Jeroboam Old Testament King - Amazing Bible Timeline with World History Amazing Bible Timeline with World History Easily See 6017 Years of Biblical and World History Together! Menu April 5, 2016 Jeroboam Old Testament King King Jeroboam’s role in the history of ancient Israel is very important because his rule took place as a result of King Solomon ‘s disobedience. Jeroboam made some significant changes to the worship and lifestyle of Israel during his reign. His actions set off a chain of events that had made God angry with the people of Israel for many years. According to Ussher’s chronology of the Old Testament Timeline his reign started circa 990 BC. He is the first king of Divided Israel. Jeroboam’s Early Days [This article continues after a message from the authors] These Articles are Written by the Publishers of The Amazing Bible Timeline Quickly See 6000 Years of Bible and World History Together Unique Circular Format – see more in less space. Learn facts that you can’t learn just from reading the Bible Attractive design ideal for your home, office, church … Limited Time Offer! Find out more now!

> Jeroboam was born to Nabat, and he grew up to become a respected and well-liked member of his community. His name means “the people contend” or “he pleads the people cause” and his name perfectly defined the course of his life. By the time, he was old enough to work he was recognized by King Solomon as a young man with great leadership and organizational skills. He was also popular well respected by the people of Israel . He was also a natural born leader. King Solomon noticed the positive way that people responded to Jeroboam, and he noticed how blessed he was in the work that he performed. After Solomon realized that Jeroboam was a good manager he promoted him to the position Chief Laborer. God uses Jeroboam against King Solomon Ahijah’s prophecy to Jeroboam There was a prophet in Israel during the time of King Solomon and Jeroboam, and his name was Ahijah. One day Jeroboam was on his way to Jerusalem, and Ahijah met up with him during his journey. The Prophet and King were alone. He informed Jeroboam that he was sent from God to let him know that he would become the next king of Israel.

God would prosper his royal line as long as he kept the Lord’s commandments and walked in his ways. He went on to explain that he would take the kingdom from Solomon because he handled leading his people to worship false gods. Ahijah also told Jeroboam that these events wouldn’t take place until King Solomon passed away. Eventually, King Solomon found out about God’s appointment of Jeroboam, and he decided to have him killed. Jeroboam had no choice but to flee to Egypt to save his life. He remained in Egypt up until the time Solomon died. Jeroboam Returns from Egypt Jeroboam came back to Israel after King Solomon had passed away. He found out that his son Rehoboam was going to become the next ruler. He led some of the people of Israel to Rehoboam’s palace and asked him to be a kinder ruler than King Solomon. Rehoboam denied their request after he consulted with a group of advisors who were his age. Then ten of the twelve tribes of Israel rebelled against him.

The Bible says they did this because God initiated Rehoboam’s negative response (see 1 Kings 12: 15 – 16) Jeroboam starts the Gold Calf Cult Jeroboam eventually becomes King of Israel, and King Rehoboam was prepared to fight against him. God intervened and told both armies not to fight because they were brothers. King Jeroboam then decided to start another religion in Israel. He did this to stop his people from going up to Solomon’s Temple to offer sacrifices to the Lord. He believed that if the people performed sacrifices to God they would turn their allegiance back to God and reunite with Rehoboam. To retain his power he created the worship of the Golden Calf Cult. Jeroboam’s Legacy Jeroboam consistently fought against Judah as long as he lived. He had continued the practice of the Golden Calf Cult up until the time of his demise. The Golden Calf Cult is the one thing that started the people of Israel and Judah to worship false gods and demons. The worship of the false gods in Israel and Judah lasted for a very long time, and it was almost impossible to get the people to stop completely worshipping in this manner.

