1 Kings Chapter 12 Discussion

I hear what you say. I have family too. I love them very much.

We are followers of Jesus. Everyone expresses it how they decide. Let us remember the rich young ruler story, to keep us oriented rightly. That's Ll I'm saying. I didn't choose this, it chose me.

I do it because no one asked me if I'd like to go to church with them. Not even JW's, lol. I was bad, but I needed help.

THE CROWN OF REJOICING:

To those who faithfully are witnesses to the saving grace of God and lead souls to Jesus. This crown has also been named the soul winner's crown. Itindicates here that God will be giving a crown to those who have witnessed toothers and leading people to Christ.Telling others about the grace of God, telling others about Jesus, is the greatest thing that you can do for someone while here on this earth. When you help someone to be led to the Lord, you have just been used as a vessel of God. It says in the Bible,"Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holy and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe:" 1 Thessalonians 2:10 God will judge you by your willingness and desire to be used by Him to witness to others, not necessarily on how many actually get saved; because we are to water and He gives the increase.Christians can be used by God to try to lead others to the Lord. God can fit opportunities for you in your life to witness and work for Him if you allow Him to. Some could be your unsaved friends, family members or co-workers, etc. The Bible says it good here,"For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of ourLord Jesus Christat his coming?" 1 Thessalonians 2:19

Pray to the Lord of the Harvest.

Good day Mishael

You are right. We should be living for Jesus every day. We are to be ready for His return as we continue to go about His business. For some, it is missionary work, for others volunteering to serve others in a church fellowship, for others, it is continuing to work a solid work week to provide for their families, and for still others, it is being retired and spending time with family and enjoying grandkids. Family life is really important. All family relationships are important: parents, children, siblings,grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins.

All of these aspects of family are worth having and fostering in healthy, godly ways. So many children miss out on positive family relations.

As believers, these relationships are very valuable, as we should rely on me another in day to day life and in times of trouble. When more trying times come upon us, we will seek to assist our family first, as I think is how the Bible instructs us. Evangelism and love for others starts with family.

I think the point of being wise to the times and readiness is important, but I also believe we are to live out our lives in the situation God has placed us in until we have a clear directive from the Spirit to do otherwise. Others may disagree, but I think this way because of how the family has suffered so much damage over the past few generations, we just an't ignore the needs of our children and grandchildren. They are our mission field while they are young.

In 1990 I sent a letter to 11 Major ministries in the Us. It was about Ancient deities that people sacrificed their children to; aborted.

I listed cycles of discipline beside each new ten year cycle of people born in the US. What defined each unique generation. From the 50's until now. Don't think no one noticed. God knows what you suffer; and are suffering. He wants to heal those who want to be healed. He gave His only begotten Son for us. Every aborted baby is alive in heaven and loved.

I watched those generations. I seek no glory for I bow my knee to the One who reached into near hell and pulled me out. I saw Him. I saw a Hand. I am telling you that this is the generation that will see Jesus catch up His Church in the clouds.

We are all called to be Watchman. Whether we believe this is happening_is up to us. We can be all in, or all out. The dream of long life, happy retirement in a beautiful lakehouse with our grandkids, will not be. There's no reason we can't marry and have families now. Let's repent and lead the people who are here now; to Jesus's salvation.

The signs of the end are here. They are undeniable Now, but people are ostriches! The 1st day after the Rapture everyone will go to Church then.

I'm not going to be engaged in unbelief. I haven't had a nice 35 yr long baby Christian life. I had to hit it hard fast. There's others like me. We came in after the charismatic thing. We were warned of false prophets, false teachers, wolves, hirelings, antichrist spirits, sensuality, apostates. It's here now.

Vote for Jesus. But let's stop being politically soured on life. Awake Sleepers.

Re-imagine life in heaven, eternally. Make it happen. Evangelize. Preach simple for short attention spans. Tell your testimony. Meet real people! Get off Facebook. Pass out Chick tracts. Ask Jesus for a new anointing. People need THE GOOD NEWS for a change. Preach the SIGNS of His Coming.

Stay off public private properties.

Michael and T. Levi's

This is an interesting thread.

I think that there is wisdom in both of your viewpoints.

There is good reason that Scripture tells us to respect our parents and elders. These people ought to have gained wisdom over time as well as having had more time to practice godliness through walking by the Spirit. Yet, there are many folks in the elder category who do not live God's way and practice hypocrisy. So we cannot lump. Everyone together in an age category. Likewise, many in the younger generation are sincerely seeking to live God's way and learn. From the example of others. They may look to those in the elder generation for godly advice and lifestyle examples. It is a blessing when they find an elder person they can trust and learn from.

