Monday, July 1, 2013

Civil Unrest Spreads

I Kings 11:26-43

“And Jeroboam the son of Nebat, an Ephrathite of Zereda, Solomon's servant, whose mother's name was Zeruah, a widow woman, even he lifted up his hand against the king.” (I Kings 11:26)

As a result of Solomon’s turning away from God, problems began to develop.  The economy was not as strong as it had been and people began to find it difficult to pay their taxes so Solomon could live in such and extravagant fashion.  One man in particular began to be a thorn in Solomon’s side, one of his former servants, Jeroboam.

"And this was the cause that he lifted up his hand against the king: Solomon built Millo, and repaired the breaches of the city of David his father.   And the man Jeroboam was a mighty man of valour: and Solomon seeing the young man that he was industrious, he made him ruler over all the charge of the house of Joseph.” (I Kings 11:27-28)

During the construction of the fort at Millo, Solomon noticed a hard working and brave young man named Jeroboam, from the4 tribe of Ephraim.  Recognizing his ability, Solomon promoted him to oversee his interests in the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh.

“And it came to pass at that time when Jeroboam went out of Jerusalem, that the prophet Ahijah the Shilonite found him in the way; and he had clad himself with a new garment; and they two were alone in the field: And Ahijah caught the new garment that was on him, and rent it in twelve pieces: And he said to Jeroboam, Take thee ten pieces: for thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel, Behold, I will rend the kingdom out of the hand of Solomon, and will give ten tribes to thee: (But he shall have one tribe for my servant David's sake, and for Jerusalem's sake, the city which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel:) Because that they have forsaken me, and have worshipped Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, Chemosh the god of the Moabites, and Milcom the god of the children of Ammon, and have not walked in my ways, to do that which is right in mine eyes, and to keep my statutes and my judgments, as did David his father.” (I Kings11:29-33)

When Saul rebelled against God, he sent Samuel to anoint David to be the next king.  When Solomon turned away from God, he sent the prophet Ahijah to anoint Jeroboam to be the next king.  

Adonijah was wearing a new garment which he took and ripped into twelve pieces, representing each of the twelve tribes.  Jeroboam was to receive ten of the twelve tribes because Solomon had turned away from God to the gods of the Zidonians, Moabites, and Ammonites instead of obeying God.  Solomon was of the tribe of Judah, and it was simply expected that they would stick with him, but because of the promises to David, one additional tribe would stay with David’s family.

 “Howbeit I will not take the whole kingdom out of his hand: but I will make him prince all the days of his life for David my servant's sake, whom I chose, because he kept my commandments and my statutes: But I will take the kingdom out of his son's hand, and will give it unto thee, even ten tribes.  And unto his son will I give one tribe, that David my servant may have a light alway before me in Jerusalem, the city which I have chosen me to put my name there.” (I Kings 11:34-36) 

For David’s sake, Solomon would be allowed to reign over all Israel as long as he lived, because David obeyed God fully.  When Solomon died, his son would get to keep his own tribe and one other, while Jeroboam would be king over the other ten.  Judah and the other tribe that Stayed with David’s family would remain so that there would always be one of David’s family king in Jerusalem as God had promised David.

“And I will take thee, and thou shalt reign according to all that thy soul desireth, and shalt be king over Israel.  And it shall be, if thou wilt hearken unto all that I command thee, and wilt walk in my ways, and do that is right in my sight, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as David my servant did; that I will be with thee, and build thee a sure house, as I built for David, and will give Israel unto thee.  And I will for this afflict the seed of David, but not for ever. ” (I Kings 11:37-39)

God made the same offer to Jeroboam as he had mate to Solomon, that if he would serve God, he and his descendants could be permanent kings over Israel, sure of their position.  Because of Solomon’s sin David’s family would suffer for a time, but not permanently.

“Solomon sought therefore to kill Jeroboam. And Jeroboam arose, and fled into Egypt, unto Shishak king of Egypt, and was in Egypt until the death of Solomon.” (I Kings, 11:40) 

Like Saul, rather than asking forgiveness and repenting, Solomon decided to change God’s plan by killing the one God had anointed as the next king.  Jeroboam was forced to flee to Egypt for asylum.   Solomon’s unfair treatment of Jeroboam and the worsening situations in Israel Called people’s attention to Jeroboam, and caused division in the kingdom, and especially when they learned that God had chosen Jeroboam as the next king.  

“And the rest of the acts of Solomon, and all that he did, and his wisdom, are they not written in the book of the acts of Solomon?  And the time that Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel was forty years.  And Solomon slept with his fathers, and was buried in the city of David his father: and Rehoboam his son reigned in his stead.” (I Kings 11:41-43)  

Solomon reigned forty years, and when he died, his son Rehoboam ascended to the throne.  A complete history of Solomon’s reign was kept, but has not been preserved by God as part of the scriptures. 

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