Slices
Prepare
Recently, I visited the southernmost point of New Zealand. Just along the coast, a large rock has Psalm 93:4 inscribed on a plaque. Underneath are the words: ‘God is always greater than all our troubles.’ Praise him!
Bible passage
Jeroboam rebels against Solomon
26 Also, Jeroboam son of Nebat rebelled against the king. He was one of Solomon’s officials, an Ephraimite from Zeredah, and his mother was a widow named Zeruah.
27 Here is the account of how he rebelled against the king: Solomon had built the terraces and had filled in the gap in the wall of the city of David his father. 28 Now Jeroboam was a man of standing, and when Solomon saw how well the young man did his work, he put him in charge of the whole labour force of the tribes of Joseph.
29 About that time Jeroboam was going out of Jerusalem, and Ahijah the prophet of Shiloh met him on the way, wearing a new cloak. The two of them were alone out in the country, 30 and Ahijah took hold of the new cloak he was wearing and tore it into twelve pieces. 31 Then he said to Jeroboam, ‘Take ten pieces for yourself, for this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: “See, I am going to tear the kingdom out of Solomon’s hand and give you ten tribes. 32 But for the sake of my servant David and the city of Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, he will have one tribe. 33 I will do this because they have forsaken me and worshipped Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, Chemosh the god of the Moabites, and Molek the god of the Ammonites, and have not walked in obedience to me, nor done what is right in my eyes, nor kept my decrees and laws as David, Solomon’s father, did.
34 ‘“But I will not take the whole kingdom out of Solomon’s hand; I have made him ruler all the days of his life for the sake of David my servant, whom I chose and who obeyed my commands and decrees. 35 I will take the kingdom from his son’s hands and give you ten tribes. 36 I will give one tribe to his son so that David my servant may always have a lamp before me in Jerusalem, the city where I chose to put my Name. 37 However, as for you, I will take you, and you will rule over all that your heart desires; you will be king over Israel. 38 If you do whatever I command you and walk in obedience to me and do what is right in my eyes by obeying my decrees and commands, as David my servant did, I will be with you. I will build you a dynasty as enduring as the one I built for David and will give Israel to you. 39 I will humble David’s descendants because of this, but not for ever.”’
40 Solomon tried to kill Jeroboam, but Jeroboam fled to Egypt, to Shishak the king, and stayed there until Solomon’s death.
Solomon’s death
41 As for the other events of Solomon’s reign – all he did and the wisdom he displayed – are they not written in the book of the annals of Solomon? 42 Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel for forty years. 43 Then he rested with his ancestors and was buried in the city of David his father. And Rehoboam his son succeeded him as king.
Explore
Enough is enough! Before Solomon dies, God intervenes with a graphic illustration for Jeroboam about Israel’s future (vs 31,32). Solomon’s disobedience means that things will change drastically. Even though the prophet Ahijah’s cloak is new, it’s torn into 12 pieces – no coincidence there. This fulfils God’s words to Solomon in chapter 11, verses 1–13. Also, it echoes the symbolism of Saul’s torn robe (1 Samuel 15:27,28).
As always, God shows his grace and mercy by appointing Solomon’s son, Rehoboam, to be king of two tribes of Israel in the south – Judah and Benjamin, to be known as Judah. Jeroboam, originally one of Solomon’s officials and described at this point as a ‘man of standing’ (v 28), becomes king of Israel in the north and rules over the other ten tribes.
How could a divided kingdom be part of God’s plan for his people? What has happened to the outworking of his covenant with Abraham for one nation (Genesis 12:2,3)? God’s promises are not unconditional. What does he expect of Israel? Because this is not happening, the kingdom divides (Jeremiah 18:5–10).
Respond
When national, global or personal circumstances seem to be going pear-shaped, how do we respond? Read Psalm 46:1,10,11 and be thankful. Ask God to help you trust him, whatever is happening.
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: 2 Kings 13,14; 2 Corinthians 6
Pray for Scripture Union
Pray for National Mission Partner Festive as they support Christians in further education and sixth forms. Give thanks for summer rest and mission opportunities and pray for God to open new doors for successful recruitment of new students into the network.
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