We love a good rags-to-riches story, don’t we? Maybe it’s the American dream ingrained in our social imagination. Or perhaps it’s just natural for us to aspire to greater influence. Power isn’t an inherent evil, after all. But when power isn’t continually surrendered to the One with ultimate power, what results is something like the reign of Rehoboam.
Rehoboam, son of Solomon, could hardly say he had ever experienced a life of “rags” before his “riches.” His father was one of the wealthiest and most influential kings in history! But Rehoboam did experience a shift in his access to power when he became king over all of Israel, then king over the southern kingdom of Judah. But, unfortunately, “When Rehoboam had established his sovereignty and royal power, he abandoned the law of the LORD—he and all Israel with him” (2Chronicles 12:1).
When Solomon took the throne, he was granted wisdom because he humbly sought and asked God for it. But when Rehoboam took the throne, he immediately fell short of his father’s legendary governing wisdom—leading to the split of the kingdom of Israel. Though he did manage to fortify cities in Judah, Rehoboam lost sight of the foremost factor in faithful leadership: consistent worship of the One, true God.
The Chronicler describes Rehoboam’s departure from the law of God as unfaithfulness to the Lord. He and the people of Judah had betrayed their covenant relationship with God, who had been faithful to them for centuries. So in order to remind His people that His leadership is far better than the ways of the world, God allowed King Shishak of Egypt to battle and oppress Judah, leading to the loss of cities and much of the royal and temple treasures.
In the face of such great turmoil, “the leaders of Israel and the king humbled themselves and said, ‘The LORD is righteous’” (v.6). Mercifully, God’s discipline didn’t equal their destruction. And, praise the Lord, it doesn’t equal ours.
No matter who you are, there is someone who looks up to you or depends on you. That is power. But we so easily forget that our access to power, sphere of influence, and lives are meant to be surrendered to God day by day. Our tongues speak ill of others, our eyes linger on pornographic images or words, and our feet rush into decisions without sincere prayer. We find ourselves wondering, “How in the world did I let myself do that? And, how in the world will God accept me back?”
Rehoboam reminds us that repentance is the doorway to deliverance. We can confess to God how we’ve turned away from His Word. We can experience His cleansing kindness. We can remember how Jesus, the greater Son of David, laid down His power for our sake.
We can trust that, even now, He rules in righteousness, helping us wisely wield power by yielding it to Him first.
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42 thoughts on "Rehoboam Abandons God’s Law"
Wow!! This is good! Thanks for you words. Praying I PREPARE my heart all day every day! Thanks Heidi!
Wow!! This is good! Thanks for you words. Praying i
Wow! Thank you Heidi!
Thanks Heidi, this is so good to be reminded of.
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@Lynn from Al: prayers for Jack’s healing and grace for you.
@Michelle Patire: ❤️ Isaiah 55:12
After reading the passages today, a few key points I jotted down, and wanted to share:
1. Keep (godly) instructions to live. Don’t refuse correction (needs great humility).
2. Seek godly counsel from the “elders” (godly counsels promotes peace and good words to the hearers, and humbleness from the speakers, 2 Chronicles 10:7), discern wicked counsel of “youngsters” (that promotes self, pride, retaliation that stirs up strife and discord). Who are the elders and youngsters? Elders are the spiritually mature and have been tried by God, not (necessarily young or old in age), but discern by their maturity in characters and response.
3. Discern generational pattern (king Rehoboam also desired many wives (2 Chronicles 11:23)- lustful pattern from his dad Solomon), questions to self: what negative habits and tendencies I have inherited from parents or grandparents? May God stop the vicious cycle with me by deliverance, so my children won’t suffer the same setbacks/limitations from my way of living.
4. Seeking God needs proper preparation (he did evil because he prepared not his heart to seek the Lord, 2 Chronicles 12:14 KJV). Preparation takes time, therefore be ready to spend time to prep our hearts properly and carefully, the heart is where from all issues of life will manifest, every hidden thing will surely come out. It’s worth the preparation.
Praise the Lord for His mercy endures forever!
Be blessed dear sisters.
Dear Heidi! This sentence stuck out to me as well. I agree! Such a good reminder
Lord help us parents surrender the position of power and authority you’ve given us over our children to you daily. Help us to not go on power trips out of annoyance but rather be patient servant leaders like you!
I ask the Holy Spirit everyday for wisdom and discernment. How many times am I not listening to the response.
But I tend to be very short and I know in my heart I am not being Christ like. This coworker has had a hard time fitting in and I feel I could do better to make it easier for her. Yet in the midst of being frustrated I don’t always put my best foot forward and I tend to be very quiet. My other coworker said I’m being too hard on myself but I don’t feel like that! @Ash praying for your husband! @Rhonda J even in your trials you’re still so positive! Praying for the darn foot to heal quickly. @Mari V. Praying for your court date and for your son! Everything he is navigating with dating is so hard and I completely feel for him. @Lynne from Alabama praying for Jack! I can’t imagine what you’re going through but I know you’re both so strong. Praying for all other prayer requests I didn’t mention happy Thursday!