Bible References: 1 Kings 11: 26 Jeroboam is born to Nabat. 1 Kings 11: 27, 28 Jeroboam recognized as a leader by the people and promoted by King Solomon. 1 Kings 11: 29 – 39 The prophet Abijah tell Jeroboam that he will be the king of Israel. 1 Kings 11: 40 Jeroboam escapes to Egypt to save his life from King Solomon. 1 Kings 12: 15 – 16 Jeroboam returns to Israel after King Solomon dies. 1 Kings 12: 1-14 Rehoboam denies the people request for mercy and the people revolt. 1 Kings12:20 Jeroboam is made the king of rebellious tribes of Israel. 1 Kings 12: 25 – 33 Jeroboam starts the Golden Calf Cult as a means to control his people. References: Rehoboam Rehoboam See also Solomon In the Old Testament, the son of King Solomon. He succeeded his father and reigned for seventeen years in Jerusalem ( 1 Kgs.

11:43 ; 14:21, 31 ). During Rehoboam’s reign, the kingdom was divided into the kingdom of Israel in the north and the kingdom of Judah in the south ( 1 Kgs. 11:31–36 ; 12:19–20 ). Rehoboam ruled over the kingdom of Judah. Art and the Bible - concordance rehoboam, the Old Testament - page 1 Art and the Bible 1 Kings 12:21 And when Rehoboam was come to Jerusalem, he assembled all the house of Judah, with the tribe of Benjamin, an hundred and fourscore thousand chosen men, which were warriors, to fight against the house of Israel, to bring the kingdom again to Rehoboam the son of Solomon. 1 Kings 12:27 If this people go up to do sacrifice in the house of the LORD at Jerusalem, then shall the heart of this people turn again unto their lord, even unto Rehoboam king of Judah, and they shall kill me, and go again to Rehoboam king of Judah.

1 Kings 14:21 And Rehoboam the son of Solomon reigned in Judah. Rehoboam was forty and one years old when he began to reign, and he reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city which the LORD did choose out of all the tribes of Israel, to put his name there. And his mother's name was Naamah an Ammonitess. Who Was Rehoboam In The Bible? A Character Study Who Was Rehoboam In The Bible? A Character Study July 20, 2015 by Jack Wellman Leave a Comment Who exactly was Rehoboam in the Old Testament? Here is a Bible study about character. Rehoboam, Successor to Solomon Solomon had many flaws in his reign yet late in his life he returned to the Lord and sat on the throne of Israel at the zenith of her power and expanse. Never again would Israel play such a powerful role in the region and never again would Israel be such a dominant force among the surrounding nations. The decline of Israel began after Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, took over the throne after the death of Solomon.

Rehoboam would be the last king to sit under a united kingdom where all twelve tribes of Israel were one. Rehoboam’s accession to the throne came at a very difficult period as Solomon had conscripted many to forced labor and had high taxation to creation a burgeoning administrative and judicial system along with an expansive building program. The people were very agitated under the heavy hand of Solomon and near the end of Solomon’s reign, there was much civil unrest. The people had hoped for some relief when Rehoboam came to the throne, but as we will read, instead they because very disillusioned. The King’s Counsel After Solomon’s death, “King Rehoboam took counsel with the old men, who had stood before Solomon his father while he was yet alive, saying, “How do you advise me to answer this people” (1st King 12:6). The king’s counselors were hoping for some relief from the heavy taxation and forced labor of the people so “Jeroboam and all the assembly of Israel came and said to Rehoboam, “Your father made our yoke heavy.

Now therefore lighten the hard service of your father and his heavy yoke on us, and we will serve you” (1st Kings 12:3-4). “Then King Rehoboam took counsel with the old men, who had stood before Solomon his father while he was yet alive, saying, “How do you advise me to answer this people?” And they said to him, “If you will be a servant to this people today and serve them, and speak good words to them when you answer them, then they will be your servants forever” (1st Kings 12:6-7). Unwise Counsel Leads to Division There is wisdom in listening to Solomon’s counselors “But he abandoned the counsel that the old men gave him and took counsel with the young men who had grown up with him and stood before him” (1st Kings 12:8). Instead of listening to King Solomon’s counselors, he listened to his friends instead. “Your father made our yoke heavy, but you lighten it for us,’ thus shall you say to them, ‘My little finger is thicker than my father’s thighs. And now, whereas my father laid on you a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke.

