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2CHRONICLES
CHAPTER 10

1 And Rehoboam went to Shechem: for to Shechem were all Israel come to make him king. 2 And it came to pass, when Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who was in Egypt, whither he had fled from the presence of Solomon the king, heard it, that Jeroboam returned out of Egypt. 3 And they sent and called him. So Jeroboam and all Israel came and spake to Rehoboam, saying,

Solomon had led the nation to tremendous prosperity. And he had led them in Jerusalem. Why, then, are they gathered at Shechem to inaugurate Rehoboam?
There's more here than meets the eye! They reign of Solomon had been propsperous; but he had taxed the people. Solomon had given them riches, honor, power, prestige and peace; but he had taxed the people. Solomon had given them hope, joy, contentment; but he had taxed the people. We humans want everything without paying!
There's a lesson here. People are rebellious about taxation. Jesus gives forgiveness, hope, peace, joy, contentment, assurance; but He also TAXES His people. He expects them to WORK!
If you ever feel like the Christ of Christianity is exacting too much from you, remember it's not as much as it SHOULD be!
Now, back to our story. Solomon had died, and the people sensed an opportunity to remove the taxation. So they gathered at Shechem showing "people power." Rehoboam came expecting acceptance, but is met with obstinence.
Jeroboam, whom Solomon had trained and banished, came back to Israel. He had been run off by Solomon because of the prophecy that Jeroboam would receive 10/12 of the kingdom (see 1Kings 11:29-39).
The people elected Jeroboam as a spokesman to demand reduction of taxation.

4 Thy father made our yoke grievous: now therefore ease thou somewhat the grievous servitude of thy father, and his heavy yoke that he put upon us, and we will serve thee. 5 And he said unto them, Come again unto me after three days. And the people departed. 6 And king Rehoboam took counsel with the old men that had stood before Solomon his father while he yet lived, saying, What counsel give ye me to return answer to this people? 7 And they spake unto him, saying, If thou be kind to this people, and please them, and speak good words to them, they will be thy servants for ever.

Rehoboam gave a wise answer at first. He asked for three days tor esearch the question of reducing taxes. Then he sought counsel from elders. That too was a wise decision.
The advice given to him by the elders was good. Look particularly at verse 7. In other words, what these men said was, "If you will SERVE these people, they will SERVE you!" This advice came from men who knew that working with people is the best way to get them to work.
Any leader must be a good servant!
Jesus siad that if a man wanted to be "chief," he must first become the greatest "servant" (Matthew 20:25-28).

8 But he forsook the counsel which the old men gave him, and took counsel with the young men that were brought up with him, that stood before him. 9 And he said unto them, What advice give ye that we may return answer to this people, which have spoken to me, saying, Ease somewhat the yoke that thy father did put upon us? 10 And the young men that were brought up with him spake unto him, saying, Thus shalt thou answer the people that spake unto thee, saying, Thy father made our yoke heavy, but make thou it somewhat lighter for us; thus shalt thou say unto them, My little finger shall be thicker than my father's loins. 11 For whereas my father put a heavy yoke upon you, I will put more to your yoke: my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.

Rehoboam then went to some younger men who might have been friends. He asked them to give advice also. Their advice was of selfishness and power-seeking.

12 So Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam on the third day, as the king bade, saying, Come again to me on the third day. 13 And the king answered them roughly; and king Rehoboam forsook the counsel of the old men, 14 And answered them after the advice of the young men, saying, My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add thereto: my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions. 15 So the king hearkened not unto the people: for the cause was of God, that the LORD might perform his word, which he spake by the hand of Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam the son of Nebat.

Rehoboam took the advice of the younger men. That's disconcerting. The son of the wisest man in the world ought to have known better.
Leaders don't lead by authority, but by example.
That's often the problem with humanity. We KNOW better, but we don't always DO better.
Notice that the Bible records that this problem was "of God!" God KNEW beforehand. He knew before time! He had prophesied that this would happen. And when it did, God was prepared. God is NEVER unprepared!
Is God omnipotent? Then why do "bad things happen to good people?" Because there is a need for correction.
Rehoboam did wrong - he acted childishly! But the 10 tribes acted even MORE childishly!
These Northern tribes would NEVER again return to worship Jehovah rightly! Their descendents would be plagued with a legacy of idol-worship and sensuality. And eventually, they Northern tribes would be carried off into captivity, losing their homeland. And they they would be scattered around the world.
In opposition to Rehoboam, Christ NEVER acts childishly with His people. In fact ALL His promises are TRUE (2Corinthians 1:20). Therefore, we should ALWAYS take heed to His leadership and follow His direction; even when it exacts taxing work!
To leave the rulership of Christ, is to leave the peace and protection of Christ.

16 And when all Israel saw that the king would not hearken unto them, the people answered the king, saying, What portion have we in David? and we have none inheritance in the son of Jesse: every man to your tents, O Israel: and now, David, see to thine own house. So all Israel went to their tents. 17 But as for the children of Israel that dwelt in the cities of Judah, Rehoboam reigned over them. 18 Then king Rehoboam sent Hadoram that was over the tribute; and the children of Israel stoned him with stones, that he died. But king Rehoboam made speed to get him up to his chariot, to flee to Jerusalem. 19 And Israel rebelled against the house of David unto this day.

Notice what they said. "What portion have we in David?" Well, SALVATION was the portion they had in David!! God had promised that as long as they would follow HIM, they would have a king on David's throne to LEAD them! God had promised that he would appoint a ruler of David's descendency and Rehoboam was that ruler. The people could have changed Rehoboam's style of leadership by willing servantship!
This is one of the problems in America today. That is: God's people aren't willing to be SERVANTS! They continually gripe and complain about taxation and laws; but they don't DO what God says will CHANGE the situation!
What will change America is for Christians to SURRENDER to the RULERSHIP of Christ and become obedient servants! God's people refuse to be prayerful, studious, evangelists who stand against immorality.
The 10 Northern tribes disavowed legal interes in God's chosen leadership. Therefore, they wer enot only rebelling against Rehoboam, but also against God!
And they continued that rebellion until God finally had to remove them from the land.
Some of the leaders of our land in America are also childish and power-seeking. But the BEST way to change that is to be obedient servants to God!
Rehoboam tried to force thenation to be united and pay the taxes. He sent Hadoram out to bring in the taxes. But the people stoned him.
Look at verse 19. That is STILL true!!
When Jesus came to bring the nation of Israel into subjective servantship, they CRUCIFIED Him! And they rebel against God's anointed Messiah even to THIS DAY!
((((The author wishes to acknowledge that many Jewish people have received and are receiving Jesus as Messiah today. However, the nation as a whole still refuses to accept Him as Lord and Saviour.))))
The Jewish nation is not through being used of God. But the Jewish nation alone doesn't constitute the "Israel" of this present dispensation.
The reason God took the authority and power away from Rehoboam was because he acted childishly and rebelled from truth.
The reason God allowed the Northern ten tribes to be lured into idolatry was because they acted childishly and rebelled from truth.
The blessing of salvation is lost when people act childishly and rebel against the TRUTH - Jesus!
Many blessings of the JOY of salvation are lost when Christians rebel against the TRUTH - Jesus!

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