Start each day by reading the passages listed above. Then use the summary and reflection provided here to guide discussion around the daily reading.
Rehoboam was the first king of the southern kingdom of Judah after a civil war divided the nation. He imposed unbearable labor demands on Israel, leading all of the tribes except Judah and Benjamin to reject him as king. Rehoboam ultimately rejected God and led the people to the same end, calling them to worship other gods.
Reflect on Rehoboam’s relationship with God. What stands out to you about his interactions with God?
Editor’s Note: An earlier version of this prompt included an error about Rehoboam’s actions that has since been corrected.
Leave a Reply
32 thoughts on "Rehoboam, Who Burdened God’s People"
I believe that is one of the most important info for me. And i’m happy
studying your article. However should remark on some common issues, The web site style is great, the articles is in point of fact
excellent : D. Excellent process, cheers
In a sermon recently our pastor talked about people who don’t have a hearing problem, they have a listening problem. Rehoboam had a listening problem. He would hear counsel from respected elders or prophets and mostly ignored it. He did eventually listen but only when they were under attack and more or less cornered. He also didn’t seek the Lord’s input the way his father or grandfather did. He talked to elders and his friends, he heard the words of the prophet, but he didn’t actively seek God’s input in his life. What a loss for him and all of Israel.
Rehoboam was not a good king, he did not follow the counsel of the older men concerning the people. The Father showed them mercy when the asked for it but then Rehoboam caused the people to slip back to their sinful ways.
☹️
Rehoboam’s reign was mostly depressing. He made one wrong decision after another. I find it interesting that anytime things were going on well in his kingdom it was because the Lord was strengthening them. The three years of his reign were they were becoming strong, and then later when Rehoboam humbled himself in front of The Lord. When Rehoboam thought he could rely on his own strength, things went terribly wrong, but when he humbled himself God would make things straight. Lord, I pray that I would rest in your strength and not lean on my own understanding. Lord, let me allows follow your paths and not cling to my own way. Amen!
I feel like Rehoboam didn’t put any trust into his relationship with God. He didn’t seek Him out when he was confronted by Jeroboam and the Israelites. He sought the wrong advice. Ultimately it was God’s plan for Rehoboam, but I still find it sad. And sad for the people who turned away from our Lord.
The two names of the kings were so similar that I ran into some confusion. Thank you KELLY (NEO) for pointing out the detail in question, and I saw the correction note from SRT editor. (When I read my devotional which is after lunch, it’s already corrected). Reading about 2 men, I was hoping one would be the hero and one the villain. But nope …both kings went astray, what a bummer. Thank you ladies for the caution and advice on who we listen to- they are lifelong valid ones. The pitfall of human is, when they are strengthened and established, they forsake God (2 Chronicles 12:1). May we watch when we are at our most successful, at the peak of our career, glory and strength, may we watch our heart, and hold every VAIN thoughts captive to the obedience of Christ. Coming to the Lord in humbleness through prayers and repentance is a good daily habit.
@MICHELLE: love the question… which yoke is easier? Though the narrow road is hard to walk. There is a toss up between hard and easy for the christian walk for sure. Sometimes I expect hard, but i need your reminder.
Lifting up our sisters in prayers GRAMSIESUE, LYNN, SHARON JERSEY GIRL, and other she’s.
Be blessed dear sisters.
@SHARON JERSEY GIRL – praying for your sister and her ability to find a place to stay. That situation is stressful especially with housing lately. @GRAMSIE SUE – praying for the Airbnb situation to resolve without a hassle. Praying for Steve too and his medical bills. As my dad continually has them I understand the stress behind it. Hang in there!
@SHARON JERSEY GIRL – praying for your sister and her ability to find a place to stay. That situation is stressful especially with housing lately. @GRAMSIE SUE – praying for the Airbnb situation to resolve without a hassle. Praying for Steve too and his medical
I am also struck that Rehoboam humbled himself before God and received forgiveness. God did not destroy him completely. However, Rehoboam still suffered the human results of his sin. This holds true today, as well. If we have turned away from God and gone our own way for a while, but eventually come to our senses and humble ourselves before God, we receive forgiveness. Yet we always pay the human results of our sin. I know a young man who was raised by Christian parents, and became a Christian himself. He eventually turned away from God and all his parents and the church had taught him. He fell in to drugs and a really bad crowd. He tried to rob his dad in order to get money for drugs. But he ended up shooting his dad, and killing him. He was convicted of murder and sentenced to 30 years in prison. Shortly after going to prison, he met other Christian inmates, and returned to God. He confessed his sins and God forgave him. He is struggling with how to forgive himself. Even though he received forgiveness from God, he is still in prison and will be for his sentence. He is forgiven, but he is paying the human price for his sins. Just like Rehoboam.
I’d say his relationship with God was completely rejected.
@Sharon, Jersey Girl – thank you for your insightful words. Thank God he always makes a way for us when we have foolishly abandoned him. He is always willing to forgive us our sins and welcome us back with open arms.
