The Divided Kingdom

Review

• 1st & 2nd Kings: The Explanation of the Division• Key Dates: – 1050 BC, The Kingdom Begins– 931 BC, The Kingdom Divides– 722 BC, Assyrian Captivity– 606 BC, Babylonian Captivity– 586 BC, Destruction of the Temple

• Over-ridding Theme: Disobeying God leads to captivity, but restoration is available.

The Big Mistakes of Rehoboam & Jeroboam

• They Did Not Consult God – Rehoboam: In How To Lead. (1 Kings 12:4-15)– Jeroboam: In How To Worship. (1 Kings 12:28)

• Rehoboam: Failied Policy, Failed Diplomacy (16-19), Failed Military (21-24).

• “Leadership is a stewardship, and it is temporary.”

Life Lessons from Jeroboam• Hard work, without Godliness, only leads to

greater failure. (1 Kings 11:28)• Knowing the future holds an amazing reward,

is no substitute for a commitment to love and serve God. (11:37-38)

• No one is exempt from the influence of their surroundings, even if the influence only shows up in a later season of life. (11:40)

• Our internal dialogue can be our greatest enemy. (12:26)

The Reign of Jeroboam

• His Legacy: Jeroboam established corrupt and sinful worship that Israel never overcame.– God’s Disgust: 1 Kings 13:34– Israel’s Imitation: • Baasha (1 Kings 15:34) • Jehoram (2 Kings 3:2-3)• Zimri (1 Kings 16:19) • Jehu (2 Kings 10:31)• Omri (1 Kings 16:26) • Jehoahaz (2 Kings 13:2,6)• Ahab (1 Kings 16:31) • Jehoash (2 Kings 13:10-11)• Ahaziah (1 Kings 22:51)

The Reign of Jeroboam

• A religion of convenience, devised in one’s own heart, is an abomination to God and is condemned by history as was the substitute faith of Jeroboam. He was branded forever as, “Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel sin” (2 Kin. 23:15).

• “It was a man-made religion that pleased the people, protected the king, and unified the nation – except the faithful Levites…”

The Corruption of Worship Under King Jeroboam

• The Wrong Audience: Pleasing The People• The Wrong Objects: Two Golden Idols• The Wrong Appeal: Convienece vs. Devotion• The Wrong Place: At Best, 10 Miles Off• The Wrong Customs: High Places vs. Temple• The Wrong People: Unauthorized Priests• The Wrong Day: 8th Month Instead of 7th • The Wrong Standard: From His Heart• The Wrong Reaction: Refused To Repent

The Divided Kingdom