Meet the Kings | Truth in Bloom Series
Scripture Focus:
1 Kings 11:43–14:31 | 2 Chronicles 10–12
Reign: 931–913 BC (17 years, King of Judah)
Who Was Rehoboam?
Rehoboam was the son of Solomon and the grandson of David — a child of promise, positioned in a royal lineage that had known divine favor, glory, and power. And yet, Rehoboam’s story begins not with triumph but with division.
After Solomon’s death, the elders of Israel came to Rehoboam at Shechem to affirm him as king. Their request was simple and reasonable:
“Your father put a heavy yoke on us, but now lighten the harsh labor and the heavy yoke he put on us, and we will serve you.” (1 Kings 12:4)
Rehoboam sought counsel — first from the older advisors who had served his father, then from the young men he had grown up with. The elders urged wisdom and compassion. His peers urged dominance and control.
He chose pride over mercy. Scorpions over softness.
That one decision split the kingdom in two. Ten tribes broke away to form the northern kingdom under Jeroboam. Only Judah (and later, Benjamin) remained with Rehoboam in the south. What had once been a united monarchy under David and Solomon was now fractured — and the division would remain for centuries.
Key Themes to Reflect On
1. Pride’s Power to Divide
“My father scourged you with whips; I will scourge you with scorpions.” (1 Kings 12:14)
Rehoboam’s response wasn’t just harsh — it was foolish. He chose to defend his authority rather than win the people’s loyalty.
- Reflection: Am I using my position to serve or to control? Where might pride be keeping me from listening?
2. The Weight of Influence
Rehoboam rejected the wisdom of seasoned leaders and followed the arrogance of his peers. His influencers shaped the future of a nation.
- Reflection: Who am I letting speak into my decisions? Are they wise, godly voices — or ones that echo my ego?
3. Partial Obedience Still Misses the Mark
Later in life, Rehoboam humbled himself before God (2 Chron. 12:6), but Scripture tells us he “did evil because he had not set his heart on seeking the Lord” (2 Chron. 12:14). He offered repentance… but never full devotion.
- Reflection: Is my heart fully set on seeking the Lord, or only turning to Him when trouble comes?
Scriptures Worth Sitting With
- 1 Kings 12:6–15 – The decision that divided a kingdom
- 2 Chronicles 11:13–17 – The Levites and faithful Israelites flee north to worship
- 2 Chronicles 12:5–8 – God’s word to Rehoboam through the prophet Shemaiah
- 2 Chronicles 12:14 – A sobering legacy: “He did not set his heart on seeking the Lord.”
What We Often Miss
- Rehoboam inherited the throne, but not the wisdom. He never asked God for discernment like his father did.
- He was the first king of Judah in a divided land. His story sets the stage for nearly every king that follows.
- God still showed mercy. Even after Rehoboam’s failure, God relented from full judgment when he humbled himself.
Application & Reflection
- Do I tend to act first and seek God later? Or have I set my heart on seeking Him always?
- Have I been listening to voices that affirm what I want instead of challenge what I need to hear?
- Is there an area where pride has caused division — and God is inviting me to humble myself?
Up Next:
Jeroboam I – Counterfeit Altars, Real Consequences
While Rehoboam retained Judah, Jeroboam built a new kingdom in Israel — one founded not on obedience, but on fear and imitation.
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