Audio Access Available Above
"Enemies
And The Road To A Divided Kingdom"
• 2.12.17 •
Calvary Christian Fellowship, Sunday Morning Service
Intro.
- King Solomon, the son of King David, has
abandoned his faith in the God of Israel, completing this turn by turning to
idolatry.
- This had been his course, which neither
history, age, wisdom or experience kept him from. Because his heart was not
fully God's, his life descended into apostasy.
- In that time, aside from appearing to him
personally, how did God respond? What measures did He take to dissuade Solomon
from his chosen course?
- The section before us answers that question,
while also providing a bridge to the period known as "The Divided
Kingdom." Let's pick it up in verse 14.
Text
•
I Kings 11:14 : "Now the Lord raised up an adversary against
Solomon, Hadad the Edomite; he was a descendant of the king in Edom." : God stirred or roused an enemy, a "satan" to come
against Solomon, the first of three that we will learn of.
-
You may think this harsh. If so, you are truly not thinking about the covenant
that God made with the Jewish nation.
-
He promised them blessing for their obedience and cursing at their
disobedience. It was that simple. They agreed for the sake of God's blessing
but their willful disobedience brought displeasure.
-
Additionally, understand that the defeat or difficulty that God allowed His
people to suffer, came with the design that they might repent and turn back to
Him.
-
God allowed their suffering to remind them of how good it was to be obedient to
Him!
-
His discipline then is a measure of love and grace, neither of which they
deserved, which is the actual definition of God's grace: "God's favor to
the infinitely-ill deserving." Pastor Larry Taylor
-
These adversaries represent God's unwillingness to let go! He continues to
fight for Solomon's heart in an attempt to turn him from his way!
-
For those of who are Christians, who know people who are living in disobedience
and are far from the faith that they once espoused, this is a source of
comfort.
-
Thank God that He doesn't just give up at the first sign of a believer's
disobedience! God will chase down and arrange circumstances to bring his
wayward children home.
-
On the other hand, I know that there are some who would wish immediately for
God to give up and let them go. Most of us desire this in order to partake of
that which God forbids.
-
Generally, a person in such a condition, seeks to worship God until they
discover that God is not a "genie-in-a bottle." He loves us to much
to let us settle for our small and self-centered plans.
-
This particular adversary was a prince of the Edomite nation whose name means
"mighty."
-
He is tailor made, perfect, to oppose King Solomon. Let's get into his
backstory. Verse 15.
•
I Kings 11:15-20 : "For it happened, when David was in
Edom, and Joab the commander of the army had gone up to bury the slain, after he
had killed every male in Edom (because for six months Joab remained there with all Israel,
until he had cut down every male in Edom), that Hadad fled to go to Egypt, he
and certain Edomites of his father’s servants with him. Hadad was still a
little child. Then
they arose from Midian and came to Paran; and they took men with them from
Paran and came to Egypt, to Pharaoh king of Egypt, who gave him a house,
apportioned food for him, and gave him land. And Hadad found great favor in the
sight of Pharaoh, so that he gave him as wife the sister of his own wife, that
is, the sister of Queen Tahpenes. Then the sister of Tahpenes bore him Genubath his son, whom
Tahpenes weaned in Pharaoh’s house. And Genubath was in Pharaoh’s household
among the sons of Pharaoh." : The
Bible records David's entry into Edom in II
Samuel 8:14. Chronologically speaking, at least 40 or 50 years have passed.
-
David reigned for 33 years in Jerusalem before Solomon's 40 year reign, 25 of
which have already been recorded. Suffice it to say, a significant amount of
time has elapsed.
-
David's victory in Edom was virtually complete. Edom as a national threat to
Israel had been set back significantly, Joab having made sure that this was the
case.
-
While Joab conducted his campaign to root out the surviving enemy, Hadad and
several of the King's servants were able to escape from Edom into Egypt.
-
Throughout scripture, Egypt seems to be a place which offered asylum to
refugees, including those from Israel. When Prince Hadad came into Egypt, he
was just a small child.