Yet again, many in the younger generation think that the elder generation is old fashioned or out of touch with the realities of the younger generation. This attitude has been present in our society since the elder generation was young. When the younger folks say "OK Boomer" it usually reflects a dismissive, disrespectful attitude towards the elder person and what that person says. It is meant to as a put down.

So, I think that all believers in all generations should live a lifestyle that exemplifies Christ and speak to one another respectfully and listen attentively expecting to hear something helpful from others especially across generations.

As to the abortion issue. Sadly, it is those of the baby boomer generation that brought in the legalization of abortion and millions of babies have been murdered this way since 1972 (and also before it was legal).

But then again, it was many in this same generation that set up, supported, and volunteered at crisis pregnancy centers across the nation to help women see their baby in the womb via ultrasound and counsel them to choose life for their baby, along with adoption services and families adopting babies that would have been aborted without these services.

As I just read your post I was just reminded 1st time I've ever noticed. 1 Kings 11:1-14, Proverbs 4:7, Ecclesiastes 7:12, 1 Kings 4:34, Deuteronomy 7:3-4,

Did his son lose respect because of what he witnessed his father Solomon doing? Did he think of that generation as hypothetical? Because of action?

Then I just thought of Now generations. I believe the young generation that says "ok, boomer" to the oldest generation has watched the results of Abortion, that started during the Oldest generation's "WATCH" not correcting the next generation.

Then the generation X, (did it derive name because they were 1st legal abortion babies?) were & are treated with scorn, disregard, disrespect & often cruelly from those establishments hypothetically calling themselves "church" even robbed their parenting rights, from those same people who were pushing others even own children to abort living heirs?!!

Now oldest generation telling Millenials & Gen Z's to "work to help pay for their retirements"?/? How can children respect if no one shows them how?

Please pray about how you can heal, help, encourage, uplift those younger Generations because love, examples & truth in real faith will help.

With love my brother, in CHRIST

I see that Rehoboam consults the older advisors first-advisors who would have advised Solomon in his day.

Rehoboam listens to the younger generation. He forsakes that which is old and traditional and that which has previously brought prosperity to his ancestors.

My understanding is that the message here is that Rehoboam has strayed from the true course of rectitude.

It is not just that young people are not important for counsel; it is making plain that Rehoboam has chosen unwisely and listened to the wrong group of advisors.

Often, but not always, youthful men, caught up in their hormones, can foolishly make judgement that an older male would not do. Impetuosity and brashness are tamed with the thoughtful experience of past mistakes--- when one gets older and has had time to reflect on the foolishness and wisdom learned from a life well considered.

I know. I've lived it.

Praise him,

-mbr

Starting from verse 6 of chapter 12, After the people of Isreal asked Rehoboam to reduce the yoke at which his father used on them so that they will serve him better why did Rehoboam choosed to follow the young men's advice rather than the old men's advice

Rehoboam refused the advice of the elders and chose to add to the burdens of the people. Jeroboam took the other ten tribes and left. God allowed man to do what was in their heart. We can claim to be under God, but if don't know Him, or have no relationship with the Lord and chose to go our own way - evil will befall us.

From the top leadership down to the people themselves, they have forgotten the blessings from God. Many times we believe the blessings from the Lord is of our own doing and therefore forget to thank God and worship Him, or to call on the Lord.

We must keep ourselves near to God by confessing our sins, reading, meditating, praising, worshipping, praying, and remembering His continued goodness. Then we must teach the same to our children less we allow anything to slip. God bless our nation and our leadership. August 2021

The Lord searches hearts. He knows His sheep. Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life!!!

Verse 8-He chose to ignore the good counsel that he had received from the older men and instead he chose to listen to the bad advice of his peers. We need to carefully weigh any advice that we receive and think of the consequences.

What you're reading in 1 Kings 12:3-5,9, refers to mainly the high taxes that Solomon imposed upon the people. Even though we read in 2 Chronicles 8:7,8, that harsh taxes were imposed on those not of Israel that lived amongst them, we see that all of Israel suffered because of the taxes.

