The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1915-08-05
LESSON FOR AUGUST 8
THE KINGDOM TORN AsuNDER.


hose germs OF oppression, formal re.
Igous observances and the lax ex-
.mple Of an indulgent monarch which
.peedlly led TO its disruption after his
Death. Forty years Solomon reigned,
Nut the latter end of his life was none
loo peaceful. HE loved many strange
uonen" and his heart was not per-
Eect with the Lord his God" OIL, A..
Recon was his adversary" (11:25)
Ind Jeroboam whom he at first sought
conclliate 11:26-28) was finally
thyen from the land ". 400. Chapter
tIeyen contains the prophecy of which
his lesson is the fulfillment And
Pehoboam, his son, reigned in his
stead" (11:43).
/. The Convention at Shechem, w.
Is. This place has an important his.
Eory beginning in the days of Abraham
knd Jacob. II was city Of the Levites
Ind the place where Joshua gave his
tnal charge Josh, 24:1. 25). Abime-
sch destroyed 1t though 1t was soon
Esbuilt Here Israel gathered to con.
tm Solomon's son upon the throne.
jerusalem and Judea readily accepted
Rehoboam as king, but the ten tribes
hssItated and. according to one trans
istiOn there was a years delay during
shich time Jeroboam was sent for and
|terain reforms were formulated " 81.
/ their charges were entirely selfish
| Ind made no reference to the rights OF
LehOyah nor offered any protest
lgainst the increasing idolatry. Be-
Iore allegiance was sworn Jeroboam
s spokesman presented these reforms
v. a and Rehoboam wisely asked for
time to consider the request ". 81.
| H. Good Counsel Neglected, w.
BIZ Rehoboam came of bad stock
th 14:2D, yet his first step was a
wise one. His name means "Enlarger
\ the people," but he sadly belied the
pane. Too long had he lived in the
atmosphere OF luxury and enervatlon.
he northern tribes suffered greatly
through taxation and shared none OF
|he prosperity of Jerusalem. Solomon's
|!Oke,' like that of every earthly mon
Eich, had been heavy Matt, 1929. 30).
| The counsel of the old men was good
W. u, 1t was kingly, manly.
Jesus tells us that the greatest must
( the servant of all and sets us the
|lample himself Matt. 20:2S). Reho-
Oam next consulted those of his own
|Icle who were grown up with him."
nsn Of like position and passions,
Eouths as inexperienced as himself
Eho had no sympathy but were wild,
|ohcelted, overbearing, selfish. Reho-
beam asked advice" ". g. OF the old
|hen, but asked for counsel" ". 81 OF
PIE young men, but in neither case is
Fhere any suggestion that God was
Consulted (James 1:5). These young
pen counsoled a. boasting and burden.
tcme course which brought Rehoboam
+ grief. Oppression always results
rebellion, fact that those who gov
|m or employ others should ponder
pei. Rehoboam's choice Of counselors
fld his consequent course of action
pas the height of foolishness prov.
f320.
VI. Bad Counsel Confirmed, W.
|sl4. Jeroboam's subsequent career
Folirms us in believing that he more
ban all others encouraged and fos.
FsFed the division of the kingdom. But
e and the proud, foolish princeling
Fere both only carrying out the word
pa will of Jehovah ". 10; Ps. 76:10).
ms does not, however, lessen his
Fallt or folly (Acts 2;23). Not content
'ith declaring his acceptance of the
F'H counsel he spoke roughly" ".
y and this verse suggests to us that
lhe old mems counsel was known to
ae people, thereby aggravating his
[uense. Whom God wishes to destroy
Fe hrst makes mad" Rough words
POUND or madden and, "by using soft
EOTds you may lead an elephant by
[at Not content to refuse Reho
Eoam threatens added burdens ". 14).
fsephus says that the people were
Nuck by his words as by an iron
FM' and they at once exclaimed
wat portion have We (the northern
tnOes) in David" ". 16). repudiating
Favld's son and David's tribe. Their
|G cry, ITO your tents, o Israel"
|aeant back to your home and let Ju-
Faa look out for ITSELF"
", Conclusion. God turned away
|ae kingdom from Solomon's house be-
[suse Solomon had turned away, from
PN (ch. 11.9-11, 81, S3). A true
P'ophet foretold what would happen,
r. cause was from the Lord that he
eht perform his saying" ". Is. CT.
FOL S2l. God is constantly and lit.
Ealiy fulfilling prophecy. Those which
|n'e been so fully and so minutely full.
[ued are warrant that in due time
r VIII likewise come to pass" Re-
[.Ooam is a lesson to the young men
'ooay (a) He was imperial and the
Eaaracter of his choice lay in his own
[aAus PROV, 1919. (b) His great
[e' was the sum Of his wisdom in
aan affairs. Our companions indi-
[-s our character. (c) He was not
IaHely ruined. David's faithfulness
[s'eu one tribe Of Rehoboam. Gods
Iaee is unto generations without num-
III and his ear ready to hear the
sa"ehts cry. As long as life re.
a'us 1t is our privilege to serve God |
Flo our fellowmen.
'enoboam is also lesson for pres.
n, uay fathers. Solomon's example |
NJ not measure up to his teaching, II |
uau the chances are the sons his
[s' would have been different. Solo. |