This week’s study on the Rise and Fall of Israel’s Monarch’s continues with a look at the Kingdom of Israel in trouble. Upon the death of Solomon, the United Kingdom of Israel will divide along similar lines that existed prior to the reign of King David. Much of this was due to the failures during the portion of Solomon’s reign in which he worshipped and pursued false gods which was forbidden by the Lord. The allowance of idol worship in the kingdom became a continual problem during the reign of all the kings of Israel and Judah. The failure of the kings to pursue the Lord wholeheartedly is at the root of the division between the Northern Kingdom of Israel and the Southern Kingdom of Judah. The division begins after Solomon dies in which the 10 northern tribes of Israel will follow Jeroboam (one of Solomon’s servants) and the other 2 tribes of Judah and Benjamin will follow Rehoboam (Solomon’s son). This civil war will continue for hundreds of years and the two kingdoms will never formally unite again. Each kingdom will have its own king. Those of the Northern Kingdom will establish their own set of kings (all wicked and evil), their own temple and their own form of worship which will primarily be a worship of false pagan gods. Those of the Southern Kingdom of Judah will fare a little better and their kings (all descendants of David) will be a mixture of good and bad kings, yet in spite of themselves and their often falling away from true worship of the Lord, they will at times repent and restore themselves to the Lord. This transition from a United Kingdom to a divided one is a bid of a sad story but all is not lost, and the Lord’s plan to restore His people to Himself is ultimately found in the Messiah – Jesus Christ.
Lesson 5 – A Divided Kingdom (Student Copy)
Good News Bible Studies - Mike Southwick 