The Apple Can Fall Far From The Tree

II Chronicles 8-11

For all his wisdom, Solomon made some REALLY foolish choices. Namely, he stopped serving God and began worshiping idols. As much as God had blessed him, he chose to serve the gods of his wives. As a result, God told him that the kingdom would be divided during his son's reign. What I find interesting is that none of this is recorded in II Chronicles. As far as we read in this text, Solomon served God his whole life. This could have to do with Chronicles being the royal record. As such, Solomon was a respected king and nothing bad was said of him.

Chapter 8 tells us about Solomon expanding the wealth and territory of Israel. He built store cities to house the national wealth. He also build fenced cities for protection. Then we are told of his continued sacrifices to God. The chapter ends telling of even more gold coming into the kingdom. Israel must have been something to behold during Solomon's reign.

In chapter 9, Solomon has a visitor. The Queen of Sheba comes to visit him to see if the stories she has heard are true. She wants to know if Solomon is really as wise as she has been told. She picks his brain and gets a tour. In the end, she says that she was not told half of Solomon's wisdom, or of his wealth.

We read again of the continued wealth that entered the kingdom under Solomon. Israel was a wealthy place. This is how the reign of Solomon ends. The writer wanted us to know that Israel prospered under his leadership. Then he died and his son Rehoboam took the throne.

Chapter 10 begins the reign of Rehoboam. Rehoboam was no Solomon. Almost as soon as he takes the throne, one of his father's enemies returns to Israel and stirs up a mob. They got to Rehoboam and ask him to lighten the burden of service on the people. They tell him if he does, they will serve him.

Rehoboam makes a good decision to seek counsel from the elders. Then, he asked his peers. When time came for a decision, he went with the advice of his peers. Their advice was to exert his authority and strength. That was the wrong decision, and the people rebelled against him. 10 tribes seceded and became known as Israel. Since the largest tribe of the remaining two was Judah, the kingdom of the south became known as Judah. This was where Jerusalem was, and Rehoboam reigned there. The tribes to the north made Jeroboam king.

In chapter 11, Rehoboam sort of redeems himself. He serves God for the first part of his reign. During that time, God blessed him. He built cities and gathered wealth. He also took wives and had sons. Because Jeroboam worshiped idols, the priests and Levites left Israel and came to Judah. There job was to serve God and that was hard to do in a pagan land and away from the Temple.

Solomon began his reign by praying for wisdom and seeking God's favor. Rehoboam did not do that. Even though it is good to ask for advice, we should begin by asking God for advice. Sometimes we receive good advice but it is not God's advice. Rehoboam should have prayed and asked counsel from a prophet. Instead he asked the elders and his peers. When the time come, he liked what his peers had said better than the elders. This was because their suggestion stroked his ego.

Just because something sounds good, or makes us feel good, doesn't make it the best choice. There is a time to exert your authority. There is also a time to give people a reprieve from grievous burdens. If relief is not given, people will rebel. That is how we came about as a nation.

There is also the risk of this in churches. We want to work and be busy for the Lord, but sometimes we pile too much on a person or group. When this happens, people tend to leave. All of a sudden we are left holding the ball with no one to pass it to. As leaders, we need to listen to those we lead. We encourage diligence, but we do not drive them like cattle to the market.

When the railroad came to the west, it totally changed the beef market. Before the railroad, cattle were driven in herds the long miles from the ranches to the market. They would start fat and read for the butcher. However, by the time they made the long cross-country trek, the were lean and tough. They were not good for food. Then, when the railroad came, the cattle were driven a short distance to cattle cars and they road on the train to the market. Since they were not getting the extensive exercise program, they remained fat and tender. Beef prices increased and so did profits.

Just like the cows, when we drive people too hard, they can become tough and gristly. People will not like being around them. They will not be a warm inviting group to be around. There is work to do, but not at the expense of our people.

Had Rehoboam listened to the people, he would have reigned over 12 tribes instead of two. He did not listen and the people rebelled. This was bad for him, and for them. Israel never recovered from being out from under the reign of God's chosen kings. The kings led them to worship idols, and this led to their destruction. When it came to Rehoboam, he fell a long way from the tree of wisdom that was his father.