The Jasper news. [volume] (Jasper, Missouri) 1898-1924, 1921-12-29
LEssoN foR JANUARY !
rHE AEvoLr OF JERoaoAM.

or that 10 In the earth beneath, or thAt
10 in the water under the earth: thou
shalt not bow down thyselt unto them
nor serve them.-Ex. 20:i, 8.
REFERENCE MATER1AD-I Kings
u;as-la; lsi17-i}. 70; II Chron. u and u;
lisa. As-20
PRIMARY ToPIc-Tne story OF Two
Kings. NJ
JUNIOR ToPIc-TwO Kings who Dis
obeyed God.
INTERMEDIATES AND SENIOR TOPIC
Two Kings Who Lost Their opportnni-
ties.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
industrial Unrest and Its Cure.
The movements leading up TO the
division of the kingdom began during
Solomon's reign.
!. The Peoples Demsnd wv. Id.
This was occasioned by the burden
Of excessive taxation and enforced
labor required by solomon In order to
build costly houses and temples for
his heather, wives. Owing to the null
tipliclty OF his wives, this became very
burdensome, The people were groan-
ing under Its weight. Upon the &C
cession OF the new king, Rehoboam,
the people through their leader. JerO-
boam, came with the request that
their burdens be made lighter. promis.
ing loyalty to him on the condition Of
ilghtened burdens.
u. Rehoboam's Foolish Decision
wv. 5-15).
1. Rehoboam consulted with the old
men (vv. sd. He at once consulted
the old men OF experience who had
been Solomon's advisers. Being ac-
quainted with the conditions as i'm.
posed by Solomon, and knowing the
temper Of the people, they advised
that the peoples request be granted.
2. Rehoboam consulted the young
men who had grown up with him (vv.
SID. These young men were most
likely half-brothers. sons Of Solomon's
many wives Being thus brought up
In the luxury Of the harem, they were
ignorant OF the real rights Of the peo.
pie; therefore they advised that the
burdens be increased.
3. Rehoboam follows the advice OF
the young men (yv. 12-15). At the ap.
pointed time he announced his pur-
pose to the people. He answered them
roughly, asserting his purpose to In
crease their burdens and sorrows.
Reboboam lost the great opportunity
Of his life.
IN. The Revolt Of the Ten Tribes
(vv. 1920.
Upon Rehoboam's announcement OF
his rash purpose, all Israel cried out,
"What portion have we in Davldi
Neither have we an inheritance in the
son of Jesse: TO your tents, o Israeli
Now see to thine own house, David"
Rehoboam's attempt to collect tribute
from the ten tribes was met by ston-
ing Adoram,, the tribute gatherer, SO
that he died. Rehoboam's failure to
heed the advice Of experienced men
caused the work Of two generations to
be undone in a moment
w. Jeroboam's Substitute Religion
(vv. 25-33).
| /. He established calf-wOrship tyv.
25-33). ~ His pretext for wv. %, 27).
He feared lest the religious unity
should heal the political separation.
His plea was that the people would
go back to Jerusalem to worship, and
therefore would gradually be led to
acknowledge allegiance to Rehob0am,
and his own life would be taken. This
act Of his had its root In his heart OF
unbelief. God had promised through
the Prophet Ahijah 10 build him 9
sure house, even as he had built for
David Il Kings IL 1887. Had he be
iieved God, this fear would have been
dispelled. Jeroboam only used re
liglOn to secure personal ends. He
was too shrewd a politician TO do
away with religion. BE knew that re
ligion was a powerful factor In mans
life. (2) The calves set up (yv. 28-90)
When Jeroboam set up these idols hs
said, at is too much for you to go VI
to Jerusalems behold thy gods. @
Israel. which brought thee up out OF
Egypt" His religion was the religion
of convenience.
2. His scheme Of worship (vv
81-S3). "a He built houses of higt
places ". 81. This was against th'
direct command OF God (2) He made
priests OF the lowest OF the people
". 8l). God had set aside the trib'
Of Levi to all the office Of priesthood
Nm this again. he dlsobeyed God. Is,
He changed the day OF the feast O
the tabernacle ~ 82). The time o
this feast was set by Jehovah Uey
29 :Ss-34). "a Jeroboam himself In
trudes into tle priests oniee ". SS)
This act Of presumption on his par
was the climax Of his goddess acts
J All this grew out Of wicked heart.