1. The request: 1 Kings 12:1-5
2. The recommendation: 1 Kings 12:6-11
3. The resolution: 1 Kings 12:12-15
4. The response: 1 Kings 12:16-20
5. The revelation: 1 Kings 12:21-24
6 takeaways
- We need to recognize wise, practical, and seasoned council over brash popular antics. Rehoboam was foolish for failing to listen to wise, practical, and seasoned council, and instead thinking that his intimidation would cower his opponents into submission.
14 Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety. Proverbs 11:14 (ESV)
- We need to always honor God’s authority and plan rather than trying to help God and manipulate the situation. Jeroboam was promised the 10 tribes but rebelling against the house of David was in opposition to God’s general will; and therefore, not the way to go about it.
9 But David said to Abishai, “Do not destroy him, for who can put out his hand against the LORD’s anointed and be guiltless?” 1 Samuel 26:9 (ESV)
- We need to ask the Lord what His will is and then submit. There was not a prophet, priest, or divine prayer requested to discern what God would have either side to do. The event seems to describe how self-reliant these men were on their own wisdom.
14 So the men took some of their provisions, but did not ask counsel from the LORD. 15 And Joshua made peace with them and made a covenant with them, to let them live, and the leaders of the congregation swore to them.
Joshua 9:3-15 (ESV)
- God is so sovereign, that He is not the author of evil, He does no evil, and He does not tempt to evil, but He still uses evil men and their decisions to bring about His holy and righteous purposes.
14 King Rehoboam spoke to them according to the counsel of the young men, saying, “My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add to it. My father disciplined you with whips, but I will discipline you with scorpions.” 15 So the king did not listen to the people, for it was a turn of affairs brought about by God that the LORD might fulfill his word, which he spoke by Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam the son of Nebat. 2 Chronicles 10:14-15 (ESV)
- God’s purpose will ultimately prevail, but will we honor God in our decisions and the manner His will is performed? (Jeroboam)
21 Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand. Proverbs 19:21 (ESV)
We need to recognize that there is a time when it is God’s desire that we give up and cut our losses. To his credit, Rehoboam backed down when the Lord communicated through the prophet, Shemaiah.