I have felt this guilt this week about how I have not been the kindest to a coworker. If I get frustrated I don’t like to say anything because people all do work differently
Wow – I’m so grateful for the context behind the reading today, and the chance to dive deeper into God’s Word! I read 1 Kings 11:29–39 after reading the first part of scripture in order to understand the prophecy behind Jeroboam and the kingdom being split the way it was.
Other lessons and takeaways:
-Who are we going to listen to? We are fighting a spiritual battle. If we are soldiers in God’s army, then He is the commander. Why would we take advice and counsel from the enemy? The devil is sneaky and has shown to use little things to pull believers away from God. Look at Adam and Eve, David and Bathsheba, Solomon and the daughter of Pharoah which led to a thousand wives and turning to their gods. And that’s why it’s so important to abide in God, grow in relationship with Him everyday – so we know Him and can discern His truth from the lies of the world and the enemy. How can we know this if we’re not consistently rooted in Truth? (Key word: consistently)
-We all have influence and we need to remember to represent Him well. Even behind closed doors, what happens in the dark will eventually come to light someday, in some way.
-God is so gracious in that He spared Rehoboam’s servants when they repented – instead of destroying them outright, they became servants of King Shishak
Have a blessed day ladies ❤️❤️
2 Chronicles 12:14 states that Rehoboam did not determine in his heart to seek the Lord. That is his greatest mistake.
Lord, may I determine in my heart to seek You always. And when I waver, to always come running back. Thank You, Father, for Your mercy.
Have a blessed day fellow She’s! Love to all and lifting you all up in prayer.
Intentional placement of the heart. I used a bible software I have to figure out more on that word “determine” (or “set’ in some versions) from Chron. 12:14 –
“Rehoboam did what was evil, because he did not DETERMINE in his heart to seek the Lord.”
The word used in the Hebrew means “to prepare and be intent on”… I can often do something and later ask myself “WHY? did I DO THAT??”, but the answer is right there. I do what is evil because I do not first prepare my heart for what is right (spending time in His word, prayer, worship..) and then walk away from that prep-session FIRMLY intent on carrying out what I have taken in through His Spirit. We all know that when we meal-prep/plan, we are significantly more successful in our eating throughout the week – not to mention, we don’t have the daily stress of “Oh – what’s for dinner/what do I need to prep/what ingredients do I have..??” No- we just go into our week planned and ready and when lunch/dinner/etc comes up, we know exactly what we’re doing and that we have the tools necessary to pull it off.
Reading a lot of what we read today, it just kind of hurt my heart. I’m just as guilty of it as these men here, but it felt more personal. And I love love love that the answers are right in front of us! God tells us – hey, you feel far from me? yes, because you left me so my support and protection have left you. Want it back? Cool because I WANT to give it back – reverse your heart. Turn it to me – I’ll take care of the rest.
Prayerfully I hope that I – WE – can remember that our hearts are like hyper little ignorant puppies, willing to chase a butterfly then a squirrel then the wind, then… It will run off into ANY and all directions, so let’s PREPARE it to keep true to our loving God who has nothing but salvation, righteousness and kindness towards us.
So awesome! Thank you so much for sharing!
This is so good. I needed this! Thank you.
I love you all so much!! Your names and wisdom are balm to my soul! The realness, the struggles, the praises- what a special group of women! I have been with SRT for 9 or so years now daily. It is such a life changer- being in the word daily. The studies help to dig in, clarify, and KNOW God’s instructions to us! The stories from the beginning of time, that affect us now, in our crazy lives, NOW.
I am “stuck” on my crutches, trying not to fall over and hurt myself more, and not able to go and do as normal. It is frustrating. Yet, I have been here before. I know I am not the best patient. I get mad that I can not be independent, I am stubborn. Lord, keep working on my heart and soul, let your Spirit guide me, and not my flesh. This should grow my husband and I together, not apart in silly struggles of words and needs. I find so much joy in all the things I do and am a part of Lord, why am I held back from that? Time will tell. I give up my will to yours Lord.
Rehoboam…not someone you would naturally assume as a role model, but, as one commentary I read put it, his life offered a pattern for the returning exiles: faltering in faith is a natural bent of all of us, BUT, it is in the humble repentance that we find true deliverance, even when we don’t experience physical deliverance.
He also offers a pattern OF me, too. Daily do I falter in my faith, turn from wise counsel (even the Holy Spirit), experience the consequences, and ultimately realize that being yoked to Him and His presence is true freedom, and yoking myself to anything less than that is being a slave to sin.
