Rehoboam’s evil reign in Judah

I Kings 14:21–31
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Jeroboam’s reign in the northern kingdom of Israel actually covered the same period of time as the reigns of Rehoboam, Abijam and the beginning of Asa’s rule in the southern kingdom of Judah.  each ruler of Judah is introduced by reference to his age at accession, the number of years he reigned, and any family information.

This scripture covers the reign of Rehoboam who inherited a mighty kingdom from his father David. On the surface one would believe that Rehoboam would be a good and Godly leader for the nation of Israel. He was the grandson of King David and son of Solomon the two greatest kings to ever sit on the throne in Jerusalem. Having begun his reign at the age of forty-one, Rehoboam ruled for seventeen years.  He turned from the Lord after he had become established on the throne (2 Chr. v. 2:l). Wealth, idol worship, and immorality, had become more important than God.

Two important events occurred in Rehoboam’s reign. The first was the developing apostasy and immorality of his people (vv. 22-24). They actually returned to the practices of the Canaanites before them. The second event was the invasion by Shilshak, king of Egypt (vv. 25-28). This invasion was very costly to Judah. Rehoboam bought Shilshak off by giving him the vast treasury of gold that had been accumulated by Solomon. Part of this was the 200 shields of beaten gold that were replaced with shields of cheaper bronze. Shilshak’s army was not able to destroy Judah but weakened it so much that it was never the same again. The death of Rehoboam is recorded and his successor named.

Application

Rehoboam’s public life was vastly different that his private life and the problems that this can cause. It is very easy to become so wrapped up in the gold and silver of this world, like Rehoboam did, that I stop spending time with the Lord and make things more important that God.