Rehoboam seemed to depend on God until he was stable as King. Then he forgot the Lord. I think this is a sign he became over confident.. thinking that life being good meant that he was good with God. I believe this is why we don’t see a humbling until his outward circumstances change for the worse.
Early on he sought counsel which is nice but he never decided to ask God for His counsel. He asked everyone else what kind of King he should be except the one that mattered most.
I’m encouraged to remind myself that “success” at what I’m doing doesn’t mean God is in support of it.
Thank you, ladies for your comments and reminders! Seek God first! Be careful who you listen too. If it’s not God’s way or Word, run! I went to look up notes in my Bible and saw a whole page with part 2Chronicles 7:14: 2 Chronicles 7:14
[14] if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
We, as a nation, and I individually, need this! May God bring us all to conviction and repentance by His mercy. Then, May our laws change and statutes change to be pleasing to Him. May we hate what God hates and love what God loves! May we care more about what God thinks than men. Then, may He please heal our land and may all glorify His Name as we should! Amen!
I also read about the pride of different people. Pride comes before a fall or destruction. May we be a humble people that recognize there’s nothing to be proud of. All blessings and provision are from Him and His power and His Sovereignty. We don’t even have breath unless He gives it to us!
Prayers for these requests mentioned and for all of you. I’m asking for prayer for a little boy. He is only around 11 months old. I believe his name is Sawyer. He was born without part of his stomach from what my mom said. He’s only been home around 2 months since he’s been born. They had to wait in he got bigger to do this surgery. The parents have been going through so much. I’m not sure if the are believers. Please pray for them to know Jesus as Savior and Lord and for their health and the complete healing of their baby! (Or however you may be lead to pray!) Thank you all so much!
@Dianne- I believe the Scripture you are referencing is actually talking about Jeroboam not Rehoboam. It is in the context of the Levites being rejected by Jeroboam. Like some of these other ladies of shared, most commentary point to Jeroboam being the one building high places up for false gods. So I think the She Reads Truth staff who put this together must have read that verse wrong (2 Chronicles 11:15). But either way, we see that Rehoboam was not a man who “prepared his heart to seek the Lord” (2 Chronicles 12:14).
I think Rehoboam did know the Lord, but chose not to follow Him. Because when God sent a prophet during Egypt’s attack, he did humble himself and declare with the elders that God was righteous. His heart was divided bc his father was Solomon yet his mother was an Ammonite (of whom God did not desire Solomon to marry).
The verse that stuck out to me most was 2 Chronicles 12:8 where the Lord declares He will show the difference between service to Him and service to the nations of the world (Satan’s kingdom). It reminded me that we have a choice to make. We are servants of someone – either God or Satan. What yoke is easier? (Matthew 11:28-30)
God bless you Shes.
Thinking of you @Lynne from Alabama, @Theresa’s family, @Molly R’s family, @Rhonda J’s pain, @Gramsisue as your family gets favor from the Lord in this mess, @Jersey Girl Sharon’s sister Arian, @Sarah D in your work situation – the God of grace be with you all and strengthen you as You rely on Him. Proverbs 3:7-8 NKJV – “Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh And strength to your bones.”
Love you girls!! <3
I’ve heard pastors caution many times that we need to be discerning when we hear or read advice from others – does it line up with God’s word? It doesn’t matter if it’s a trusted friend, longtime pastor or renowned Christian author – if it goes against God’s word and His teaching, it will draw us away from God and lead to trouble.
The caution to be careful who we associate with and how close/involved we become with people when trying to set the example and lead them to Christ – the effects of ignoring this caution are laid out for us when we see the kings taking foreign wives and abandoning God for idols.
Rehoboam didn’t like the good advice from those who had supported his father, and looked for someone (his peers) to tell him what he wanted to hear, leading to trouble all around. He later did listen to the word of the LORD sent through Shemaiah and saw peace and mercy from God’s wrath when he and his people followed God’s ways and humbled themselves. What stood out to me is Rehoboam’s determination to do things his way no matter what, and then laying down his pride (at least for a while) to do things God’s way. His behavior and seeking “advice” from his peers struck me as something a know-it-all teenager would do, and then I read he was 41 when he became king …
Regarding the calves made as idols – my reading of 2 Chronicles 11:14-15 is that Jeroboam made the calves. Verse 14 explains why the Levites left (for Jeroboam and his sons had rejected them from serving as priests to the Lord) and then verse 15 details what he (Jeroboam) replaced them with after rejecting the Levites (Then he appointed for himself priests for the high places, for the demons, and the calf idols which he had made.) NKJV
The last 2 verses in that section (16-17) show what the Levites did after being rejected – they sought God, went to Jerusalem (where Rehoboam was) and sacrificed to the LORD – all of which strengthened Judah and made Rehoboam strong for 3 years, because they were following God.
SHARON JERSEY GIRL – praying for God’s solution to Arian’s housing! And your comment on people turning to and from God is so true.
