Most
of us have heard the saying about some wealthy parent’s child being born with
the silver spoon in his mouth, but in Solomon’s son’s case, Rehoboam was born
with a GOLDEN spoon, because silver was considered of little or no value in
Solomon’s day (p 190).
Nevertheless, the narrative surrounding Rehoboam’s reign before he had even risen to the throne (cf. 1 Kings 11: 19-13) was not so golden.
Within the first few days of his kingship, ten tribes ceded from his rule and formed the Northern Kingdom of Israel, leaving Rehoboam to preside over what was left of a great nation – the southern Kingdom of Judah.
Nevertheless, the narrative surrounding Rehoboam’s reign before he had even risen to the throne (cf. 1 Kings 11: 19-13) was not so golden.
Within the first few days of his kingship, ten tribes ceded from his rule and formed the Northern Kingdom of Israel, leaving Rehoboam to preside over what was left of a great nation – the southern Kingdom of Judah.
On the other hand, Jeroboam (whom God had the prophet Ahijah anoint as king over the larger Northern Kingdom of Israel) brought about disaster upon himself.
All of his woes were of his own making, to the extent that he will be forever known as “the man who caused all of Israel to sin.” (2 Kings 10: 29).
Sadly, it didn’t have to be. God had promised to make him “king over Israel, to reign according to all that he desired, if he would obey God’s commands and walk in his ways – “I will be with thee, and build for you a sure house, as I did for David, and will give Israel to you” (1 Kings 11:38).
In
one narrative we have a son, born of wealth and prestige, who seems to have
failed as a direct result of the failures of his father (or rather the judgment) leveled because of his father’s sins.
In the other, a non-nobility, having been given the opportunity of a lifetime, failing of his own doings.
In both instances disobedience of God’s commands has led to destruction.
In the other, a non-nobility, having been given the opportunity of a lifetime, failing of his own doings.
In both instances disobedience of God’s commands has led to destruction.
A CLOSING THOUGHT
How
many blessings and opportunities have we missed through our own disobedience?
Does it seem fair to you that the sins of the father can be visited upon the sons? Or do you disagree that Rehoboam’s reign failed as a result of the judgment for Solomon’s sins?
Does it seem fair to you that the sins of the father can be visited upon the sons? Or do you disagree that Rehoboam’s reign failed as a result of the judgment for Solomon’s sins?
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