My father disciplined you with whips, but I will discipline you with scorpions’” (1st Kings `12:10b-11). Unfortunately, Rehoboam’s friends gave him bad counsel and it would lead to the kingdom being rent into two separate nations as had been prophesied by Ahijah the Shilonite (1st Kings 11:29-33). “When all Israel saw that the king did not listen to them, the people answered the king, “What portion do we have in David? We have no inheritance in the son of Jesse. To your tents, O Israel! Look now to your own house, David.” So Israel went to their tents. But Rehoboam reigned over the people of Israel who lived in the cities of Judah” (1st Kings 12:16-17).

A Divided Kingdom After Rehoboam’s stubbornness by his refusal to listen to the king’s counselors and instead, listened to the friends of his youth, Rehoboam did much like the nation of Israel had done in the past and would throughout their history; they would bounce back and forth from obedience to going their own way (which was evil before the Lord). He had such a great opportunity to make Israel even greater but instead split the kingdom into two lesser nations and it was the beginning of the end for the nation as they knew it. Never again would Israel be a major player in the kingdoms of the region. How sad because King Rehoboam ignored Solomon’s wise counselors and went against many of the proverbs that Solomon had written like: “Without counsel purposes are disappointed; but in the multitude of counsellors they are established” (Prov 15:22) and “A wise man will hear and will increase learning. And a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels” (Prov 1:5). Conclusion When we ignore godly counsel and do what we think is best, we are cutting off the one, true source of all wisdom and that is God.

God sometimes sends us godly men and women that we should listen to but pride gets in the way and positions of power corrupt our thinking. Such was the fatal mistake of King Rehoboam. Article by Jack Wellman Jack Wellman is Pastor of the Mulvane Brethren church in Mulvane Kansas. Jack is also the Senior Writer at What Christians Want To Know whose mission is to equip, encourage, and energize Christians and to address questions about the believer’s daily walk with God and the Bible. You can follow Jack on Google Plus or check out his book Blind Chance or Intelligent Design available on Amazon. The Story of the Southern Kingdom of Judah - The Old Testament (Bible History Online) Timelines & Charts The Southern Kingdom of Judah "But as for the children of Israel which dwelt in the cities of Judah, Rehoboam reigned over them. Then king Rehoboam sent Adoram, who [was] over the tribute; and all Israel stoned him with stones, that he died. Therefore king Rehoboam made speed to get him up to his chariot, to flee to Jerusalem. So Israel rebelled against the house of David unto this day.

And it came to pass, when all Israel heard that Jeroboam was come again, that they sent and called him unto the congregation, and made him king over all Israel" - 1 Kings 12:17-20 The Old Testament - A Brief Overview The Southern Kingdom (Judah) The Southern Kingdom consisted of 2 tribes (Judah and Benjamin). The kingdom extended in the north as far as Bethel, while in the south it ended in the dry area known as the Negev. Its eastern and western boundaries were the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea. Jerusalem was its capital and it lasted from about 922-586 B.C. Judah was left suddenly independent when Rehoboam flatly refused to lighten the heavy load of forced labor and high taxation imposed on the Israelites by his father Solomon (1 Kin. 12:1-24). Upon Rehoboam's refusal, the ten tribes living north of Bethel promptly declared their independence. But something else occurred along with this Division. An entirely unexpected blow that devastated Judah.

Shishak, Pharaoh of Egypt, invaded the country, plundered the treasures of the Temple and the royal palace, and destroyed a number of newly built fortresses (2 Chr. 12:1-12). Judah never recovered from the sudden loss of her national wealth. Because her land was not as fertile as that of the northern kingdom of Israel, Judah never enjoyed the same degree of prosperity. Rehoboam wanted to attack Israel and reunite the kingdom by force, but a Word from the Lord came to Shemaiah the prophet saying, I Kings 12:24 'Thus says the LORD: "You shall not go up nor fight against your brethren the children of Israel." Judah had somewhat of a better record. Only 8 of Judah's kings served God. These were: Asa, Jehoshaphat, Joash, Amaziah, Uzziah, Jotham, Hezekiah, and Josiah. The rest of the 20 kings were wicked.

