The Anatomy of a Grave Decision

I Kings 12:3-8,16-18,22-24

Introduction: Solomon had 1000 wives and concubines, yet we read of only one son to bear his name, and he was a fool. Rehoboam did not inherit his father’s wisdom. Wisdom and grace does not run in blood lines. Rehoboam came to be king at the age of 40---if a person is to be wise it will happen by that time or not at all. Solomon’s’ court was a market of educated, talented people, yet none of it seemed to have influenced Rehoboam at all.

Take Time and Seek Advice I kings 12:3-8 “3 That they sent and called him. And Jeroboam and all the congregation of Israel came, and spake unto Rehoboam, saying,  4 Thy father made our yoke grievous: now therefore make thou the grievous service of thy father, and his heavy yoke which he put upon us, lighter, and we will serve thee.   5 And he said unto them, depart yet for three days, then come again to me. And the people departed.   6 And king Rehoboam consulted with the old men, that stood before Solomon his father while he yet lived, and said, How do ye advise that I may answer this people?   7 And they spake unto him, saying, If thou wilt be a servant unto this people this day, and wilt serve them, and answer them, and speak good words to them, then they will be thy servants for ever.   8 But he forsook the counsel of the old men, which they had given him, and consulted with the young men that were grown up with him, and which stood before him: “

1. Solomon had been harsh, the representative complained of Solomon’s harsh treatment of them

   1. They did not complain of Solomon’s’ idolatry which was the greatest sin. NOTE: They were careless and indifferent to God’s ways

   2. They were only interested in saving themselves money

2. Solomon’s reign had not been harsh. Silver was as plentiful as stones and the buildings and government were obtained not by war, but by paid Israelites working industriously in a time of great peace. The complainants simply wanted more money and put a price on their allegiance. NOTE: So, it is when people are more concerned for gain than for God and His blessings.

3. Rehoboam sent them away for three days and he consulted his father’s advisors.

4. They advise he serve the people, tell them kind words and he can draw them to him

   1. NOTE: Kind words can turn anger and buy time for cool heads to think

   2. NOTE: The way to rule is to serve, to do well and to stop to do it, to become all things to all men and so win their hearts.

5. The young advisers gave him the opposite advice---to be harsh and threatening in his answer to the petitioners.

6. He was infatuated with those that were like him, 

7. He went against his own father, showing how foolish he was

   1. God warns against going against parents

   2. Children that honor their parents are blessed

Consider the Effects I Kings 12: 16-18 “16 So when all Israel saw that the king hearkened not unto them, the people answered the king, saying, What portion have we in David? neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse: to your tents, O Israel: now see to thine own house, David. So, Israel departed unto their tents.   17 But as for the children of Israel which dwelt in the cities of Judah, Rehoboam reigned over them.   18 Then king Rehoboam sent Adoram, who was over the tribute; and all Israel stoned him with stones, that he died. Therefore, king Rehoboam made speed to get him up to his chariot, to flee to Jerusalem.”

1. We have here the splitting or rending of the kingdom of the ten tribes

2. They resent Jeroboams harsh words to them and it incites them to revolt

   1. They speak badly of David, the great benefactor of Israel, by calling him the son of Jesse, the make a neighbor out of him

   2. They were rash, if given time they may have backed down

3. NOTE: They were willing to be ruled for protection, but nor for destruction and ruin

4. Jeroboam sends Adoram to talk to them, another mistake. They hated Adoram as he was the person in charge of work and collecting tributes. They stoned him to death

5. By making foolish decision, not thinking through, Jeroboam makes mistake after mistake

6. Jeroboam has to flee

Above all, listen to God I Kings 12:22-24 “22 But the word of God came unto Shemaiah the man of God, saying,   23 Speak unto Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, king of Judah, and unto all the house of Judah and Benjamin, and to the remnant of the people, saying,   24 Thus saith the LORD, Ye shall not go up, nor fight against your brethren the children of Israel: return every man to his house; for this thing is from me. They hearkened therefore to the word of the LORD, and returned to depart, according to the word of the LORD.”

1. Rehoboam was going to retake the tribes, put down the rebellion with use of force

2. God forbade Rehoboam from retaking what he had lost by force

3. Sent the lowly prophet Shemaiah to give Gods’ message to the king

4. AS a result, there was no bloodshed.

   1. Shemaiah is like us, we must take God’s message to people and in a timely manner

   2. By obeying God, Shemiah saved thousands of lives

5. God would allow them to rebel another time, but not now

Conclusion: Bad decisions can cause grave consequences which is why we must always consider what God would have us do, rather than what we ourselves would want to do.