(10:2) Rehoboam is crowned in Shechem - The crowning of an Israelite king would normally have taken place in Jerusalem, the capital city. Rehoboam saw that there was the possibility of trouble in the north, so to maintain his hold on the country, he chose Shechem, a city about 35 miles north of Jerusalem. Shechem was an ancient site for making covenants (Joshua 24:1).

(10:3) Ahijah predicts Israel would be split in two - Why was Jeroboam in Egypt? Ahijah the prophet had predicted that Israel would split in two and that Jeroboam would become king of the northern section. When Solomon learned of this prophecy, he tried to kill Jeroboam, and Jeroboam was forced to flee to Egypt (1 Kings 11:26-40).

(10:14) An Unbalanced Picture - Rehoboam must have gotten an unbalanced picture of leadership from his father, Solomon. Apparently Rehoboam saw only the difficulty of leading the nation, not the opportunities. He mentioned only the harsher aspects of Solomon's rule, and he himself decided to be very harsh toward the people. As you discuss your responsibilities at work, at church, or as a parent, be sure that you temper any words of difficulty with words of joy. Otherwise you may sour the attitudes of those you influence toward the work you do and the people you serve.

(10:16) The Wrong Motives - In trying to have it all, Rehoboam lost almost everything. Motivated by greed and power, he pressed too hard and divided his kingdom. He didn't need more money or power because he had inherited the richest kingdom in the world. He didn't need more control because he was the king. His demands were based on selfishness rather than reason or spiritual discernment. Those who insist on having it all often wind up with little or nothing.

(10:19) Israel and Judah - This is the beginning of the history of the divided kingdom. The peaceful united kingdom under Solomon divided into two parts. Ten of the tribes followed Jeroboam and became the nation of Israel, the northern kingdom. The other two tribes, Judah and Benjamin, remained loyal to David's line and accepted Rehoboam's rule. They became Judah, the southern kingdom.

 

Each day we walk through the Bible chapter by chapter making an application of our text to help us grow in the Lord. Many applications can be made from each day's text. Today we Continue in the book of 2 Chronicles with Chapter 10 and we see the nation of Israel split apart as Rehoboam speaks roughly to the people and the northern tribes revolt. What catches my eye is the Greed of Rehoboam. He inherited the richest, most powerful kingdom in the world but still pressed the people to a point of division. In his quest for more he lost it all. In making application we see the principle of Greed play out in our lives. In the U.S. the poorest person is rich in many countries having food, water, shelter, and healthcare. The middle class and the rich have more than enough to sustain themselves but for the "toys" of this world they sacrifice their families and relationships for the sake of Greed. In wanting it all many loose it all. Many divorces and family breakups have the root of Greed at the base of this tragedy. Like Rehoboam we really have it all, so lets not let Greed have a place in our lives which will ultimately destroy what is really important in our lives. How about you? Do you see the enticement of Greed in you life? Let us learn from our text today and the life of Rehoboam to remember that Greed separates us from what is really important in our lives