, according to one trans
lation there was a years delay during
which time Jeroboam was sent for and
certain reforms were formulated " p.
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
". A. and Rehoboam wisely asked for
time to consider the request ". 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, liz 9, 3O).
The counsel of the old men, was good
(v. y, 1t was kingly, manly.
Jesus tells us; that the greatest must
be the servant of all and. sets US the
example himself Matt. 20.28). Reno
beam next consulted those Of his own
circle who were grown up with hin"
men of like position and passions,
youths as inexperienced as, himself
who had no sympathy but were wild,
conceited, oEerbearing, selfish. Reho-
beam asked advice" (w. 81 Of the old
men, but asked for counsel (v. 81 OF
the young men, but in neither case in
there any suggestion that God was
consulted DANES 1:5). These young
men counseled Boosting and burden
some course which brought Rehoboam
to grief Oppression always results
In rebellion, fact that those who gov
ern or employ others should ponder
well. Rehoboam's choice of counselors
and his consequent course of action
was the height of foolishness prov.
1920.
It'll. Bad Counsel Confirmed, w.
1914. Jeroboam's 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 princeling
were both only carrying out the word
and will of Jehovah (v. 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" ".
49, and this verse suggests to US that
''the old mems counsel was known to
the people, thereby aggravating his
offense. 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 a
hair" Not content to refuse Reho-
beam threatens added burdens ". 14).
~. Conclusion God turned away
the kingdom from Solomon's house be-
cause Solomon had turned away from
God .(ch. 11:s-11. 81, 33). A true
prophet foretold what would happen.
the cause was from the Lord that ha
might perform his saying" ". Is. CT
1881. 32). God is constantly and lit
orally fulfilling prophecy. Those which
have been so fully and so infinitely full
filed are warrant thatyin due time
all will likewise come to pass" Re-
hoboam is lesson to the young men
of today.
Rehoboam Is also lesson for pres
ent day fathers.
Finally Rehoboam is lesson to all
who are set in authority. To close our
ears to the cry of the needy to forget
our obligations to God and to men
Matt. 25). and to fail to see Gods pur-
poses, prophecies and plans inevitably