Solomon's death, after a forty year reign, ends an era of peace and prosperity for all Israel.  As a direct result of heavy taxation on the people, the kingdom is split into the kingdoms of Israel and Judah.  From this point forward in the records, the tribes are divided.  The only times the nations of Israel and Judah are united was during the reigns of Kings David and Solomon.

We can draw some conclusions about Solomon's son Rehoboam based on his actions shortly after the death of his father.  Quite possibly he grew up as heir-apparent to the throne because of how united the people were in making him king.  He lived in the palace of perhaps the richest and wisest man on earth. He may have enjoyed an overindulgent lifestyle.  Chances are the peers he grew up with enjoyed a similar luxuriant life. Overindulgent people tend to get what they want in life regardless as to whether it's right or wrong.

IKing 12:8
But Rehoboam rejected the advice the elders gave him and consulted the young men who had grown up with him and were serving him.
This Scripture certainly expresses the importance of carefully selecting others for advice. Rehoboam and many others will suffer because of his decision.
While fellow believers can help us in daily living, it is the Word of God that never fails and should be relied on as our primary source.

IKing 12:15
So the king did not listen to the people, for this turn of events was from the LORD, to fulfill the word the LORD had spoken to Jeroboam son of Nebat through Ahijah the Shilonite.Even today, when nations turn away from God, He will allow disaster to happen.

Rehoboam made some bad choices in seeking advice, but it was nothing compared to what his counterpart Jeroboam did in Israel. 

Oh there is so much to write about concerning the altars at Dan and Bethel. On our trip to Israel in 2005 we were able to see the place in Dan where the golden calves were placed. Interestingly right behind the high place of the altar two golden colored cows were grazing in the grass. Quite ironic wouldn’t you say? We even videotaped the occasion. 

Jeroboam appointed priests from all sorts of people. He instituted festivals according to God’s command but unfortunately he sacrificed to the calves he had made instead of to God. He in effect blasphemed the feast days that God established by having the people worship a golden calf. Then to add insult to injury he instituted his own festival, one not ordained by God.

What connections can we make to today’s church? How many "festivals" do we honor in our churches that have not been ordained by God? For more on this subject, copy and paste this website address http://www.philandpatti.com/chronologicalchroniclesii then go to the writing titled Convenience.

 

Fascinating story about the man of God and the old prophet. The man of God had direct word from God. The old prophet claimed he had heard from God so the man of God discounted what God had said to him and listened to the old prophet. Lesson to be learned – don’t take someone else’s opinion of God’s Word over God’s Word.