Thankful for time this morning to linger in the WORD and glean wisdom from it. Other days this week have been a rush to get into our homeschool day and I have missed the gleaning that time allows.
God, your mercy and grace are overwhelming, even when you just give a little. It is always more than I deserve, and I pray that you would help me walk in humility and a seeking heart after You!
Thank you @Kelly(NEO) and others who continue to pray for Jack and I. I don’t think I have updated recently. Jack has three enlarged lymph nodes which his oncologist feels are a recurrence of his lymphoma. He will have a PET scan on March 24th to verify this and see if it is anywhere else. The lymphoma along with his dementia diagnosis and his illeostomy make for a lot of caregiving. He has a sitter with him while I am at work but I am there all nights and weekends. I miss so much being at church in person but that just isn’t feasible right now. Please continue to pray God’s mercy and peace for Jack and strength (physical, mental, and emotional) for me as I take care of him while still working a full-time position.
I love you all and pray for your requests every day.
……helping us wisely wield power by yielding to HIM first. The perfect words for me this morning. Last night, and the last couple of nights I have been going to bed earlier. Two days ago I even went to bed as early as 8 AM which is very unusual for me. I need and needed rest. Today is my court date to renew the restraining order. I was already in bed by 9 PM when my son walks in and asked if you could pray for me. That’s all I can say right now.
No matter who you are, there is someone who looks up to you or depends on you. That is power. But we so easily forget that our access to power, sphere of influence, and lives are meant to be surrendered to God day by day. Our tongues speak ill of others, our eyes linger on pornographic images or words, and our feet rush into decisions without sincere prayer. We find ourselves wondering, “How in the world did I let myself do that? And, how in the world will God accept me back?” *Isn’t this all too true?! I’m not really thinking about how my behavior influences others. About the decisions I make.
Rehoboam lost sight of the foremost factor in faithful leadership – consistent worship of the One, true God. *Do I faithfully and consistently worship God? We are so blessed that we can confess at any given time. That He will forgive us and let us start new every single day.
4 ‘This is what the Lord says: Do not go up to fight against your fellow Israelites. Go home, every one of you, for this is my doing.’ ” So they obeyed the words of the Lord and turned back from marching against Jeroboam. – 2 Chronicles 11:4 AMEN!!! They listened and were able to go home! How many times a day does the Holy Spirit speak to me and I do not listen nor do I receive the blessing should I had just listened. I donno this verse just made be proud for these men!!!
Lord God help me to be more Christ like than Rehobaom like when it comes to worshiping You. You are the One and Only True God. Thank You for sending Your Son to die for my sins. Thank You for the in dwelling Holy Spirit, Who is here to keep me on the straight and narrow. In Christ name, Amen.
I feel a lot better today. @Mercy your prayer two days ago was on point. I spoke to my believer friend Nora on the phone and shared how I was feeling and all that happened. The Lord is so good. As she spoke, I could feel the Lord breathing life and encouragement to me. I felt reassured of my path and felt the Lord saying “I see you. Thank you for being obedient. It matters to Me.”
It blessed me so much. She is one of the most empathetic women of God I know. I’m so thankful for God blessing me through her and giving me the strength to pursue the rest of this journey here in the Poconos. Thanks again for the prayers for strength and wisdom. Surely heard :)
May God bless all you Shes today with peace, grace, hope, and most of all, love. Let our works be done in love so that seeds may be sown and fruit bore. May God lead us day by day by day. Thinking of you all and your prayers requests, too- @Ash H, Ally H, Sarah D, Rhonda J, to mention a few & everyone else.. <3
Praise God @Gramsiesue the scan was clear!!!!
I pray as if teach my children, that I yield all power to Him and trust Him to help me lead them in godliness & how He wants me to. To shepherd them with love & grace. I don’t want to be a taskmaster!
I love when she wrote, “ Rehoboam reminds us that repentance is the doorway to deliverance. We can confess to God how we’ve turned away from his word. We can experience his cleansing and kindness.” We are just like the Israelites, we love God then we sin against Him. But as long as we turn back to Him and repent He will always forgive and give grace. Thank you Jesus!
Prayers over all my She’s today! Have a fabulous, faith filled Friday!
So many great responses! I just want to continually be the woman who is going after God’s heart. Praying first, remembering that others are watching, walking humbly before my Lord. Seeking God always first. Praying for all of you!
Father I need Your Wisdom. Let me hear Your small still voice of the Spirit. I seek Your wisdom. Forgive me when I rest on that of the worlds. In Jesus name, Amen
My prayer today is for my kids. God does not force anyone to have a relationship with him. He WANTS us to WANT him. I pray that God helps me model his unconditional love to my children and they can see where that love comes from. I pray they CHOOSE God continually even if it’s not the “easy” thing to do. It just blows my mind that, as I think about the love I have for my children, God loves us just as much and even more! We are truly blessed to be children of a God who not only loves but forgives us continually!
