The Divided Kingdom The Divided Kingdom It was the Golden Age, the Camelot in the history of God’s people. David had expanded the kingdom with a mighty It was the Golden Age, the Camelot in the history of God’s people. David had expanded the kingdom with a mighty army and the strength of the Lord. Solomon had added riches and fame to the tiny land of Israel. It seemed that all army and the strength of the Lord. Solomon had added riches and fame to the tiny land of Israel. It seemed that all was well. And, although blessed by God, and very successful, both David’s and Solomon’s lives, and reigns included was well. And, although blessed by God, and very successful, both David’s and Solomon’s lives, and reigns included disappointments and heavy sins. By the end of Solomon’s reign, he had 700 wives and 300 concubines. The Bible disappointments and heavy sins. By the end of Solomon’s reign, he had 700 wives and 300 concubines. The Bible says, “And his wives turned away his heart.” What followed this Golden Age might be described as downfall and says, “And his wives turned away his heart.” What followed this Golden Age might be described as downfall and disaster. Israel became a divided nation. The Northern Kingdom included 10 tribes and the Southern only two but disaster. Israel became a divided nation. The Northern Kingdom included 10 tribes and the Southern only two but those two were Benjamin and Judah. Remember that at the end of Genesis, Jacob’s son, Judah received the promise those two were Benjamin and Judah. Remember that at the end of Genesis, Jacob’s son, Judah received the promise that out of his family would come the Savior; “The scepter shall not depart from Judah” (Genesis 49:10). This is that out of his family would come the Savior; “The scepter shall not depart from Judah” (Genesis 49:10). This is significant. So how did God’s people become so divided? As so often happens, even today, a power struggle arose significant. So how did God’s people become so divided? As so often happens, even today, a power struggle arose between Rehoboam and Jeroboam. Rehoboam was to be the next king and he wisely sought the counsel of between Rehoboam and Jeroboam. Rehoboam was to be the next king and he wisely sought the counsel of Solomon’s old leaders. Then he unwisely went to his friends for counsel who advised him to exact heavy taxes and Solomon’s old leaders. Then he unwisely went to his friends for counsel who advised him to exact heavy taxes and discipline on the people. That is the route Rehoboam took. Pride and power plays caused the division of God’s discipline on the people. That is the route Rehoboam took. Pride and power plays caused the division of God’s people in the end and Israel was never a united nation again. Have you dealt with power struggles? Jesus did. Read people in the end and Israel was never a united nation again. Have you dealt with power struggles? Jesus did. Read about the power struggle among the disciples in Luke 9. Jesus found himself in a constant power struggle with the about the power struggle among the disciples in Luke 9. Jesus found himself in a constant power struggle with the leaders of the Jews. Paul and Peter had their struggles. And the first and most deadly power struggle came in the leaders of the Jews. Paul and Peter had their struggles. And the first and most deadly power struggle came in the Garden of Eden. Power struggles never end well and do not honor God who ordains authority. If you are involved Garden of Eden. Power struggles never end well and do not honor God who ordains authority. If you are involved in one, repent, and turn to Jesus to whom all authority has been given and who rules with justice and mercy. The in one, repent, and turn to Jesus to whom all authority has been given and who rules with justice and mercy. The Lord promised to bless the seed of Judah and David and, despite the division in Israel, the power plays, and worship Lord promised to bless the seed of Judah and David and, despite the division in Israel, the power plays, and worship of false gods that went on throughout the history of God’s people, the Lord of power fulfilled His promise and sent of false gods that went on throughout the history of God’s people, the Lord of power fulfilled His promise and sent His Son as our Savior. His Son as our Savior. Getting Started (10 min/week): Think about those who have power over you. How do you feel about Getting Started (10 min/week): Think about those who have power over you. How do you feel about their authority? Does having power over others mean a lot to you? Can you remember some power their authority? Does having power over others mean a lot to you? Can you remember some power struggles from your past, perhaps even with parents? How did they end? What did you learn? How does struggles from your past, perhaps even with parents? How did they end? What did you learn? How does Got fit into the picture when people vie for power? Got fit into the picture when people vie for power? Growing Deeper (10 min/day): Listen to a Podcast on I Kings. Go to issuesetc.org→ Talk→ On Demand Growing Deeper (10 min/day): Listen to a Podcast on I Kings. Go to issuesetc.org→ Talk→ On Demand Archives→ In the search bar type: Introducing the Books of the Bible I Kings. Learn another perspective on Archives→ In the search bar type: Introducing the Books of the Bible I Kings. Learn another perspective on the Divided Kingdom. the Divided Kingdom. Leading Well In your small group, look up some of the power struggles in Scripture and think about how Leading Well In your small group, look up some of the power struggles in Scripture and think about how God worked through them and forgave those involved. Genesis 3, Genesis 37-45, I Samuel 15-20, I Kings 18, God worked through them and forgave those involved. Genesis 3, Genesis 37-45, I Samuel 15-20, I Kings 18, Luke 9. You can probably think of others. Discuss the ways God works. Share where you see God’s justice Luke 9. You can probably think of others. Discuss the ways God works. Share where you see God’s justice and mercy when power struggles unfold. What wisdom can you gain for your own life from these Bible and mercy when power struggles unfold. What wisdom can you gain for your own life from these Bible narratives? Pray for God to help you release your desire for power over Him and others. narratives? Pray for God to help you release your desire for power over Him and others. Reading: Sunday, 1 Chronicles 4-6 & Romans 3; Monday, 1 Chronicles 7-9 & Romans 4; Tuesday, Reading: Sunday, 1 Chronicles 4-6 & Romans 3; Monday, 1 Chronicles 7-9 & Romans 4; Tuesday, 1 Chronicles 10-12 & Romans 5; Wednesday, 1 Chronicles 13-15 & Romans 6; Thursday, 1 Chronicles 16-18 1 Chronicles 10-12 & Romans 5; Wednesday, 1 Chronicles 13-15 & Romans 6; Thursday, 1 Chronicles 16-18 & Romans 7; Friday, 1 Chronicles 19-21 & Romans 8; Saturday, Psalm 52-54 & Romans 7; Friday, 1 Chronicles 19-21 & Romans 8; Saturday, Psalm 52-54 SPIRIT OF SPIRIT OF TRUTH TRUTH Guide Us in All Truth Guide Us in All Truth “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.” John 16:12-13 he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.” John 16:12-13 Tell Us of Things to Come Tell Us of Things to Come “And I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and “And I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke. The sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the day of the vapor of smoke. The sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day. And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon Lord comes, the great and magnificent day. And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Acts 2:19-21 the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Acts 2:19-21 Christ Be Glorified! Christ Be Glorified! “He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is “He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you.