Solomon had lots of children, some of godly wives following Jehovah and other wives who served false gods. Rehoboam was the heir to the throne when Solomon died but his kingship was challenged and the kingdom was divided with ten of the twelve tribes following Jeroboam. God warned Rehoboam against warring against these tribes and counseled him to be faithful with the remaining tribes centered in Jerusalem. The splinter tribes soon established their own priesthood and sacrificial system and drove the faithful-to-God priests out of their territories.
Rehoboam sought to consolidate his reign by placing his multitude of sons in key positions throughout the region.
But, Rehoboam missed what was most important.
When the rule of Rehoboam was established and he was strong, he abandoned the law of the Lᴏʀᴅ, and all Israel with him. 1
And he did evil, for he did not set his heart to seek the Lᴏʀᴅ. 2
This son of Solomon’s fatal mistake was not being humble enough to seek the Lᴏʀᴅ, instead going after the wisdom of his own generation and ‘did it my way’ without the Lᴏʀᴅ. How often in the kingly successions of both Judah and Israel we will see this tragic pattern of ‘going their own way’ with devastating results.
Aren’t you thankful you have set your heart to seek the Lᴏʀᴅ above all else. Amen