God had appeared to Solomon twice to warn him of consequences for disobedience. But Solomon continued to believe that fat meat ain’t greasy.
Meanwhile, Jeroboam, a capable young man, was head of Solomon’s Department of Labor. While on a business trip, a prophet told Jeroboam that God is splitting the kingdom in two. God chose you to rule 10 tribes while the House of David would rule two…until they get some sense.
After Solomon died, except in regards to women, his son Rehoboam was no better. Arrogant and ignorant is not a good mix. The northern tribes gladly pledged their allegiance to Jeroboam.
As soon as he was sworn in Jeroboam rebuilt cities that had great historical significance going all the way back to Abraham. This got Jeroboam to thinking.
His people would go there and start reminiscing, you know this was mama n’ daddy’s church. Remember Deacon Sims pray-a-thons and Mother George’s pound cake? This would go on until everyone would change their loyalty back to Jerusalem and he wouldn’t have a kingdom at all.
Now that Jeroboam had a taste of power and riches, there would be no turning back, for this son of a poor widow woman.
As the former head of labor, Jeroboam knew human nature; how lazy some people could be if just asked to move an inch. So he changed God’s bylaws for his kingdom.
He told his citizens, you don’t have to go to Jerusalem for the conventions and festivals. Think of the traffic, the price of gas. To make it more convenient, I’m going to build two luxurious mega churches for you. Attend either one that’s closest to you.
Jeroboam handed out 501C3’s to whosoever will instead of God’s chosen to be priests. He changed the dates of their conventions and festivals from what God had said.
Since he is not the author of confusion, God finally had enough. Jeroboam’s life began to go left. His son became sick.
The same prophet who told Jeroboam he would be king, prophesied a disastrous whirlwind for him and his family. His son would die with honor. But eventually all the men of his family would be taken out.
Well, Jeroboam died and his son Nadab succeeded him as king. He lasted two years. Baasha, one of his officers killed him. Once Baasha took the throne, he killed every last person in Jeroboam’s family. God is not a man that he should lie.
When God split the kingdom, Jeroboam was literally handed the keys to the Northern Kingdom. God had promised him enduring greatness. But Jeroboam had to go ahead and ruin his entire family by believing more in what he thought than what God said.
References – 1 Kings 11-14, 15:25-32
