Sunday, October 20 – 2 Chronicles 10, 11 – Additional Reading: Prophets and Kings, Chapter 6, “The Rending of the Kingdom”
1. What happened to Adoram, Rehoboam’s tax collector? (2 Chronicles 10:18)
2. How permanent was the separation between the kingdoms of Judah and Israel? (2 Chronicles 10:19)
3. How long did the stability of Rehoboam’s kingdom last? (2 Chronicles 11:17)
Commentary and Reflection:
In today’s chapters, we revisit the story of Rehoboam of Judah and Jeroboam of Israel, first read in 1 Kings 12. Both acted with foolishness: Rehoboam ignored wise counsel, leading to the division of the kingdom, while Jeroboam overstepped his authority and led the people into idolatry.
The division of the kingdom was a tragic event and marked the beginning of the downfall of Israel as a nation due to its rebellion and unfaithfulness to the covenant. The Lord had told Solomon, “Because you have done this and have not kept My covenant and My statutes which I have commanded you, I will surely tear the kingdom away from you and give it to your servant. Nevertheless, I will not do it in your days, for the sake of your father David; I will tear it out of the hand of your son. However, I will not tear away the whole kingdom; I will give one tribe to your son for the sake of My servant David and for the sake of Jerusalem, which I have chosen” (1 Kings 11:11-13).
Due to Rehoboam’s folly, the kingdom was divided, and it was only a matter of time before both Judah and Israel were conquered and taken into captivity. This division began the withdrawal of God’s promises to Israel as a nation. Ellen White in Prophets and Kings states, “With the rending of the kingdom early in Rehoboam’s reign the glory of Israel began to depart, never again to be regained in its fullness” (PK 96). The covenant and its promises would be extended into the future and fulfilled through the children of Abraham by faith.
As previously discussed, the Lord did not predestine Rehoboam’s pride and folly to force the fulfillment of His judgment. Instead, God allowed Rehoboam and the people to follow their hearts’ inclinations. The division of the kingdom was not a product of predestination but rather a confirmation of God’s foreknowledge.
Despite the sadness of this history, there are three positive aspects:
- When Rehoboam was warned by Shemaiah the prophet, not to go to war against Israel, “they obeyed the words of the LORD and turned back from attacking Jeroboam” (2 Chronicles 11:4). This decision gave Rehoboam a chance to preserve what was left of his kingdom.
- The priests and Levites, who Jeroboam dismissed for political reasons, all went to serve in the kingdom of Judah (2 Chronicles 11:13-14).
- Some Israelites did not follow Jeroboam into apostasy but remained faithful to worship in Jerusalem, as the Lord had commanded (2 Chronicles 11:16).
“So they strengthened the kingdom of Judah and made Rehoboam the son of Solomon strong for three years, because they walked in the way of David and Solomon for three years” (2 Chronicles 11:17). The SDA Bible Commentary explains, “The influx of the priests and of devout worshipers of God into Judah doubtless had the effect of bringing about a greater earnestness in the religious life of the southern kingdom, and contributed to the moral strength of the nation.” (SDA Bible Commentary, 2 Chronicles 11:17).
To replace the true worship of the Lord, Jeroboam instituted worship “for the demons” (11:15) and set up golden calves in the “high places.” A “high place” was an elevated site dedicated to worship, located on hills, mountains, or a platform, and used by the Canaanites to worship false gods. In biblical history, these places are referred to as locations where altars, shrines, or temples were built to offer sacrifices, burn incense, and engage in religious rituals, often disobeying God’s commandments. Jeroboam copied this practice to draw the people away from worshiping in Jerusalem.
The evil actions of these two rulers could not stop the true worship of God by His faithful followers or the fulfillment of His purpose in the history of His people.
May the Lord grant us clear discernment and courage to remain faithful to His commands and plan despite the distractions and schemes of those seeking their own interests.
May the Lord grant you a day full of His blessings.
Pastor Abel Paulin