In the southern kingdom there was only one dynasty, that of king David, except usurper Athaliah from the northern kingdom, who by marriage, broke into David's line, and interrupted the succession for 6 years, 20 kings in all. An average of about 16 years to a reign. Jehoshaphat's son Jehoram (about 848-841 B.C.) married Athaliah, daughter of king Ahab and the wicked Queen Jezebel; and their marriage led to Baal worship also being established in Jerusalem (2 Kin. 8:18). Jehoram's son Ahaziah reigned only for one year (841 B.C.) before he was killed. The pagan queen-mother Athaliah seized the throne and nearly brought the Davidic line to extinction by killing most of Ahaziah's sons. Only the infant Joash escaped; he was rescued by his aunt Jehoshabeath and her husband Jehoiada, the godly high priest (2 Chr. 22:10-12). After six years Joash was proclaimed the lawful king, and Athaliah was executed.

Baal worship climaxed in Judah during the reign of Ahaz (2 Ki 16). Ahaz (about 732-715 B.C.), was faced with Assyria's rise to power under TiglathPileser III; but Ahaz resisted the urgings of Rezin of Syria and Pekah of Israel to join an alliance against Assyria. Instead, Ahaz sought help from Assyria, against the prophet Isaiah's advice, and received assistance in return for heavy tribute. Syria and the kingdom of Israel were destroyed in 722 B.C., leaving Judah at the mercy of the Assyrians. When Hezekiah (about 714-686 B. C.) succeeded Ahaz, he also disregarded Isaiah's advice and became involved in a coalition with Babylonia and Egypt against Assyria. Assyria, now ruled by Sennacherib, moved against Jerusalem in 701 B. C. It was at this time that Hezekiah constructed the Siloam Tunnel to bring water from the Spring of Gihon into the city of Jerusalem (2 Chr. 32:30). But then something very strange happened.

Somehow, miraculously the Assyrians withdrew from attacking Jerusalem after suffering heavy losses, perhaps from a plague. History leaves a big question mark at this point. Why didn't Sennacherib build a seige mound against Jerusalem and completely conquer it? The Bible reveals something very interesting: Isa 37:33-38 "Therefore thus says the LORD concerning the king of Assyria: 'He shall not come into this city, nor shoot an arrow there, nor come before it with shield, nor build a siege mound against it. By the way that he came, by the same shall he return; and he shall not come into this city,' says the LORD. 'For I will defend this city, to save it for My own sake and for My servant David's sake.' "Then the angel of the LORD went out, and killed in the camp of the Assyrians one hundred and eighty-five thousand; and when people arose early in the morning, there were the corpses-- all dead. So Sennacherib king of Assyria departed and went away, returned home, and remained at Nineveh.

Now it came to pass, as he was worshiping in the house of Nisroch his god, that his sons Adrammelech and Sharezer struck him down with the sword; and they escaped into the land of Ararat. Then Esarhaddon his son reigned in his place. The Babylonians Revival came during the reign of Hezekiah but it was immediately swept aside by Manasseh, who was Judah's most wicked and longest ruling king. The nation never fully recovered from the effects of this evil king. Manasseh's son Amon continued in his father's depravity, but he soon was murdered. His successor Josiah (about 640-609 B.C.) restored traditional covenant religion, which was based on the Book of the Law newly discovered in a Temple storeroom (2 Chr. 34:14). Many did not follow Josiah's example, however, and the prophet Zephaniah foretold disaster for the nation. By 610 B.C. the Assyrian Empire had collapsed under Babylonian attacks, and Babylon prepared to march against Egypt, which had been helping the Assyrians.

