Today’s passage: 2 Chronicles 10:1-18
Helpful thoughts:
- The rest of 2 Chronicles will cover the Judean kings starting with the secession of the rest of Israel after Rehoboam, son of Solomon, becomes king.
- The people were asking for relief, Rehoboam decided to threaten greater struggle instead.
- The prophecy to Jeroboam (Verse 15) is recorded in 1 Kings 11:26-40 . Ironically, Jeroboam had formerly been one of the managers of forced labor under King Solomon.
- For the most part, all the tribes except for much of Benjamin and Judah left and retained the name, “Israel.” Those from the tribe of Benjamin and Judah became “Judah.” There were people from different tribes who did not follow suit with the rest of their tribes though.
Questions to consider:
- Rehoboam sent the man in charge of forced labor to the Israelites to show that his words were no empty threat. What did the people of Israel do to him (Verse 18)?
- What reason did Israel give for their revolt (Verse 16)? What reason did God give for the revolt (1 Kings 11:33)?
- If you were told that God was taking the kingdom away from Rehoboam because of idolatry, what might you try to make sure doesn’t happen in the nation afterward? What did Jeroboam do (1 Kings 12:25-28)? Is good logic enough to bring a person to salvation and humble obedience? What must occur for a person to become one who fears the Lord (John 3:3-8)?