For additional notes and resources check out Douglas' website.
Hebrew words:
- Rekhav'am (Rehoboam) -- "The people are enlarged." 51x in the O.T.
- Yarav'am (Jeroboam) -- "The people contend." About 100x. (Note: Jeroboam II is another king. Usually in Scripture Jeroboam refers to Jeroaboam son of Nebat, the earlier Jeroboam.)
Further study:
- Passages covered in this podcast:
- 1 Kings 11:26-40, 12:1-33
- 2 Chronicles 13:6-7
- Also: 1 Kings 14:1ff; Matthew 11:28-30.
- In addition:
- 1 Kings 11-15
- 2 Chronicles 9-13
- To learn about the monument at Karnak, click here.
- Trivia: To learn about Jeroboams and Rehoboams (sizes of wine bottles), click here.
Some things we learn about God:
- God knows what will happen – he knows all things. J’s rebellion, R’s immaturity and harshness, even the civil war that would follow. This foreknowledge in no way takes away our responsibility.
- As with Isaac & Ishmael, Jacob & Esau, so with R and J—Judah and Israel—God was still sovereign and worked his mysterious will. That God is working through events never vindicates evil nor even condones compromise.
- There are extremes to be avoided in leadership. God’s word often shows us the fruits of ungodly leadership philosophies.
For kids: For a children's lesson with some great ideas, please click here. As this lesson is from the Mormons, please skip the “scriptures” from Moroni 7.
Key verses:
1 Kings 11:31 – The Lord intends to work through the division of Israel & Judah.
1 Kings 12:13 – Rehoboam takes bad advice, embracing a heavy-handed leadership style.
1 Kings 12:28 – Jeroboam makes golden calves.
2 Chronicles 13:6-7 – Jeroboam rebels, taking advantage of Rehoboam's lack of leadership experience.
Next lesson: Ahab & Jezebel