Against Jeremiah's advice, Josiah intervened and was killed at Megiddo. After Josiah there was no hope for Judah, the last 3 kings were all evil. The Babylonians swept down upon Jerusalem in 597 B. C. and captured it. A second attack led to Jerusalem's second defeat in 586 B. C. Captives from both campaigns were taken to Babylonia to mark the captivity of the Southern Kingdom. The Story of the Bible - Part One - The Old Testament � Bible History Online ( ) Rehoboam, King of Judah The Son of Solomon, King Rehoboam Took Counsel from Friends Rather than Trusted Advisors Solomon's son, Rehoboam, was initially accepted by all of Israel. However, Jeroboam came with the congregation of Israel to meet with Rehoboam, requesting tax relief. Solomon had imposed burdensome taxes to pay for building projects and public works.

At first, Rehoboam consulted with the men who had advised Solomon, and their advice was, “If you will be a servant to these people today, and serve them, and answer them, and speak good words to them, then they will be your servants forever.” (1 Kings 12:7) But Rehoboam rejected their counsel and consulted with younger men who had grown up with him. Their advice was to burden the people even more. When Jeroboam and Israel heard these things, they rebelled, and in the following days, stoned to death one of Rehoboam's tribute collectors. Rehoboam quickly returned to Jerusalem. Ten tribes of Israel chose Jeroboam to be their king, leaving only the tribes of Judah and Benjamin following Rehoboam. Rehoboam thought to initiate a civil war, but Shemaiah, the man of God, told Rehoboam, Judah and Benjamin, “Thus says the Lord: You shall not go up nor fight against your brethren the children of Israel.

Let every man return to his house, for this thing is from Me.” Rehoboam was 41 years old when he became king and he reigned 17 years in Jerusalem. All of the Levites and priests that Jeroboam had banished came to Jerusalem. Rehoboam became strong, and for three years walked in the right ways of David and Solomon. Rehoboam, like his father, loved many women. He had 18 wives and 60 concubines, 28 sons and 60 daughters. He loved Maachah more than the rest, who was mother to Abijah, (Abijam) who Rehoboam intended to be heir of the throne. Wisely, Rehoboam strategically positioned his sons throughout all the cities of Judah and Benjamin. But as soon as the kingdom was established, he abandoned the law of the Lord. With the encouragement of his wife, Maachah, an Asherah worshipper, he built idolatrous altars and places for religious rites, ignoring God's commands against such things.

“And Judah did evil in the sight of the Lord, whom they provoked to jealousy with the sins they committed, above all that their fathers had done. For they also built themselves [idolatrous] high places, pillars, and Asherim [idolatrous symbols of the goddess Asherah] on every high hill and under every green tree. There were also sodomites (male cult prostitutes) in the land. They did all the abominations of the nations whom the Lord cast out before the Israelites.” (1 Kings 14:22-24 Amplified Bible) After two years of idolatry and disregard for God, Shishak, the king of Egypt unleashed an assault against Judah. He came with 60,000 horsemen, 1,200 chariots and innumerable soldiers, assembled from Egypt and northern Africa.

Then Shemaiah the prophet came to Rehoboam and the leaders of Judah, and speaking for God, said, “You have forsaken Me, and therefore I also have left you in the hand of Shishak.” Rehoboam and the leadership humbled themselves and said, “The Lord is righteous.” When the Lord saw their genuine remorse, and that they acknowledged their sin, He told Shemaiah, “They have humbled themselves; therefore I will not destroy them, but I will grant them some deliverance. My wrath shall not be poured out on Jerusalem by the hand of Shishak. Nevertheless they will be his servants, that they may distinguish My service from the service of the kingdoms of the nations.” Shishak took away the treasures of the house of the Lord and treasures from the king's house. He also took away all the golden shields which Solomon had made. Shishak took away everything. In the end, Rehoboam had failed because he had not followed the Lord with all of his heart. He died and left the throne of Judah to his son, Abijam.