Solomon extracted taxes, goods & services from the people in various ways & these were done primarily for the building of the Temple (though, King David actually had already procured most of the materials for them), but also for the other buildings to house his many wives & concubines. He established twelve districts to sustain the king & his household each month through taxation ( 1 Kings 4:7); he conscripted labour from Israel ( 1 Kings 5:13-18); taxed merchants & trade ( 1 Kings 10:15); and received tribute from other nations ( 1 Kings 4:21).

And particularly for the common man, such high taxation became a heavy burden to bear, where some did their normal work during the day, then had to contribute their time after work in Solomon's building projects. So the people protested such burdens & appealed to Solomon's successor, Rehoboam to have pity on them. Rather, he raised the taxes even further causing Jeroboam to lead the people in revolt, hence the divisions of the Kingdoms (Judah & Israel): 1 Kings 12:16-27.

It's noteworthy, that Samuel much earlier prophesied about the inevitability of taxation & other demands ( 1 Sam 8:11-22) as the people demanded a king as the other nations had.

According to what I read in chapter 12 Solomon was a harsh king over Israel. Am I missing something here?

And Jeroboam said in his heart, Now shall the kingdom return to the house of David:"

At that moment in time, Jehovah GOD has blessed the nation people of Israel, and whether individually or collectively, they quickly forgot to keep the COMMANDMENTS of GOD. Never-the-less Jehovah GOD is in full control of the circumstance. 2019-2020, individually or collectively the world also has quickly forgot to keep the COMMANDMENTS of GOD. Never-the-less Jehovah GOD is in full control.

Verses 6,7~The older men offered wise counsel. Rehoboam disregarded their counsel and chose to listen to his peers. We don't want to quickly dismiss the advice of older ones because they have more experience in living life and they can be a great help to us.

Verse 2. If Rehoboam the son of Solomon had taking heed to this word of wisdom of his father he would have retained the whole kingdom of Israel. But Jeroboam the servant of Solomon seems to be wiser than this son, hence the kingdom was divided in two and a servant got larger portion of the tribes. Rehoboam’s response to the elders of Israel in I Kings 12:11 Causes his downfall and rejection.

Anyone who is desirous to serve God must bury his own personal ambition and let the will of God take over his own will. In order to wrestle the kingdom to himself permanently Jeroboam tried to shift the place of worship. It behooves us therefore to know the God we worship. If the people knew their God they will not worship golden calves ( image).

Peter; We are certainly in a time for searching of heart, and making account to God. The divisions are caused by many turning away from the holy commandments. "The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts...and they do not return to the LORD their God, nor seek him for all this."Where has NOT the Word of Jesus gone out in all the world?

Happening before our very eyes is what God said will happen to Solomon for his transgressions- his house and kingdom divided. This is a lesson for us all that we must stay at the centre of God's will all the time. He is a loving Father who is willing to forgive and wash us in His precious Blood but not one that tolerates daily wallowing in sin.

its awsome

this chapter fortells what happened under communism the communists invented a new religion like Jeroboam did to ensure loyalty to the new state

Never discuss your problem with those who can't solve them.In this Chp.1 King12:10-11, Rehoboam the son of Solomon became the king of Israel after the death of his father. The young men who grew with Rohoboam advised him wrongly and it cost Rohoboam his kingdom.

"THE WORD OF GOD",. THE WORD OF GOD IS "TRUE", JUST AS GOD HARDENED PHAROAH KING OF EGYPT'S HEART, HE HARDENED REHOBOAM'S HEART. GOD SAID, IT, AND THATS THE BOTTOM LINE. IT WILL COME TRUE. IF WE COULD JUST LEARN TO TRUST AND OBEY, FOR THERE IS RETRIBUTION BEHIND ALL OUR ACTIONS, IN THIS CHAPTER, WE SEE GOD'S WORD IS FULFILLED AS TOLD TO BOTH DAVID AND SOLOMON.
JEROBOAM, STILL YET SINNED, WHETHER EITHER TRYING TO HARD TO SEE THAT EVERYONE WORSHIPPED THE LORD OR JUST OUT OF STUPIDITY, IN MAKING THE BRONZE CALVES. SOMETIMES IN PLEASING THE LORD, WE NEED TO REMEMBER ONE THING, WE DO NOT HAVE PROPHETS, BUT WE DO HAVE HIS WORD, "THE BIBLE IS GOD'S WORD, GIVEN TO MAN", WE MUST TRUST AND FOLLOW IT, NOT ADDING NOR TAKING AWAY FROM IT.

I like it to be able to read the original text with which I am familiar.