Theological Commentary: Click Here
This is the
chapter in the Bible that records why the kingdom of Israel split. It isn’t because of an ideological break in
religion. It isn’t because of different
worship sites or practices. It isn’t
geography. It isn’t from a political coup. The Hebrew people split because a powerful
person who has a great life is greedy.
Quite
literally, the people come to Rehoboam once Solomon dies. They know what Solomon has done. He has been quite busy building a noteworthy
kingdom. Solomon has put in a tremendous
amount of work for the benefit of the generation who come after him. He’s been working hard so that the people who
come after him can enjoy it!
Rehoboam,
though, doesn’t want to be seen as the guy who rode Solomon’s coat tails. Rehoboam wants to take Solomon’s reputation
and build upon it! He wants to be the
greatest builder in Hebrew history.
There are
two problems here. The people aren’t
interested in making Rehoboam great.
They were willing to make Israel great under Solomon, but they need a
break. When Rehoboam comes to the people
and tells them how hard they will need to work, they rebel. Rehoboam’s greed is too much to endure. The country splits over his greed.
There is a
deeper underlying cause here. Solomon
was able to do it because God was behind him.
God started the process in David and make Solomon capable of
accomplishing the task. God isn’t behind
Rehoboam. In fact, this chapter is clear
in that what God is behind is the split in the country! These events happen in order to fulfill God’s
Word.
I always
find it sad when personal ambition is our downfall. On the flipside, I also find it sad when
personal lethargy prevents improvement.
There needs to be a balance. When
God equips us, we should go forth and accomplish what God has set before
us. However, we should never let our
personal ambitions destroy the world around us, either. That is a desperate lesson to learn from
Rehoboam’s example.
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