-
The Hebrew seems to indicate that he was the youngest of the children and as
such, being no threat to Phraraoh, became a favorite of the Egyptian leader.
-
Verse 18 describes their flight and
entry into Egypt, where the Pharaoh gave him a place to stay, set royal food
aside for him and gave him land. It was incredibly generous but he went
further.
-
The Pharaoh brought Hadad into his own family when he made a match for his
sister-in-law. Their relationship grew, as Hadad's child grew in the home of
Uncle Pharaoh. Verse 21.
•
I Kings 11:21,22 : "So when Hadad heard in Egypt that
David rested with his fathers, and that Joab the commander of the army was
dead, Hadad said to Pharaoh, 'Let me depart, that I may go to my own country.' Then Pharaoh said to him, 'But what
have you lacked with me, that suddenly you seek to go to your own country?'
So he answered, 'Nothing, but do let me go anyway.'" : Hadad had never given up on returning to his own country where
he had the right to rule.
-
When David died and Joab was executed, Hadad saw his opportunity and put in his
request to leave. This is not a casual request for a vacation.
-
This is a proclamation of intention to rule a neighboring country, complete
with sovereign borders and military might.
-
The statement made by Pharaoh is far more than just a simple plea. This is a
nuanced remark which, I believe, accomplishes two important items.
-
First, it's enough of a protest to keep Solomon, his treaty partner, happy. The
Pharaoh is not the one encouraging Hadad to go back. It would have to be
Hadad's determination.
-
Second, it's a reminder to Hadad that all he "had had" was a gift
from Pharaoh. His very life was a product of Pharaoh's investment, to the point
that he lacked nothing.
-
This is Pharaoh's way of securing a treaty with Edom without having to
formalize it, which might have been the source of his interest all along!
-
Would it really surprise anyone to know that Egypt, a type of the world, spoke
out of both sides of it's mouth to it's own advantage?
-
When Hadad answered "nothing, but let me go anyway," he ratified his
treaty and ran back to trouble Israel. Edom's reconstitution under a revenge
seeking ruler could not have been good.
-
We'll find soon that he caused trouble, grievous mischief for Solomon. We
aren't given any details Biblically, but Solomon was vexed because of it.
-
It seems however, that Hadad's presence was not enough. Enter the second
adversary, Rezon of Syria. Verse 23.
•
I Kings 11:23-25 : "And God raised up another adversary
against him, Rezon the son of Eliadah, who had fled from his lord, Hadadezer
king of Zobah. So
he gathered men to him and became captain over a band of raiders, when David
killed those of Zobah. And they went to Damascus and dwelt there, and reigned
in Damascus. He
was an adversary of Israel all the days of Solomon (besides the trouble that
Hadad caused); and he abhorred Israel, and reigned over Syria."
Rezon had once served Hadadezer,
another King who had been routed by David, detailed in II Samuel 8:3, when Hadadezer attempted to regain his territory
near the Euphrates river.
-
It seems a fortunate turn of events that he left when he did. Perhaps he
differed with Hadadezer over his attack plan. Maybe, he had been forced out.
-
Either way, he wasn't a friend to David or Hadadezer. While in exile, he was
able to regroup and began to run a company that eventually took control of
Damascus.
-
Here is an adversary that hated, loathed, wearied themselves in disgust over
Israel. Hadad might have had revenge on his mind, but Rezon had an irrational
hatred of Israel.
-
It doesn't seem that these two ever had a formal alliance, but they both caused
trouble for Israel, Hadad from the south east and Rezon from the North.
-
Israel's enemies are beginning to surround the nation. Not much has changed in
that regard!
-
With two enemies stationed outside of the Kingdom, God had one more that he
raised from within. Verse 26.
•
I Kings 11:26-28 : "Then Solomon’s servant, Jeroboam the
son of Nebat, an Ephraimite from Zereda, whose mother’s name was Zeruah, a
widow, also rebelled against the king. And
this is what caused him to rebel against the king: Solomon had built the Millo
and repaired the damages to the City of David his father. The man Jeroboam was a mighty man of valor; and Solomon,
seeing that the young man was industrious, made him the officer over all the
labor force of the house of Joseph." :
Jeroboam's name means "The people will contend." This is a fitting
and ironic name for this man from Northern Israel.
