Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin. - James 4:17
Despite having been warned by the man of God from Judah, King Jeroboam of Israel continued his idolatrous ways. He set up false gods and idols, appointed pagan priests, and even created his own feast day. Meanwhile, King Rehoboam of Judah abandoned his initial faithfulness to God and began acting wickedly as well. Both the northern and southern kingdoms got off to a rocky start…
In this morning’s sermon we will take a final look at the kingships of Jeroboam and Rehoboam. Neither of these 2 men was a godly king. Sadly, the people of Israel and Judah went along with and suffered the consequences of poor leadership.
I. AHIJAH’S PROPHECY AGAINST JEROBOAM (1 Kings 14:1-20)
King Jeroboam’s son Abijah became deathly sick, so he sent his wife to the prophet Ahijah in Shiloh to find out if the child would survive. He told her to wear a disguise and conceal her identity so that Ahijah would not know that she was his wife. Ahijah was the same man who had told Jeroboam earlier that God would make him king of Israel (1 Kings 11:29-39). So she went, taking some cakes, bread, and honey with her as a gift for Ahijah.
Now Ahijah had grown old and his vision was poor. The Lord spoke to Ahijah and told him in advance that Jeroboam’s wife was coming to inquire about their son’s health, and that she would pretend to be another woman. So when Jeroboam’s wife arrived, the prophet immediately recognized her true identity and called her out. Then he proceeded to deliver a harsh warning for Jeroboam.
Ahijah prophesied that King Jeroboam’s house would be completely cut off from Israel and his royal line severed, because of the great idolatry that he had committed. God had graciously made him king and promised to bless him if he remained faithful, but Jeroboam sinned and led Israel astray. For his brazen disobedience, every male in Jeroboam’s house would die and their remains would be picked over by the dogs and the birds. Furthermore, Ahijah told Jeroboam’s wife that their sickly son would die as soon as she returned home, and that he would be the only male of Jeroboam’s entire household to be properly buried.
Abijah also prophesied that the kingdom of Israel would be shaken, uprooted, and scattered beyond the Euphrates River because they had embraced the idolatrous ways of King Jeroboam. This prophecy was fulfilled many years later when the northern kingdom fell to Assyria. When the king’s wife returned home to Tirzah (which had apparently replaced Shechem as the capital city), Jeroboam’s son died and was buried just as Ahijah predicted. In all, Jeroboam reigned in Israel for 22 years. When he died, his son Nadab became king.
II. SHISHAK OVERPOWERS REHOBOAM (1 Kings 14:25-28; 2 Chronicles 12:1-12)
In the 5th year of King Rehoboam, Shishak, the king of Egypt, along with his vast army and several African allies, invaded the southern kingdom. He captured the fortified cities of Judah as far north as Jerusalem. The prophet Shemaiah, who had spoken to Rehoboam earlier (1 Kings 12:22-24), came to the king and his princes to explain that God had allowed this Egyptian conquest to occur because Rehoboam had forsaken the Lord. In response, Rehoboam repented, and the Lord determined not to destroy Jerusalem. Instead, Shemaiah pronounced that Rehoboam and the people of Judah would become slaves and servants of Shishak.
So when Shishak and the Egyptians came up against Jerusalem, they did not destroy the city. However, they did plunder the temple and the king’s palace and took all the precious items and articles from there, including the golden shields which Solomon had made. Later, Rehoboam had bronze shields made to replace those that had been looted and he put them under the care of his guard. They would be taken to the temple whenever the king went to worship there, but then returned to the guards’ room afterwards for safe keeping.
III. REHOBOAM’S ABOMINATIONS (1 Kings 14:21-24, 29-31; 2 Chronicles 12:13-16)
During Rehoboam’s reign the kingdom of Judah did evil in the sight of the Lord and provoked Him to jealousy. Following his lead, they built high places, pillars, and set up pagan images on the hills and beneath the luxuriant trees. They allowed male cult prostitutes in the land and committed the same evil abominations that the Canaanites had practiced before them.
There was ongoing war between Rehoboam and Jeroboam throughout their respective reigns. Rehoboam, the son of Solomon and Naamah the Ammonitess, ruled over the southern kingdom of Judah from his palace in Jerusalem for 17 years. When he died, he was buried in Jerusalem and his son Abijam (or Abijah) took his place.
