A King of promise and a king of a good will (1 Kings 12q)

1 King 12:1-33

Key verse 12:7

1.      [1-5] Who was Rehoboam? (1 Chr 3:10) Why did he go to Shechem (1)? Who was Jeroboam? (1 King 11:26-40) What did the whole assembly of Israel do (2-3)? What did they request Rehoboam of (4)? Why (Ref. 10:7-9; 1 Samuel 8:10-19)? What was Rehoboam's reply? (5)

2.      [6-15] What was the elders’ advice (6-7)? What was the young men’s advice who grew up with him (10-11)? Whose advice did Rehoboam take (12-14)? What did the author tell us about Rehoboam’s rejection of the wise advice? (15)

3.      [16-19] What was their answer to the king (16a)? Discuss their answer with respect to their need and God’s promise (2 Sam 7:11b-16).  How strong was their resolved to this decision (18)? What was the result (16b-17)? What’s the author’s view of this event (19)? Discuss what are the things that may serve people to rebel against God’s purpose and how one might not participate in rebellion against God’s will. 

4.      [20-24] Which tribe remained loyal to the house of David (20)? Discuss what ‘remaining loyal to the house of David’ means. On returning to Jerusalem, why did Rehoboam muster his army (21)? What word came from the Lord (22-24a)? How did they respond to God’s word (24)?  In view of this event. discuss how conflicts among believers may find its resolution. 

5.      [25-33] What did Jeroboam do first (25; Ref. 12:1; Josh 24:1-28)? And why (26-27)? Find the differences and their significance between Shechem (Josh 24:1-28) and Jerusalem (8:29-51; 9:3; see also 2 Sam 24). What are the things that he did (28-32)? Where did he get this idea (28a)? Discuss what the foundation of Jeroboam’s kingship might be.

6.      Find the differences and their significances between Shechem (Josh 24:1-28), the northern capital city, and Jerusalem, that of southern kingdom (8:29-51; 9:3; see also 2 Sam 24; Cf. Deut 12:10-14). Discuss what the foundation of the northern kingdom was and compare it with that of Southern kingdom. Discuss the rebellion in regard to its nature, purpose, and outcome, and how the lesson in this passage may be applicable to us.