-
He was a man who is quite different from Solomon. Solomon was raised in a
King's house with a favored Mother. Jeroboam was raised by a single Mother
after she had been widowed.
-
Solomon's path was set before he was born. Jeroboam had to work for every
privilege he would have. In that ancient time, the loss of a Father was a
devastating blow to a family.
-
Without the aid of government assistance, a son in such a family would have
tremendous pressure to succeed for the sake of his Mother.
-
Jeroboam didn't shrink away from that responsibility and eventually became
Solomon's servant and a rebel against against him.
-
By all rights, he should never have been anything. But he was something special
in his day, which is what initially earned the King's recognition.
-
Solomon's construction efforts required a large labor force and Jeroboam stood
out among the crowd as a strong, capable man, who was also young and
industrious.
-
The sense is that he worked hard and got things done. Solomon rewarded him with
a position over all of the employees that were from the people of Ephraim.
-
This is a good testimony to have as a Christian employee. Have the intention of
working hard and well enough that you might be noticed by your employer.
-
Intend to be a blessing to them! In the case of Jeroboam, he went from being a
great employee to a supervisor! He was a true rags to riches, hometown hero!
-
This relationship seems to be an incredible blessing to both men and everything
seems to be going very well until a life changing meeting with a Prophet
occurs. Verse 29.
•
I Kings 11:29,30 : "Now it happened at that time, when
Jeroboam went out of Jerusalem, that the prophet Ahijah the Shilonite met him
on the way; and he had clothed himself with a new garment, and the two were
alone in the field. Then Ahijah took hold of the new garment that was on him, and
tore it into twelve pieces." : Jeroboam
is minding his own business when Ahijah steps onto the scene. He was a prophet
and was wearing a new garment. That wasn't the usual mode of dress for such a
man.
-
From what we see of the rest of the prophets, generally, their attire was more
earthy and certainly more worn. Seeing a prophet dressed like this would have
been noteworthy.
-
Ahijah met Jeroboam while he was on the way and while they were alone, Ahijah
just ripped his garment into twelve pieces! Can you imagine the dramatic
effect?
-
What was Jeroboam thinking when he saw this? Did he stand in stunned silence?
Did he tell Ahijah not to do that to his clothes? Did he think the man was
crazy?
-
If he thought his actions were strange, his message was going to floor him!
Verse 31.
•
I Kings 11:31-36 : "And he said to Jeroboam, 'Take for
yourself ten pieces, for thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: ‘Behold, I will tear the kingdom out of the
hand of Solomon and will give ten tribes to you (but he shall have one tribe for
the sake of My servant David, and for the sake of Jerusalem, the city which I
have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel), because they have forsaken
Me, and worshiped Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, Chemosh the god of
the Moabites, and Milcom the god of the people of Ammon, and have not walked in
My ways to do what is right in My eyes and keep My statutes and My judgments,
as did his father David. However I will not take the whole kingdom out of his hand,
because I have made him ruler all the days of his life for the sake of My
servant David, whom I chose because he kept My commandments and My statutes. But I will take the kingdom out of
his son’s hand and give it to you—ten tribes. And to his son I will give one
tribe, that My servant David may always have a lamp before Me in Jerusalem, the
city which I have chosen for Myself, to put My name there." :
God had told Solomon that He would
tear the Kingdom away from him, just as He had torn the Kingdom from Saul.
-
What does it say to a King when his servant is given the keys to the Kingdom?
Embarassing!
-
Ahijah takes the ten pieces of cloth representing the Kingdom of Israel, and
gives them to Jeroboam because God has elected that they belong to him.
-
Can you imagine the emotions that must have gripped him? He was going to be the
King in the place of Solomon! What an amazing turn of events!
-
Israel would now be divided between the northern 10 tribes and the largest
tribe, being the tribe of Judah, which also included the still recovering tribe
of Benjamin.
-
They are not listed as a tribe because their numbers had been so incredibly
decimated following the civil war mentioned in Judges 20 and 21.