CONCLUSION
While still a servant of King Solomon, the LORD spoke to Jeroboam through the prophet Ahijah and promised to make him king. Furthermore, God promised to bless Jeroboam if he remained obedient. However, years later when Jeroboam became king just as had been foretold, he chose to set up idols and worship false gods in order to protect his own political power. But, did you notice, when things got desperate and his son became seriously ill, Jeroboam turned back to God for help? He was too arrogant to admit that his false gods were powerless to save, so he asked his wife to disguise herself hoping that Ahijah wouldn’t recognize who she was. Sad. Jeroboam’s actions suggest that He knew God’s power and legitimacy all along, yet he knowingly chose to disregard Him whenever he felt it was in his best interests.
There is a popular saying that goes something like this, “Don’t bite the hand that feeds you.” This is exactly what Jeroboam did. God elevated him to a position of royalty and renown. God granted him prosperity and success. Then, once in power, Jeroboam forsook the LORD and followed his own carnal and selfish ambitions. Is it any wonder that God’s judgment fell upon him and his household?
As for Rehoboam, he was the son of Solomon and the grandson of David. He had grown up watching the temple being built in Jerusalem and hearing wonderful things about God. The opening chapters of Proverbs are addressed to Solomon’s son, suggesting that perhaps Rehoboam was among the first recipients of these wise sayings. Surely he was raised to fear God and walk in the ways of David. Nevertheless, as king, Rehoboam provoked the LORD by allowing despicable practices and pagan worship. He led Judah to sin.
To use a modern parallel, Rehoboam was somewhat like a child who was raised in a Christian home who later turned from God as an adult. He should have known better than to act and speak the way that he did. Beloved, sin is bad enough as is, but perhaps even worse when we know better and do it anyway.
In closing, though Jeroboam’s sin was more egregious and immediately consequential than Rehoboam’s, neither of them were good, righteous leaders. Both of them could have been - and should have been - godly kings, yet both were weak and susceptible to sin and idolatry. May we learn from their negative examples to walk in obedience and faithfulness to the Lord.
Despite having been warned by the man of God from Judah, King Jeroboam of Israel continued his idolatrous ways. He set up false gods and idols, appointed pagan priests, and even created his own feast day. Meanwhile, King Rehoboam of Judah abandoned his initial faithfulness to God and began acting wickedly as well. Both the northern and southern kingdoms got off to a rocky start…
In this morning’s sermon we will take a final look at the kingships of Jeroboam and Rehoboam. Neither of these 2 men was a godly king. Sadly, the people of Israel and Judah went along with and suffered the consequences of poor leadership.
I. AHIJAH’S PROPHECY AGAINST JEROBOAM (1 Kings 14:1-20)
King Jeroboam’s son Abijah became deathly sick, so he sent his wife to the prophet Ahijah in Shiloh to find out if the child would survive. He told her to wear a disguise and conceal her identity so that Ahijah would not know that she was his wife. Ahijah was the same man who had told Jeroboam earlier that God would make him king of Israel (1 Kings 11:29-39). So she went, taking some cakes, bread, and honey with her as a gift for Ahijah.
Now Ahijah had grown old and his vision was poor. The Lord spoke to Ahijah and told him in advance that Jeroboam’s wife was coming to inquire about their son’s health, and that she would pretend to be another woman. So when Jeroboam’s wife arrived, the prophet immediately recognized her true identity and called her out. Then he proceeded to deliver a harsh warning for Jeroboam.
Ahijah prophesied that King Jeroboam’s house would be completely cut off from Israel and his royal line severed, because of the great idolatry that he had committed. God had graciously made him king and promised to bless him if he remained faithful, but Jeroboam sinned and led Israel astray. For his brazen disobedience, every male in Jeroboam’s house would die and their remains would be picked over by the dogs and the birds. Furthermore, Ahijah told Jeroboam’s wife that their sickly son would die as soon as she returned home, and that he would be the only male of Jeroboam’s entire household to be properly buried.
