1 Kings 12 Commentary

1 Kings 12 Commentary

Rehoboam’s foolish response sharply contrasts with his father’s famed wisdom. When the LORD gives wisdom, a nation flourishes. But when the LORD withdraws wisdom, the nation degenerates.

The LORD God orchestrated Rehoboam’s impossible foolishness for a stated purpose – to humble David.

We see the hand of the LORD behind events that appear random and ordinary. Rehoboam’s foolishness is one good example.

But we also see a direct intervention when the LORD sends His prophet to deter Rehoboam from waging war against Israel.

The LORD commissions Jeroboam to lead Israel, but Jeroboam’s wickedness is entirely his own making. It posts a warning that the LORD may commission a man, but the rest of the trip may be defined by human decisions.

Jeroboam failed, and it wasn’t down to a lack of options. The seven thousand godly men during Elijah’s time, in this place and not too long after this, men without any connection with the Temple at Jerusalem, inform us that godliness was possible without the rituals at the Temple.

Jeroboam’s idols at Bethel and Dan reveal a heart bent on wickedness, a heart that thrived on ignorance of the character of the God of Abraham.

Political expedience, diplomatic etiquette, administrative conveniences … these are fertile grounds for wickedness. Here disobedience calls sweetly. Rewards are immediate. But the wages of sin is death!

Jeroboam’s fears would make sense in any boardroom. His decision would not be foolish even by today’s standards. But wickedness is an old foe. Temptation isn’t stupid. It appeals to logic.

Rehoboam thought of displaying strength, but it was all foolishness. Jeroboam thought of national security, but it was all wickedness.

We could stop and ponder the events before us. What has happened to David’s son? What has happened to God’s house? Are the good times over even before they begin?

These events provoke thoughts around the character of God’s solution. Probably Solomon isn’t the Son, though he was actually David’s son. And Solomon’s wisdom isn’t the Wisdom of God, though it came from the LORD.

God’s house, wisdom, and the son. We can clearly see that these are empty tins during the closing years of Solomon’s reign. The scriptures leave us longing for the substance of God’s blessing.

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