II Chronicles Chapter 11
Please read: II Chronicles 11 –
As we begin reading this chapter there is an assumption made that the kingdom of Rehoboam had already been split into the northern kingdom (called Israel) and the southern kingdom (called Judah). Rehoboam was the king of Judah and Jeroboam the king of Israel. The natural thing would be for Rehoboam to want to put up arms against Jeroboam that took more than half his kingdom away from him, but God told him not to. God had ordained that judgement was going to fall on Israel because of their disobedience to Him, but it would not be at the hands of their countrymen.
Rehoboam instead set his purpose to build fortified cities that would hold the line in the event of an attack from the north. Rehoboam was going to make sure that he held on to the portion of the kingdom known as Judah and Benjamin while Jeroboam now controlled the land of the other 10 tribes. And so, the kingdom that was supposed to look to God and God only was now divided in two.
Let's Reflect
1. How many cities are listed as cities that Rehoboam built as fortified cities?
2. According to verses 13-14 there was a migration of the Levites who lived in the northern kingdom to live in the southern kingdom. Why did they leave?
3. The Levites and priests of the northern kingdom had it on their heart that they wanted to do what?
4. Jeroboam, king of the northern kingdom, made up his own religion. What did his religion include?
5. Scripture tells us that there was a significant amount of time where the people, the Levites and the priests of the southern kingdom were devoted to God. What was the length of time of devotion? Does it strike you that this season was not very long?
6. The remaining verses tell us that Rehoboam followed all the ancient kings of that time and married multiple wives. We also see that he made plans for his dynasty to be continued by his choice of one of his sons. What other things did he do for his sons?
