Introduction

Books of 1 and 2 Kings are shaped around 4 significant events:

1. 967BC David's son Solomon united Israel and began to build the temple
2. 931BC nation split in two. 10 nations formed a new kingdom of Israel under Jeroboam (considered a rebel), and Judah was the other kingdom under the Davidic King Rehoboam.
3. 722 The nation of Israel (10 northern tribes) were attacked and destroyed by the Assyrians and vanish as a nation at that stage in history.
4. The nation of Judah continued until about 587 BC until it was destroyed by the Babylonians and the people were taken in captivity.

So these books written from captivity in Babylon to warn the people against repeating the same sins again.

As we enter Chapter 11 of Kings, we are at the end of Solomon’s life and reign. As king he had sown seeds of self-indulgence and so Solomon ends his life in spiritual rebellion, under the judgement of God, with his kingdom beginning to unravel. His failure will haunt the nation for the rest of it’s history.

We look at the first 2 Kings – Rehoboam Southern tribes – Judah) and Jeroboam Northern tribes – Israel. Rehoboam did not listen to the people or to God. This was the essence of his foolishness. Rehoboam ended his rule after 17 years leaving a legacy of conflict and decline. Jeroboam established his authority as King of the Northern Tribes (Israel). Jeroboam had an amazing promise from God, and it was fulfilled in him being appointed King of Israel. This was by God’s grace not through any political manoeuvrings. Jeroboam would rather trust his own instincts than the word of God, even though he had witnessed the power of God with his own eyes! Jeroboam reigned for 22 years.