-
Jeroboam is about to get the keys to the Kingdom because the people of God
under Solomon's rule had turned to idolatry. It had begun with Solomon but had
spread like a cancer.
-
The only reason Solomon would retain a single tribe was for the sake of God's
promise to David and for the sake of His choice of Jerusalem.
-
Everything else would be under the control of Jeroboam shortly once Solomon
died and passed over the Kingdom to his son. Verse 37.
•
I Kings 11:37-39 : "So I will take you, and you shall
reign over all your heart desires, and you shall be king over Israel. Then it shall be, if you heed all
that I command you, walk in My ways, and do what is right in My sight, to keep
My statutes and My commandments, as My servant David did, then I will be with
you and build for you an enduring house, as I built for David, and will give
Israel to you. And
I will afflict the descendants of David because of this, but not forever.’" : Jeroboam wasn't a member or royalty. He was a labor leader. At
this time in his life, he was God's choice. God was going to take him and
because of that he would rule!
-
God was going to take this ill-prepared, unlikely candidate and make him the
ruler over everything he desired. God was promoting him and giving him the same
promises as Solomon.
-
Jeroboam has the same chance that every person has had before him. If he kept
God's word, if he would walk in the ways of David, then God would build him a
house that lasted forever.
-
This language is sure, God's promise is sincere. Jeroboam has a great chance to
succeed and to see his house blessed for generations.
-
As for David's descendants, Jeroboam represented a time of affliction for
David's house, but a time would come when that affliction would cease,
especially in the ultimate descendant Jesus!
-
How would Solomon respond to this news? Take a look at verse 40.
•
I Kings 11:40-43 : "Solomon therefore sought to kill
Jeroboam. But Jeroboam arose and fled to Egypt, to Shishak king of Egypt, and
was in Egypt until the death of Solomon. Now the rest of the acts of
Solomon, all that he did, and his wisdom, are they not written in the book of
the acts of Solomon? And the period that Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel
was forty years. Then Solomon rested with his fathers, and was buried in the City
of David his father. And Rehoboam his son reigned in his place." : It didn't take long for Solomon to discover that God had
appointed Jeroboam to be the King over the northern tribes.
-
We aren't told how he knew, but word gets around! Solomon could have looked
back into his history, specifically in the narrative pertaining to his Dad.
-
Saul had once been told that God was going to seek out a man that was better
than him, whose heart was His. Saul sought to kill him and spent a decade in
futility fighting against God!
-
Solomon, refusing to repent and refusing to accept God's decree, sought instead
to act like Saul. He sought to kill Jeroboam! What a mighty fall this man
experienced?
-
Solomon in the throes of idolatry, acts just like Saul when he was in the
throes of his madness! What a tremendous thought!
-
Having had such wisdom from God, here he foolishly seeks to fight against Him!
For his part, Jeroboam took refuge in Egypt until Solomon's death.
-
In the meantime, the rest of Solomon's life is documented in a book called the
"Acts of Solomon," which God chose not to preserve. Is there any
wonder why?
-
What else do we need to know that we don't already know? Certainly the rest of
Solomon's life was filled with extravagent living and poor choices!
-
There are some who believe that Solomon ascended to the throne in his teens,
wrote the Proverbs and Song of Songs in his 20's and 30's.
-
At the halfway point of his tenure, he turned to idolatry in his 40's and died
in his early 60's.
-
Some believe that he wrote Ecclesiastes
last, as a confession to the emptiness that he lived while in idolatry. I
certainly hope that that is the case.
-
Some point to the fact that the Bible mentions him "resting with his
Fathers and being buried in the City of David" as a proof of that.
-
The problem is that the phrase "rested with his Fathers" is employed
repeatedly and is applied to good and wicked Kings alike!
-
Unfortunately for people like Solomon, the very best that we can hope for is
that he repented at the end. I fear personally that I may never meet him!
-
He stands, in my mind as a man who may be the greatest failure in the entire
Bible! We'll get to know his son Rehoboam next week!
Conclusion
- Let's pray.
No comments:
Post a Comment