(1 Kings 12:1-24; 1 Kings 14:21-31; 2 Chronicles 10-12) Our Product Ambassadors are ready to introduce you to our full product offering 888-317-4018 Primary 6: Old Testament Lesson 32: Rehoboam Materials needed: a Bible for each child. Suggested Lesson Development Invite a child to give the opening prayer. Attention Activity Put the following diagram on the chalkboard or a piece of paper where all the children can see it. Explain that this lesson can be summed up in two words. In order to discover what the lesson is about, the children must find out what the two mystery words are. As the children guess letters, fill in the appropriate space or spaces if that letter is part of the words. If the letter does not appear in the words, cross out or erase one of the faces and write down the unused letter so it won’t be chosen again. Have the children try to discover what the two mystery words are before all the faces are crossed out or erased. The mystery words are Peer Pressure. Discuss the meaning of peer pressure.

Help the children understand that peer pressure is the influence they and their friends have on one another. Discuss how peer pressure can be negative or positive. Give the children examples of both negative and positive peer pressure, such as joining in with a group that is being unkind to someone to avoid being teased or being kind to someone and encouraging others to join in. Explain that the children will learn about a king who was influenced by negative peer pressure and the consequences he suffered as a result of his decisions. Scripture Account Teach the children the account of Rehoboam from the scriptures listed in the “Preparation” section. (For suggested ways to teach the scripture account, see “Teaching from the Scriptures,” p. vii.) Discussion and Application Questions Study the following questions and the scripture references as you prepare your lesson. Use the questions you feel will best help the children understand the scriptures and apply the principles in their lives. Reading and discussing the scriptures with the children in class will help them gain personal insights. • Who was Rehoboam’s father? ( 1 Kings 11:43 .) After Solomon died and Rehoboam became king, what did the people want him to do for them?

( 1 Kings 12:3–4 .) Explain that Solomon had taxed the people heavily, and the people had grown weary of the tax burden. • Whom did Rehoboam first consult with? ( 1 Kings 12:6 .) What was their advice to Rehoboam? ( 1 Kings 12:7 .) Why do you think this was good advice? What could we learn from this advice about how we should treat our families, friends, and neighbors? • Whom did Rehoboam consult with next? ( 1 Kings 12:8–9 .) What was their advice to Rehoboam? ( 1 Kings 12:10–11 ; the reference to scorpions in verse 11 alludes to whips made of several thongs of leather with metal barbs embedded in the ends.) • How did Rehoboam respond when the people came to him to get his answer? ( 1 Kings 12:13–14 .) Why do you think Rehoboam decided to follow the advice of the younger men rather than the older men?

How do you think the people felt about Rehoboam’s decision? What are some of the consequences of being unkind to others? • What was the result of Rehoboam following the advice of his young friends instead of the wiser old men? ( 1 Kings 12:19–21 .) Explain that because Rehoboam followed unwise advice, only the tribes of Judah and Benjamin accepted him as their king. Jeroboam led a revolt against Rehoboam and became king of the other ten tribes. This is how the twelve tribes of Israel became divided into two kingdoms, the kingdom of Judah (Rehoboam) and the kingdom of Israel (Jeroboam). (Note: Although the names Rehoboam and Jeroboam are similar, the two men were not brothers nor related.) • Why should we seek counsel from wise people? (See enrichment activity 3.) Why is it important to choose friends with wholesome values? (See enrichment activity 4.) What should we do if someone tries to persuade us to do something we know is wrong? How does negative peer pressure have a bad influence on some young people today? How can we benefit from positive peer pressure?

How can we use positive peer pressure to help other young people? Enrichment Activities You may use one or more of the following activities any time during the lesson or as a review, summary, or challenge. 1. Write situations such as the following on slips of paper and put them in a container. Have each class member draw out a slip of paper and then take turns telling how they should respond to the situation. Remind the children that they can be a positive influence on others in many ways. a. You have a friend who often asks you to skip school and spend the day playing. How could you be a positive influence on your friend? b. You are staying the night at a friend’s house. Every night before getting into bed you kneel down and say your prayers, but you know your friend does not have that habit. What could you do when it is time to say your prayers? c. A group of your friends wants you to go to a movie with them. You know that your parents consider the movie to be inappropriate, but your friends beg you to go. How could you be a positive influence on your friends? d. You want to go to church on Sundays, but some friends want you to stay home and play soccer with them.