Abijah also prophesied that the kingdom of Israel would be shaken, uprooted, and scattered beyond the Euphrates River because they had embraced the idolatrous ways of King Jeroboam. This prophecy was fulfilled many years later when the northern kingdom fell to Assyria. When the king’s wife returned home to Tirzah (which had apparently replaced Shechem as the capital city), Jeroboam’s son died and was buried just as Ahijah predicted. In all, Jeroboam reigned in Israel for 22 years. When he died, his son Nadab became king.
II. SHISHAK OVERPOWERS REHOBOAM (1 Kings 14:25-28; 2 Chronicles 12:1-12)
In the 5th year of King Rehoboam, Shishak, the king of Egypt, along with his vast army and several African allies, invaded the southern kingdom. He captured the fortified cities of Judah as far north as Jerusalem. The prophet Shemaiah, who had spoken to Rehoboam earlier (1 Kings 12:22-24), came to the king and his princes to explain that God had allowed this Egyptian conquest to occur because Rehoboam had forsaken the Lord. In response, Rehoboam repented, and the Lord determined not to destroy Jerusalem. Instead, Shemaiah pronounced that Rehoboam and the people of Judah would become slaves and servants of Shishak.
So when Shishak and the Egyptians came up against Jerusalem, they did not destroy the city. However, they did plunder the temple and the king’s palace and took all the precious items and articles from there, including the golden shields which Solomon had made. Later, Rehoboam had bronze shields made to replace those that had been looted and he put them under the care of his guard. They would be taken to the temple whenever the king went to worship there, but then returned to the guards’ room afterwards for safe keeping.
III. REHOBOAM’S ABOMINATIONS (1 Kings 14:21-24, 29-31; 2 Chronicles 12:13-16)
During Rehoboam’s reign the kingdom of Judah did evil in the sight of the Lord and provoked Him to jealousy. Following his lead, they built high places, pillars, and set up pagan images on the hills and beneath the luxuriant trees. They allowed male cult prostitutes in the land and committed the same evil abominations that the Canaanites had practiced before them.
There was ongoing war between Rehoboam and Jeroboam throughout their respective reigns. Rehoboam, the son of Solomon and Naamah the Ammonitess, ruled over the southern kingdom of Judah from his palace in Jerusalem for 17 years. When he died, he was buried in Jerusalem and his son Abijam (or Abijah) took his place.
CONCLUSION
While still a servant of King Solomon, the LORD spoke to Jeroboam through the prophet Ahijah and promised to make him king. Furthermore, God promised to bless Jeroboam if he remained obedient. However, years later when Jeroboam became king just as had been foretold, he chose to set up idols and worship false gods in order to protect his own political power. But, did you notice, when things got desperate and his son became seriously ill, Jeroboam turned back to God for help? He was too arrogant to admit that his false gods were powerless to save, so he asked his wife to disguise herself hoping that Ahijah wouldn’t recognize who she was. Sad. Jeroboam’s actions suggest that He knew God’s power and legitimacy all along, yet he knowingly chose to disregard Him whenever he felt it was in his best interests.
There is a popular saying that goes something like this, “Don’t bite the hand that feeds you.” This is exactly what Jeroboam did. God elevated him to a position of royalty and renown. God granted him prosperity and success. Then, once in power, Jeroboam forsook the LORD and followed his own carnal and selfish ambitions. Is it any wonder that God’s judgment fell upon him and his household?
As for Rehoboam, he was the son of Solomon and the grandson of David. He had grown up watching the temple being built in Jerusalem and hearing wonderful things about God. The opening chapters of Proverbs are addressed to Solomon’s son, suggesting that perhaps Rehoboam was among the first recipients of these wise sayings. Surely he was raised to fear God and walk in the ways of David. Nevertheless, as king, Rehoboam provoked the LORD by allowing despicable practices and pagan worship. He led Judah to sin.
To use a modern parallel, Rehoboam was somewhat like a child who was raised in a Christian home who later turned from God as an adult. He should have known better than to act and speak the way that he did. Beloved, sin is bad enough as is, but perhaps even worse when we know better and do it anyway.
In closing, though Jeroboam’s sin was more egregious and immediately consequential than Rehoboam’s, neither of them were good, righteous leaders. Both of them could have been - and should have been - godly kings, yet both were weak and susceptible to sin and idolatry. May we learn from their negative examples to walk in obedience and faithfulness to the Lord.