Children Bible Overview 64 13/07/08

THE ARROGANT KING REHOBOAM WAS FORSAKEN BY THE ISRAELITES

Teachers to read bible scripture: <1 Ki 12:1-24>

Children to memorize bible scripture: <1 Pe 5:5>

Recap
Last week, we saw how after King Solomon departed from the path of his father, David, and did not
focus on following the Lord, God and went to follow other gods. As such, God raised up a particularly
powerful servant, Jeroboam who opposed King Solomon. Therefore, King Solomon wanted to kill him
but he escaped to Egypt and stayed there until Solomon died.
Introduction
After King Solomon died, his son Rehoboam succeeded his throne. The whole assembly of Israel
went to him and said, “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.” King Rehoboam consulted the elders who served
his father Solomon. They replied King Rehoboam, “If the King really loves God’s people and serves
them whole-heartedly, give them a favorable answer and they will always be your servants.” However,
King Rehoboam was arrogant and did not listen to the advice of the elders, but listened to a group of
young men who grew up with him. He hence answered the people harshly, “My father made your
yoke heavy; I will make it even heavier. You all should listen to me because I am your King!” When
the Israelites heard that, they did not submit to King Rehoboam but they saw him being very arrogant
and did not even had a heart that loved the people. Thereafter, King Rehoboam’s father, Solomon’s
enemy, Jeroboam came back from Egypt. The Israelites hence requested him to be their King.
Therefore, the 12 tribes of Israel, only the whole tribe of Judah and Benjamin submit to Rehoboam;
while the remaining 10 submitted to Jeroboam. The proud King Rehoboam was hence forsaken by
the 10 tribes of Israel.
1. Why is it that King Rehoboam became arrogant?
1) This is because he thought that it was natural that he became Israel’s King or that he
relied on his competence to become Israel’s King. He did not know that it was the
Lord, God who chose him to become Israel’s King, and gave him the responsibility to
guide and protect Israel.
2) Therefore, King Rehoboam was different from King David. He loved himself and his kingly
status more than he loved the Israelites. Hence, he used his authority as King to oppress his
people and wanted them to submit to him.
3) Actually, when God gave King Rehoboam more authority/ high position, it was for him to
use his authority/ position to protect and guide His people. In that way, the Lord’s people
could then willingly submit to him. However, because of King Rehoboam’s arrogant heart, the
people did not submit to him. We should be the same, if we are the most intelligent, the eldest,
the strongest, or hold the highest position (e.g. Sunday school monitor), we must use what
God has given us to look after and protect each and every of the children and not bully them.
2. Rehoboam became arrogant and only wanted to listen to words he wanted to listen
and was not willing to listen to God’s words or the elder’s instructions
1) When we are arrogant, the devil will immediately deceive us. This is because at that
time, we do not want to listen to words we do not want to hear. We only want to
listen to words that are beneficial to us or are nice to hear. If the words are not of
direct benefit (even very profound words), we are not willing to listen nor ponder over
them. In this way, the devil will start to deceive us step by step.
2) Rehoboam did not listen to the words of the elders and therefore he suffered a loss.
Regardless of how high a position we are in, there is God’s purpose in it. It is through the
words He gives us that He gives us His directions/ prompts. However, if we do not humbly
listen and ponder, we have already fallen into the devil’s trap.
 3) Therefore, arrogant people who only like to hear words they like to hear, will act
according to their own will. Eventually, they would be proven wrong and they will lose
everything. Similarly, when we make decisions, speak and do things according to our
own intentions and will, we may eventually lose money, friends, people’s love and
many other blessings that God has for us.
3. Eventually, the 10 tribes of Israel forsook him
1) God’s principle is: If a person who does not listen to and follow God’s words, others
will also not listen to and follow him! Rehoboam did not listen and follow God’s words, did
not have a heart that loved God and God’s people, acted willfully and therefore, 10 tribes of
Israel did not submit to him nor listen to him.
2) Sometimes, God speaks to us through the words of elders (Although there are times
when the elders are not definitely correct, God wants to see if we know how to
submit to authority). Those who do not know how to submit to authority will find that
in future, when they lead people, the people do not submit to them. Therefore,
children, if you want to be a leader, we must first know how to listen and follow or
parents’, teachers and elders’ words.
3) Although God asked the 10 tribes of Israel to forsake Rehoboam, He left him with 2
tribes. Although Rehoboam did wrong, God still had love and grace and did not completely
forsake him so that he could learn from that. From then, he would know how to love God and
His people. Today, God also treats us similarly. Although there are times when we are
arrogant or do wrong, and as a result get punished or are put in a disadvantage, God does
not want us to blame ourselves. Instead He wants us to learnt from this and become a person
who loves God and people in future. God will still use us.