Both Rehoboam and Jeroboam had the opportunity to right some wrongs.
Yet, for both these kings, they wasted their chances by continuing in the sins of Solomon.
Rehoboam
As the son of Solomon, Rehoboam would have seen how the kingdom grew and flourished when his father walked according to God’s commandments. And how the kingdom faced adversaries when his father disobeyed God by marrying Gentile wives and worshipping idols (1 Kings 11:4-11, 14-25).
When he was crowned king, he had the chance to turn away from his father’s sinful ways. Even the elders exhorted him to lighten the yoke which Solomon placed on the people (1 Kings 12:4, 6-7), yet Rehoboam chose to reject their advice and treat the people more harshly (1 Kings 12:13-14).
Furthermore, after Rehoboam strengthened his kingdom, he forsook the law of the LORD and in turn led all of Judah to turn away from the law as well (2 Chron 12:1). Consequently, the nation did more evil than all that their father had done. Idolatry was rampant, and perverse acts were committed throughout the land (1 Kings 14:22-24).
Hence, God allowed Shishak, the king of Egypt, to come against Judah as punishment (1 Kings 14:25-26, 2 Chron 12:5-9). Shishak took away all the treasures of the house of the LORD and of the king’s house, including all the gold shields Solomon made (1 Kings 14:26).
Since Rehoboam did not take the chance to turn away from the sins of his father, the state of the kingdom degenerated from ‘gold’ to ‘bronze’.
Jeroboam
At the same time, we have Jeroboam.
Jeroboam was called by God to tear away ten tribes of the kingdom because of Solomon’s sin (1 Kings 11:30-33). As a servant of Solomon, Jeroboam would have seen how idolatry led to the downfall of Solomon’s kingdom.
When he was crowned king of Israel, he had the chance to lead the people back to God just as David did.
Yet, from the get go, Jeroboam compromised on God’s commandments just as Solomon did.
For the sake of political stability of his new kingdom, Jeroboam decided to build the golden calves (1 Kings 12:25-27). In the eyes of Jeroboam these golden calves would sustain his political hold over the people. However, in reality, Jeroboam’s compromise on idolatry resulted in generational repercussions eventually leading to the kingdom of Israel’s destruction by Assyria (1 Kings 14:9-15).
Jeroboam fell in the same manner as Solomon. In the name of political stability and human shrewdness, both made compromises with regards to keeping God’s law– whether it was building the golden calves or marrying Pharaoh’s daughter.
Beyond this one compromise, Jeroboam did more evil than all who were before him (1 Kings 14:9). And so in God’s anger, God took away the life of Abijah, Jeroboam’s son, and promised disaster on Jeroboam’s household.
Conclusion
Both Rehoboam and Jeroboam had the opportunity to turn away from the sins of Solomon.
To start anew and rule like David rather than Solomon.
However, we see that both kings squandered their chances.
Today, God gives us chances in life to turn away from our sinful environments and our sinful ways (1 Cor 10:13). Have we grabbed hold of the chance to flee from temptation and sin?Do we actively turn away from our sins? Or perhaps do we rely on our own knowledge and end up compromising on God’s commandments?
Reflection questions
Do I grab hold of the opportunity to flee from temptations and sin?
Have I compromised in keeping God’s commandments?
