Rehoboam A Failure In Leadership 1 Kings 12

Rehoboam (A Failure In Leadership) 1 Kings 12: 1 -5

1 Kings 12: 1 -5 And Rehoboam went to Shechem, for all Israel had gone to Shechem to make him king. 2 So it happened, when Jeroboam the son of Nebat heard it (he was still in Egypt, for he had fled from the presence of King Solomon and had been dwelling in Egypt), 3 that they sent and called him. Then Jeroboam and the whole assembly of Israel came and spoke to Rehoboam, saying, 4 “Your father made our yoke heavy; now therefore, lighten the burdensome service of your father, and his heavy yoke which he put on us, and we will serve you. ” 5 So he said to them, “Depart for three days, then come back to me. ” And the people departed.

After the Death of Solomon • Ended 120 years of unity for Israel • The taxation under Solomon was severe, Jereboam and the people wanted Rehoboam to lighten the burden • Rehoboam had an opportunity to “rise to the moment” • Instead, he made decisions that would cause rebellion and division in Israel • 10 tribes rebelled (only Judah & Benjamin remained faithful to Rehoboam) • Rehoboam was at fault! Why? . . .

A Failure in Leadership • Refused to serve (6 -7) (Philippians 2: 1 -8 (R); Matthew 20: 25 -28)

1 Kings 12: 6 -7 Then King Rehoboam consulted the elders who stood before his father Solomon while he still lived, and he said, “How do you advise me to answer these people? ” 7 And they spoke to him, saying, “If you will be a servant to these people today, and serve them, and answer them, and speak good words to them, then they will be your servants forever. ”

Matthew 20: 25 -28 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. 26 But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; 27 And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: 28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

A Failure in Leadership • Refused to serve (6 -7) (Philippians 2: 1 -8 (R); Matthew 20: 25 -28) • Forsook the counsel of the elderly (8, 13) (Leviticus 19: 32; Proverbs 16: 31)

1 Kings 12: 8, 13 (8), But he rejected the advice which the elders had given him, and consulted the young men who had grown up with him, who stood before him. (13), Then the king answered the people roughly, and rejected the advice which the elders had given him.

Leviticus 19: 32 You shall rise before the gray headed and honor the presence of an old man, and fear your God: I am the LORD.

Proverbs 16: 31 The silver-haired head is a of glory, If it is found in of righteousness. crown the way

A Failure in Leadership • Refused to serve (6 -7) (Philippians 2: 1 -8 (R); Matthew 20: 25 -28) • Forsook the counsel of the elderly (8, 13) (Leviticus 19: 32; Proverbs 16: 31) • Forsook the law of the Lord (2 Chronicles 12: 1; Why? 12: 14)

2 Chronicles 12: 1 Now it came to pass, when Rehoboam had established the kingdom and had strengthened himself, that he forsook the law of the LORD, and all Israel along with him. He forsook the law of the Lord. Does the text reveal why? Yes, in verse 14. . .

2 Chronicles 12: 14 And he did evil, because he did not prepare his heart to seek the LORD.

A Failure in Leadership • Refused to serve (6 -7) (Philippians 2: 1 -8 (R); Matthew 20: 25 -28) • Forsook the counsel of the elderly (8, 13) (Leviticus 19: 32; Proverbs 16: 31) • Forsook the law of the Lord (2 Chronicles 12: 1; Why? 12: 14) • Substituted Something Similar, but Inferior (1 Ki. 14: 25 -26, 27)

1 Kings 14: 25 -26 It happened in the fifth year of King Rehoboam that Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem. 26 And he took away the treasures of the house of the LORD and the treasures of the king's house; he took away everything. He also took away all the gold shields which Solomon had made. Rehoboam did not go get the gold shields (symbols of prosperity, used in royal parades (cf. 10: 14 -21) back! Instead, what did he do? . . .

1 Kings 14: 27 Then King Rehoboam made bronze shields in their place, and committed them to the hands of the captains of the guard, who guarded the doorway of the king's house. He substituted an inferior shield of bronze, which He and Israel accepted. Moral: Are we giving to God less than our best? Substituting what is inferior?

Conclusion • May we all serve with the attitude of Jesus Christ. • May we all heed the wise advice of the aged. • May we all prepare our hearts to seek the Lord. • May we all give our best to God.