How could you be a positive influence on your friends? e. You have a friend who wants you to go with her to help a widow who lives down the street. You would rather play. What should you do? Why? Ask the children to share experiences they have had or have observed when someone’s example has influenced others for good. 2. Draw the following illustration of the Big Dipper, the Little Dipper, and the North Star on the chalkboard and explain that in the Northern Hemisphere (north of the equator) there is a star called the North Star. (Note: If you live in the Southern Hemisphere, please adapt the illustration to the Southern Cross.) It has been a guide to sailors, campers, and explorers throughout the ages. The direction north can always be located by means of this star. The North Star can be found by finding the Big Dipper, a group of seven stars shaped like a pan with a handle. If a line is drawn through the two pointer stars of the Big Dipper, the two farthest stars from the handle, the line points to the North Star. The North Star is also the last star in the handle of the Little Dipper. Tell the children about President Gordon B.

Hinckley’s experience when he relied on the North Star for comfort and consistency. “After a day of good, hard labor, my younger brother Sherm and I would sleep out under the stars in the box of an old farm wagon. … We could identify some of the constellations and other stars. … [O]ur favorite was the North Star. Each night, like many generations of boys before us, we would trace the Big Dipper, down the handle and out past the cup, to find the North Star. “We came to know of the constancy of that star. As the earth turned, the others appeared to move through the night. But the North Star held its position in line with the axis of the earth. Because of those boyhood musings, the polar star came to mean something to me. I recognized it as a constant in the midst of change. It was something that could always be counted on, something that was dependable, an anchor in what otherwise appeared to me a moving and unstable firmament” (in Jeffrey R. Holland, “President Gordon B. Hinckley,” Ensign, June 1995, p. 5). Discuss how we can be constant like the North Star.

If we decide now that when we face temptations or peer pressure we will choose the right, we will be constant in making righteous decisions and others will look to us for direction. Our decisions will not be affected by fear of what people will think of us or by negative pressure from others. 3. Find out a special skill or talent that a class member or ward member has, such as playing a musical instrument, playing a sport, and so on. Ask him or her to tell the class about it or to demonstrate it for the class. Ask the children whom they would seek help from if they wanted to learn that skill. Discuss the importance of seeking help and following the advice of those who have the knowledge and experience to guide us. Ask the children to name people they could ask for advice about: a. Rehoboam Bible Story Rehoboam Bible Story Old Testament The Breaking Up of a Great Kingdom Bible Story for Children and Adults This famous The Breaking Up of a Great Kingdom Bible Story for Adults, Teens and Children about Rehoboam is a free, printable Bible Study resource which can be read by teens or adults or used at Sunday School for Christian children and young kids.

Enjoy this free, printable short Rehoboam Bible Story for adults, teens, young children and kids taken from the Old Testament. Free Bible Lessons on Bible Stories Please click The Two Kingdoms Kids Bible Lesson to access a Bible lesson on this Bible story for children. Printable Rehoboam Bible Story The Breaking Up of a Great Kingdom The Breaking Up of a Great Kingdom Rehoboam Bible Story I Kings xii: 1 to 24 ; II Chronicles x: 1 to 19 When the strong rule of King Solomon was ended by his death, and his weak son, Rehoboam, followed him as king, all the people of Israel rose as one man against the heavy burdens which Solomon had laid upon the land. They would not allow Rehoboam to be crowned king in Jerusalem, but made him come to Shechem, in the tribe-land of Ephraim, and in the center of the country. The people sent for Jeroboam, who was in Egypt, and he became their leader. They said to Rehoboam, "Your father, Solomon, laid upon us heavy burdens of taxes and of work.

