The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1921-12-15
LESSON FOR JANUARY I
THE REVOLT OF JeRoeoAM.

LESSON TEXT Kings i2:i-3s.
GOLDEN TExT-Thou shalt not make
unto thee any craven image. or any like
ness of any thing that 10 In heaven above,
or that ia in the earth beneath. or that
Ia In the water under the EARTH. thou
shalt not bow down myself unto them
nor serve them.-Ex. 20:4. s.
REFERENCE MATERIAL II Kings
II 1853; i3:i7-l4. %; II Chron. II and II;
lisa A.s-20.
PRIMARY ToPIc-The Story of Two
Kings.
JUNIOR ToPIc-Two Kings who Dis
obeyed God.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOPIC
, Two Kings Who Lost Their Opportuni-
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 Demand wv. Ia.
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
tiplicity OF his wives, this became very
burdensome. The people were groan-
ing under Its weight. Upon the ac-
cession Of the new king, Rehoboam,
the people through their leader. Zero
boam, came with the request that
their burdens be made lighter, promis-
ing loyalty to him on the condition Of
Iightened burdens.
u. Rehoboan's Foolish Decision
wv. 5-15).
I. Rehoboam consulted with the old
men wv. 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 wv.
SID. These young men were most
likely half-brothers, sons Of Sol0mon's
many wives. Being thus brought up
In the luxury Of the harem, they were
ignorant Of the real rights Of the peo-
| PIC thtfCiViC oiCy uoNiSCu thut thC
burdens be increased.
3. RehobOam follows the advice Of
the young men wv. 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.
Rehoboam lost the great opportunity
Of his life.
~. The Revolt Of the Ten Tribes
wv. 1920.
Upon RehOboam's announcement Of
his rash purpose, all Israel cried out,
| what portion have we In Davidf
Neither have we an Inheritance In the
son Of Jesse: to your tents, O Israel
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, 90
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.
". Jsroboam's Substitute Religion
wv. 25-33).
I. He established calf-worship wv.
25-33). az His pretext for wv. 20, 27).
He feared lest the religious unity
should heal the political separation.
His plea was that the people would
90 back to Jerusalem to worship. and
therefore would gradually be led to
acknowledge allegiance to Rehoboam,
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 to build him q
sure house, even as he had built for
David Il Kings II 1887. Had he be-
iieved God, this fear would have been
dispelled. Jeroboam only used re-
llgioD to secure personal ends. He
/, was too shrewd q politician to do
away with religion. He knew that re-
ligion was powerful factor In mans
life. (2) The calves set up wv. 28-30).
When JerobOam set up these Idols he
said, at is too much for you to 60 up
10 jerusalem: behold thy gods, o,
Israel, which brought thee up out OF
Egypt" His religion was the religion
Of convenience.
2. His scheme of worship wv.
1889. Q) He built houses Of high
places ". 81. This was against the
direct command OF God. (2) He made
priests Of the lowest Of the people
". 31). God had set aside the tribe
Of Levi TO All the Office Of priesthood.
In this again, he disobeyed God. (S)
He changed the day Of the feast Of
the tabernacle ". 32). The time Of
this feast was set by Jehovah LEV.
% :a3-34). 90 Jeroboam himself In
trudes into the priests office ". 33).
This act Of presumption on his part
was the climax Of his goddess acts.
All this grew out Of wicked heart.