GRAMSIESUE- praying for the Airbnb situation to be resolved (wondering if previous renters may have documented any of the issues or commented about them in reviews), the medical bills to be handled and Steve’s stress to dissolve.
How many times do I seek the guidance and could those who I know will tell me what I want to hear; who will justify my actions? Lord help me to surround myself with those people who are rooted in You and Your word! Help me to “finish strong” unlike the kings who received their power and forgot you! Amen
Good morning, Ladies!
I’m behind on this study because of our vacation last week, so I’m trying to catch up on the reading and on everyone’s lives and prayer requests. Each of you are so special.
We have had some issues with the Airbnb we stayed in with our whole family of 19 adults and children. They are accusing us of damaging things that we told them about while we were there. Things that obviously occurred over time (30 yr old house). If you could pray that this gets resolved without ugliness and fairly handled I would appreciate it. Steve is stressing over that, plus some medical bills from his treatments and the last thing he needs is more stress.
Hugs to all ❤️
Prayer request – please continue to pray for my sister Arian – she has to be out of my dad’s house by Friday, and as of last night, still has no idea where she is going.
14 And he did evil, for he did not set his heart to seek the Lord. – 2 Chronicles 12:14
This is what stood out to me and the fact that he did not heed the wise counsel he was given.
Speaks to me to be careful who I ask for advice. Also, if he had sought the Lord first, I believe he would be more likely to continue to live for God. Such a great reminder to me to seek God first. Stay close to Him.
Amen
Rehoboam sought God throughout his life when he needed help and God answered him. However, as his situation turned around he wandered from God. How easily am I distracted when things are good? When I’m comfortable do I have a tendency to forget the very God who blessed me and brought me there? God often uses hardship to teach us to rely on him, but when you get to the other side how do you continue to foster that faith which was hard won?
RHONDA J- praying for your pain today and for your ministries
SARAH D- praying all is well with your job transition
Even though Rehoboam did not follow God with his whole heart or seek Him , Rehoboam did humble himself so he was not in completely destroyed. God was merciful to him. God is so merciful and kind to us, even if we forget Him, if we turn back. I’d be like “you forgot me? Well I’ll forget you!” thank God He is not fickle! He is the same, yesterday, today and forever! Thank God for His grace as well!
What struck me was that Rehoboam sought counsel from two different sources: the wise elders, and his own crew of young men. And then he listened to his peers, even though it caused the kingdom to break apart. So be careful who you listen to.
It mentions Rehoboam’s idolatry in 2 Chronicles 11:15 (ESV): “and he appointed his own priests for the high places and for the goat idols and for the calves that he had made.”
It seems that Rehoboam followed in the steps of his father – he married many wives and had many concubines. And as Solomon – once his position as king had become strong – he abandoned the law of the Lord.
Being in ministry for 30 years, I have seen it time and time again – someone who once walked with God, who turned to Him when things were not going well, become so faithful in worship and prayer and seek Godly counsel. Then everything turns around – things begin to improve, they gain confidence, security then just like that – they forget all about God and go their own way. Is almost as if they believe – “I’m strong now, I no longer need God.”
God gives so much warning of what will happen if we turn from Him. Yet, He always makes a way for us if we do. He is so merciful and just, and all through the O.T., time and time again – when He brought judgement, He always left a remnant. That remnant led to the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the blood He shed, and to our salvation. Praise God for His love, mercy and grace!
@Kelly Neo – Jeroboam made two golden calves because he was afraid if the people went to the temple in Jerusalem they would give their allegiance to Rehoboam. (1Kings 12:25-30)
Happy Tuesday everyone!
How quickly the child strays from God when the parents faith falters.
I was going to ask the same. Reads to me that Jeroboam was the one with the goat and calves. It really doesn’t mentioned Rehoboam’s relationship with God much at all. Which, leads me to believe, he didn’t have much of one. The people may have, but he did not, he seemed to be more concerned with setting up his kingdom and that of his son’s after him.
Yes!
Kelly I read it the same way. That Jeroboam made the 2 golden calves.
Not everyone on the other 10 tribes were willing to separate from the Lord. “Those from every tribe of Israel who had determined in their hearts to seek the Lord their God followed the Levites to Jerusalem to sacrifice to the Lord, the God of their ancestors.”
However, once the leadership turned from worshipping God, the people followed (“Rehoboam…abandoned the law of the Lord—he and all Israel with him”).
With as many wives and children Solomon had, how much influence did he have in Rehoboam’s life? I would imagine his mother had more influence-and she was an Ammonite.
Can anyone find where this came from? “Rehoboam ultimately rejected God and led the people to the same end, calling them to worship other gods, including two golden calves—the same symbol the people of Israel worshiped after they escaped from Egypt”? I know in the northern kingdom Jeroboam made two golden calves, but where did SRT get that Rehoboam did?
I think the confusion was from “He” But I read some commentaries and they all said it was Jeroboam.. So I’m not sure .