The Madison journal., 1921-12-31
IMPROVED UNFoRM INTERNATIONAL
Sll,nldaySchool q
' Lesson '
10y REV r. b. FITZWATER, d. D.,
Ieacher of English Bible in the Moody
Bible Institute of Chicago1
Copyright, 1922, Western Newsnsner rrn,on
LESSON FOR JANUARY |
THE REVOLT OF JERoBoAM.

/
GOLDEN TEXT-Thou shalt not NAL
!, unto thee any craven image, or any lik
u ness OF any thing that is in heaven abov
s or that Is In the earth beneath, or tn.
Y Is IN the water under the earth: tho
snait not bow down thyself unto thei
" nor serve them.-Ex. 20:4, 5.
9 REFERENCE MATERIAL Kipe
u:1o-S; B:l1-l4, %; ii Chron. u and i:
' lisa. A9-O
, PRIMARY ToPIC-The Story of Tw
/, Kings.
JUNIOR ToPIc-rwo 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
Inc movements leading up to the
division of the kingdom began during
:, Soiomon's reign. Solomon was led
astray by his heather wives. His I'm.
PRODUCTION of idolatry displeased the
Lord, and the Lord made known TO
MIN the fact that the kingdom was to
be rent from him.
]. The Peoples Demand ivy. 1-4).
This was occasioned by the burden
or excessive taxation and enforced
labor required by solomon I'm order 10
puild costly houses and temples for
MS heathen wives. Owing TO the mul-
uplicity 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. Jero-
Doam, came with the request that
their burdens be made lighter, promis-
ing loyalty to him on the condition of
lightened burdens.
u. Rehoboam's Foolish Decision
(vv. 5-15).
e L. Rehoboam consulted with the old
men (vv. 80. He at once consulted
the old men OF experience who had
been Soiomon's advisers. Being nc.
qdainted with the conditions as i'm.
posed by Solomon, and knowing the
temper. OF the people, they advised
that the peoples request be granted.
z. Rehoboam consulted the young I
men who had grown up with him wv.
S-l1). These young men were most
likely half-brOthers, sons of Solomon,s
many wives. Being thus brought mn
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 (vv. 12-15). At the ap-
pointed time he announced hfs pur-
pose to the people. He answered them
1oughiy. asserting, his purpose to In.
,rease their burdens and sorrows
lost the great opportunity
~. The Revolt Of the Ten Tribe. 1
w. 1920. !
upon Rehoboam's announcement nj 7
Is rash purpose, all Israel cried out v
wnat portion have we in Dayid, c
q pave we, an inheritance in the
esse: to your tents, o Israel !.
to thine own house, David. &
ehoDoams attempt to collect tribute &
ON the ten tribes was met by ston. &
q Adoram. the tribute gatherer, So &
at ne died. Rehoboam's failure RI 8
'ed tne advice of experienced men s
used the work of two generations to +
undone ina moment. ~
w. Jeroboam's Substitute RELIGION FT
". 25-33). EIl
He established calf-worsbin Wv Ia
$50. tD His pretext for (vx. 2s, 20 In
reared lest the religious unitv !Ql
ouid heal the political separation.
5 plea was that the people wo,,la Ri
back to Jerusalem to worship. and
'reIore would gradually be led to Ri
allegiance to Rebobo.u
his own life would be taken This
or his had its root in his heart Of Ri,
belief. God had promised thropch
Prophet Ahijah to build him Ri,
e mousse, even as he had built fo,
Vid q Kings II :38). Had no ba.
ed God, this fear would have been |
'eiied. Jeroboam only used re.
on TO secure personal ends. He Rim
TOO shrewd q politician to do
y with religion. He knew thar 70. Rim
'n was powerful factor In mans n
(2) The calves set up wv. as-ao,.
en- Jeroboam set up these idols he Wit
!, II Is TOO much for you to 90 mn
Jerusalem: behold thy gods n Rim
e. which brought thee up out Of
pt' His religion was the religion T
convenience, which is very promi. r
today. .-,s. = o''
), ms scheme Of worship. (yy RIM