If you will promise to take away our load, and make the taxes and the work lighter, then we will receive you as king, and will serve you." "Give me three days," said Rehoboam, "and then I will tell you what I will do." So Jeroboam and the people waited for three days, while Rehoboam talked with the rulers and with his friends. Rehoboam first called together the old men who had stood before the throne of Solomon and had helped him in his rule. He said to these men, "What answer shall I give to this people, who ask to have their burdens made light?" And these old men said to King Rehoboam, "If you will be wise to-day, and yield to the people, and speak good words to them, then they will submit to you, and will serve you always. Tell them that you will take off the heavy burdens, and that you will rule the land in kindness." But Rehoboam would not heed the advice of these wise old men.

He talked with the young princes who had grown up with him in the palace, and who cared nothing for the people or their troubles; and he said to these young men, "The people are asking to have their heavy burdens taken away. What shall I say to them?" And the young nobles said to Rehoboam, "Say to the people this, 'My father made your burdens heavy, but I will make them heavier still. My father beat you with whips, but I will sting you with scorpions. My little finger shall be thicker than my father's waist.' " On the third day Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam for his answer. And the foolish young king did not follow the good advice of the old men who knew the people and their needs. He did as the haughty young princes told him to do, and spoke harshly to the people, and said, "My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add to it, and make it heavier. You will find my little finger thicker than my father's waist. My father struck you with whips, but I will sting you with scorpions." Then the people of Israel were very angry against the king.

They said, "Why should we submit any longer to the house of David? Let us leave the family of David, and choose a king of our own. To your tents, O Israel! Now, Rehoboam, son of David, care for your own house!" Thus in one day ten of the twelve tribes of Israel broke away forever from the rule of King Rehoboam and the house of David. They made Jeroboam, of the tribe of Ephraim, their king. In his kingdom was all the land northward from Bethel to Dan, and also all the tribes on the east of the river Jordan. His kingdom being the larger, was called Israel; but it was also called "the kingdom of the Ten Tribes," and because Ephraim was its leading tribe, it was often spoken of as "the land of Ephraim." When Rehoboam saw that he had lost his kingdom, he made haste to save his life by fleeing away from Shechem. He rode in his chariot quickly to Jerusalem, where the people were his friends; and there he ruled as king, but only over the tribe of Judah and as much of Benjamin as was south of Bethel.

The tribe of Simeon had once lived on the south of Judah, but some of its people were lost among the people of Judah, and others among the Arabs of the desert, so that it was no longer a separate tribe. Rehoboam ruled over the mountain country on the west of the Dead Sea, but he had no control over the Philistine cities on the plain beside the Great Sea. So the kingdom of Judah, as it was called, was less than one-third the size of the kingdom of Israel, or the Ten Tribes. David had conquered, and Solomon had ruled, not only the land of Israel, but Syria on the north of Israel, reaching up to the great river Euphrates, and Ammon by the desert on the east, and Moab on the east of the Dead Sea, and Edom on the south. When the kingdom was divided, all the empire of Solomon was broken up. The Syrians formed a kingdom of their own, having Damascus as its chief city.

The Ammonites, the Moabites, and the Edomites, all had their own kings, though the king of Moab was for a time partly under the king of Israel, and the king of Edom partly under the king of Judah. So the great and strong empire founded by David, and held by Solomon, fell apart, and became six small, struggling states. Yet all this was by the will of the Lord, who did not wish Israel to become a great nation, but a good people. The Israelites were growing rich, and were living for the world, while God desired them to be his people, and to worship him only. So, when Rehoboam undertook to gather an army to fight the Ten Tribes, and to bring them under his rule, God sent a prophet to Rehoboam, who said to him, "Thus saith the Lord, Ye shall not go up and fight against your brothers, the children of Israel. Return every man to his house; for it is God's will that there should be two kingdoms." And the men of Judah obeyed the word of the Lord, and left the Ten Tribes to have their own kingdom and their own king.

Question: In the Old Testament, who was the father of Rehoboam?
Answer: SOLOMON