Daily Scripture: Day 97—1 Kings 12

From Handbook to Scripture, Day 97

READING: 1 KINGS 12

This chapter marks the transition in 931 BC from the united kingdom under Saul, David, and Solomon, to the divided kingdom of Israel in the north (ten tribes) and Judah in the south (two tribes). After the death of Solomon, his son Rehoboam foolishly rejected the prudent counsel of Jeroboam and the leaders of Israel to lighten the yoke his father had imposed upon them. The court officials affirmed the reasonableness of this request. Instead, Rehoboam listened to the shallow counsel of his peers who appealed to his pride. Rehoboam’s harsh speech resulted in the revolt of the ten northern tribes who made Jeroboam king over Israel. Sadly, Jeroboam set up an idolatrous rival religion in Israel, fearing that he would lose power if his people continued to worship at the temple in Jerusalem.

Prayer: Lord, the devastating consequences of foolish pride are evident in the lives of Rehoboam and Jeroboam. I ask that out of Your goodness You would make known to me, and take from my heart, every kind and form and degree of pride.

Meditation passage: verse 7