1 Kings 14:21-31

TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

The Reign of King Rehoboam of Judah

BACKGROUND NOTES

What was the wrong counsel that King Rehoboam followed when he first came to the throne?
What was the result of this policy?
Describe the reign of King Rehoboam, the first king of the southern kingdom of Judah.
Associated with the idolatry in the land were perverted sexual practices. How did this moral decline come about?
Why did God allow Pharaoh Shishak of Egypt to attack Jerusalem?
Why did the Lord prevent the taking of Jerusalem by Shishak?
What is meant by “there was war between Rehoboam and Jeroboam all their days.” (1 Kings 14:30)

Instead of easing the burden on the people, Rehoboam followed the ill-advised counsel that the king should tax the people more heavily than his father Solomon had taxed them.
The united kingdom of Israel divided into two kingdoms – the northern kingdom and the southern kingdom.
King Rehoboam allowed idolatrous shrines to be built through the land, “and they also built for themselves high places, sacred pillars, and wooden images on every high hill and under every green tree. And there were also perverted persons in the land.” (1 Kings 14:23-24)
Departure from the Lord and His word always leads to moral decline.
Because Israel had transgressed against the Lord.
Because there was a temporary humbling on the part of Rehoboam and his officials.
There were constant border clashes between the northern and the southern kingdoms.

The name of Rehoboam’s mother is mentioned twice in this passage (1 Kings 14:21, 31). This is significant because mothers have a great effect on one’s character. Naamah, the Ammonitess, was Rehoboam’s mother. She was one of Solomon’s wives and it was because of her that Solomon went after another god. With a mother like Naamah, Rehoboam’s character was bound to be affected. Read 2 Chronicles 12:13-14 in this connection. Rehoboam did evil because he did not prepare his heart to seek the Lord. Mothers can prepare the hearts of their children to seek the Lord or not to seek the Lord. Unlike Naamah, read about Timothy’s mother and grandmother and their influence on him in 2 Timothy 3:15. Were you one of the fortunate children to have a godly mother who molded your character for the Lord? Are you a godly mother (or father) preparing the hearts of your children to seek the Lord?
When Rehoboam forsook the Lord and transgressed against Him, Rehoboam lost protection from the Lord and Jerusalem became vulnerable to attack. When people turn away from the Lord and disobey His word, they are wide open to attacks from the world and Satan. As we walk with the Lord and obey His word, and put on the whole armor of God and stop practicing sin, we are protected from Satan. Attacks will come, but we will not be defeated as was Rehoboam, and we will not be robbed of blessing, as was Rehoboam.

Jerusalem was the city which the Lord had chosen out of all the tribes of Israel to put His name. God’s presence was in the temple, in the midst of His people. Today, God dwells in the midst of a spiritual temple, namely, the church, the people of God. This is where God has chosen to put His name. Read Matthew 18:20. Read also Hebrews 10:25.

“Jerusalem…the city which the Lord had chosen to put His name there.” 1 Kings 14:21
“Judah did evil in the sight of the Lord, and provoked Him to jealousy with their sins…” 1 Kings 14:22
“Rehobam’s mother’s name was Naaman, an Ammonitess.” 1 Kings 14:21, 31