So basically I need prayer for wisdom and to trust the Lord that he will provide!
We have a month to figure out some things. It may mean doing some hard things. It might mean some extra burdens will be placed on my family in time, financially, and labor. It is not bad to do hard things just want it to be the right thing to do!
God is definitely putting on my heart to surrender EVERYTHING to Him – including my fears and doubts. Lord I repent of all the ways I have tried to be my own god over my life, and pray you would lead me to the path of true surrender and obedience! Praying for all my SRT sisters <3
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I have been so anxious and on edge recently- questioning whether every little decision was the right one. This is a good reminder that God has everything in His hands. Whether it is what I will do after I graduate college or what I eat for a snack, God already knows. Please pray for me to remember that all things are safe in God’s hands and that I would would seek Him at all times for all things. Thank you ♡
Oh how I love you, my precious sisters! I love praying for you and alongside you. ❤️
Thank you in particular @ SEARCHING and @ KELLY (NEO) for the way you capture each of our prayers and make it easy to “piggy back” (e.g. when I am scrambling back in the comments for a name mentioned, etc…)
+ @ MARI V + (hedged between crosses)
@ VICTORIA E – For the past couple of months, I have been reading all the readings and meditations (although usually get so behind!) but have rarely read most comments — I have missed your few months, sweet sister, and will try to back to read. Happy to see you.
@ ASH H – Praying special, unexpected blessings through all this. Certainly for healing and energy and boundless joy in your kids despite this being a big lesson about how things often don’t go according to plan, even when we prepare wonderfully. I pray that Jesus be the one to do the “lifting and carrying” of you and all you need to do.
Such a good reminder. 2 Chron. 12:14. Rehoboam did what was evil because he did not determine in his heart to seek the Lord. Lord help me to seek you with my whole heart and surrender to you daily. Also help me to follow Godly counsel because I know this is the path of life.
I love how we see God preserving the line of Judah and David’s line to the Messiah! I pray we don’t fall into the trap of feeling bc self sufficient and forget to depend on God for all the good things and the struggles. I also took away the part about not letting our feet rush into decisions with our first praying and listening to God. How often do I just make decisions without first thinking of God and asking for his wisdom and discernment before moving forward. It is so easy to make haste decisions when things are going well and then it quickly falls apart.
From Bob Bunn, HRT – God never enjoys disciplining His people, but He loves us too much to let us walk away from Him without feeling the weight of our decision.
This love shows up in today’s passages, even in the midst of Rehoboam’s wrong choices, in the mercy of discipline.
Discipline – can we feel His love when He redirects our misbehavior, when we are listening to “guidance”other than His? Thank you, Lord, for Your love!
GRAMSIESUE- praising the Lord for the good news!
Praying for:
DOROTHY – Carol’s tests and her health
MICHELLE PATIRE – wisdom & guidance as you navigate these relationships. For Bernadette, that she will seek the Lord and find purpose.
FOSTER MAMA – for needs to be met for your goddaughter’s mom, that her faith would grow
ASH H – for husband’s healing and strength for you
SHARON JONES – your sister
MARI V – court
GWINETH52 – ❤️
CEE GEE – thank you, I’m going to take a look at Deuteronomy
TRACI GENDRON – you too? I look back and think how I should have been smarter than I was :( So thankful the Lord never gave up on me or you.
SHARON JERSEY GIRL – so true. If there was any doubt, a glimpse at most any Hollywood headline proves it true.
It’s so hard to see the unfaithfulness of Israel, but even harder to see it reflected in me. The times that I don’t consult God on decisions are the times I struggle most. My prayer is that my heart is always facing my savior and that my mind is always seeking his wisdom. Oh to have a heart like David and wisdom like Solomon. Praying a wonderful day for us all.
The the child of the wisest man in the world did not gain understanding of what it ment to lead well. Did the boy never read Proverbs? Take heart all of you with wayward children. Whether you have faihfully modeled a Christian life or not, your children make their own decisions about their faithfulness to God.
GRAMSIESUE – thank the Lord for His kindness to you and Steve.
LYNNE FROM AL – continuing to pray for Jack
INDIANA CHRISTINA – how is Tammy?
MARI V – continuing to speak the peace of Jesus over your heart and mind today
SHARRON JONES – praying the Lord will draw your sister to Himself
FOSTER MAMA – praying the Lord will encourage your friend and fan the flicker of faith into a steady flame.
Aren’t we so blessed that Jesus came to be the good and better king for us? He takes the burden of his father and makes it easy, takes the yoke of his father and makes it light! He gives us rest for our souls. He’s done the work on the cross and I can take full custody of my inheritance with repentance and faith in the Lord. Praise God for that!