The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1915-08-07
LESSON FOR AUGUST 8
THE KINGDOM TORN AsuNDER.

Solomon's kingdom though outward
ly magnificent contained within it
those germs of oppression, formal re.
ligious o-bservances 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" OH, A..
Recon was his adversary G1:25)
and Jeroboam whom he at first sought
to conciliate I'll: 26-2S) was finally
driven from the land ". 400. Chapter
eleven contains the prophecy of which
this lesson is the fulfllment. And
Rehoboam, his son, reigned in his
stead 11:43).
l.. The Convention at Shechem, w.
1-5. 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 Josh, PAL, 25). Abime-
lech destroyed it 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
hesitated and, according to n trans
latiOn there was a years delay during
which time Jeroboam was sent for and
certain reforms were formulated " y.
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 q
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, l1:29, 3OD.
The counsel Of the old men was good
". y, 1t was kiugly, manly.
Jesus tells US that the greatest must
be the servant Of all and sets us the
example himself Matt. Goes Reho-
boam next consulted those of his own
circle who were grown up with him."
men of like position and passions,
vOOtbs aa uavDariauco1 q bg,,-a1p
who had nc sympathy but were wild,
~cOnceited, overbearing, selfish. Reho.
boam asked advice (v. g. of the ed
men, but asked for counsel ". 81 of
the young men, but in neither case is
there any suggestion that God was
consulted (James 1.5). These young
men counseled a 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
well. R~ehoboam's choice of ]counselors
and his consequent course of action
was the height of foolishness prov.
1920.
III. Bad Counsel Confirmed, w.
A--4ta JCAODOdhA . 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 ". Is; Ps. 1910.
This does not, however, lessen his
guilt or folly (Acts 2:23). Not content
ypitH AaaIaripr hi. ana1rtnn.. &c a..
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-
boam threatens added burdens ". Ia.
w. Conclusion. GOD turned away
the kingdom from Solomon's house be-
cause Solomon had turned away from
God (ch. 11:9-11, 81, 33). A true
prophet foretold what would happen,
the cause was from the Lord that he
might perform his saying" ". Is, CT.
1871, 32). God is constantly and lit
orally fulfilling prophecy Those which
have been so fully and so infinitely full
filed are a warrant that in due time
all will likewise come to pass Re
hoboam is a lesson to the young men
of today.
Rehoboam is also a lesson for pres
ent day fathers.
Finally Rehoboam is a lesson to ali
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
courts disaster.
The coming king of kings who in full
fllment of prophecy did come, and
will come again, has a yoke for his
subjects (which is easy" His finger
". 10) and hands were used in loving
ministries and the only chastisement
". III he ever permits is that which
proves US to be sons" not slaves
(Heb. 12:6-11l.