Lesson
5
The
Divided Kingdom
III. The Divided
Kingdom
Solomon had built a
great kingdom, but after his death it was divided. Solomon's son, Rehoboam,
threatened to lay a heavier tax burden on the people than Solomon had. The
people demanded reforms but Rehoboam took the counsel of his younger advisors,
rather than that of the older and more experienced men. The results were a
revolt and a kingdom divided into North and South, Israel and Judah (I Kings
12).
A. The Northern
Kingdom (I Kings 12-16)
The Northern Kingdom
consisted of ten tribes, and was known as the Kingdom of Israel. Their first
King was Jeroboam and their capitol was Samaria. Israel had a total of nineteen
Kings reign over them to say, all of them were wicked and spiritually depraved.
There was not one strong, spiritual leader among them.
Because of this weak spiritual leadership, idolatry was rampant.
God in His mercy sent
many prophets to warn Israel of impending judgment. Two of the most notable
prophets to Israel were Elijah and Elisha, mighty men of God who performed many
miraculous works. All of their prophecies were fulfilled in their lifetime.
They are referred to as contemporary prophets. The people refused to repent of
their evil and the judgment of God came. Israel's kingdom fell and they were
taken away captive by Assyria in 721 B.C. (II Kings 17).
Judgment will soon
come upon this world, and those who have not served God will be "carried
off captive for eternity." It is important that the gospel message be
obeyed now!
B. The Southern
Kingdom
The Southern Kingdom
consisted of two tribes, Judah and Benjamin, and was known as the Kingdom of
Judah. The first King of Judah was Rehoboam, and the capitol city was
Jerusalem. Judah had nineteen kings and one queen who reigned over her. Unlike
the Kingdom of Israel, Judah did have some good kings, although many were
idolatrous and evil.
Judah received her
prophets from God also. They warned of the judgment of God, and His wrath that
would surely come, unless they repented. Such men of God as Isaiah and Jeremiah
were sent to Judah with a message of impending judgment. However, Judah refused
to repent and in 606 B.C. this nation was carried into captivity by
Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon (II Kings 25). This captivity was to last for seventy
years (Jeremiah 25:11-12). While in Babylon, the Spirit of God moved on such
men as Daniel and Ezekiel.
C. Last Day
Prophecy
In anointed prophecies, we can learn much concerning
this present time, the last days. There has never been a time that the Scriptures
have a more significant meaning than now. Surely, these days are the last days.
Although the exact hour or the day is unknown/ Jesus did give a forecast of the
the prevailing conditions of the end time. The days of Israel and Judah were a
period of spiritual apostasy with an idolatrous people with their own gods.
Material things, entertainment and the love of money are popular idols of our
time. It is important to obey the Word of the Lord. The time is at hand!