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11 Chronicles Chapter 10
The Revolt Against Rehoboam
Shechem was a chief city of the tribe
of Ephraim. Ephraim was Joseph's son. Rehoboam was the next in line
to be king after the death of Solomon. Abraham's first altar was at
this place, Jacob's well and our beloved Joseph was buried here.
Strange with all of Solomon's wives, no other son is mentioned but
Rehoboam. So he was the one to carry on the kingly line of David.
-
2Chronicles 10:2 And it
came to pass, when Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who was in Egypt,
whither he had fled from the presence of Solomon the king, heard
it, that Jeroboam returned out of Egypt.
Here comes trouble. When Jeroboam heard
of Rehoboam going to make himself king, he returned from Egypt to
claim himself as king according to the prophecy of Ahijah that 10
tribes would go to him.
I never will understand fighting over
who will be king, who will be president, who will win an election to
any high office. That is one thing I would never want to be. Imagine
the responsibility. They always have enemies, they can't please
everyone, their lives are in danger but most of all they are
responsible for the well being of all under their domain. Yet they
war, fight, bad mouth, murder and spread ugly rumors about their
opponents. Hard to figure out why anyone even wants the job.
- 2Chronicles 10:3 And
they sent and called him. So Jeroboam and all Israel came and
spake to Rehoboam, saying,
- 4 Thy father made
our yoke grievous: now therefore ease thou somewhat the grievous
servitude of thy father, and his heavy yoke that he put upon us,
and we will serve thee.
- 5 And he said unto
them, Come again unto me after three days. And the people
departed.
It seems as if Rehoboam had no
confidence in his own decisions so he waited to consult with others.
- 2Chronicles 10:6 And
king Rehoboam took counsel with the old men that had stood
before Solomon his father while he yet lived, saying, What
counsel give ye me to return answer to this people?
- 7 And they spake
unto him, saying, If thou be kind to this people, and please
them, and speak good words to them, they will be thy servants
for ever.
- 8 But he forsook the
counsel which the old men gave him, and took counsel with the
young men that were brought up with him, that stood before him.
I wonder what would have happened if
Rehoboam would have taken this good advice. Looks like he may have
caused his own downfall here. We reap what we sow. Why do so many
rulers want to be cruel and controlling. We need leaders that are
kind and really care about those they rule over. They don't have to be
tyrants. There are also those though that pretend all the good
things but when they get power, they become tyrants.
- 2Chronicles 10:9 And
he said unto them, What advice give ye that we may return answer
to this people, which have spoken to me, saying, Ease somewhat
the yoke that thy father did put upon us?
- 10 And the young
men that were brought up with him spake unto him, saying, Thus
shalt thou answer the people that spake unto thee, saying, Thy
father made our yoke heavy, but make thou it somewhat lighter
for us; thus shalt thou say unto them, My little finger shall be
thicker than my father's loins.
- 11 For whereas my
father put a heavy yoke upon you, I will put more to your yoke:
my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with
scorpions.
- 12 So Jeroboam and
all the people came to Rehoboam on the third day, as the king
bade, saying, Come again to me on the third day.
- 13 And the king
answered them roughly; and king Rehoboam forsook the counsel of
the old men,
- 14 And answered them
after the advice of the young men, saying, My father made your
yoke heavy, but I will add thereto: my father chastised you with
whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.
- 15 So the king
hearkened not unto the people: for the cause was of God, that
the LORD might perform his word, which he spake by the hand of
Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam the son of Nebat.
- 16 And when all
Israel saw that the king would not hearken unto them, the people
answered the king, saying, What portion have we in David? and we
have none inheritance in the son of Jesse: every man to your
tents, O Israel: and now, David, see to thine own house. So all
Israel went to their tents.
- 17 But as for the
children of Israel that dwelt in the cities of Judah, Rehoboam
reigned over them.
- 18 Then king
Rehoboam sent Hadoram that was over the tribute; and the
children of Israel stoned him with stones, that he died. But
king Rehoboam made speed to get him up to his chariot, to flee
to Jerusalem.
- 19 And Israel
rebelled against the house of David unto this day.
People do not like heavy taxes.
Although this was God's will for Israel to split because of
Solomon's departing from Him and allowing the worship of idols, he
allowed Rehoboam to cause his own trouble. Both kings were not
really very good kings though. So far one man dies in this rebellion
against Rehoboam. All Israel at this time was a real mess caused by
sinning against God.
God's way is always the best way for
the good of all but why people throughout history have ignored our
wonderful God and choose evil is hard to understand. God loves us
but the enemy of our souls does not love any of us. He knows his
ending will not be good so he wants to take all that he can deceive
with him. He is out to steal, kill and destroy and so many will sit
in ignorance and allow this to happen.
This is why God the Father sent His own
Son to make away for all who will believe and receive Him will be
saved. There is a way to escape all this and stand before God
forgiven, holy and righteous. -Dorna
11 Chronicles
Chapter 11
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