Lesson eleven: Solomon’s son.

1. Read I Kings 12:1 – 2. Did Rehoboam appear to realize the Jeroboam was a political rival? What did Solomon do to his rivals at the beginning of his reign?

2. Read I Kings 12:3 – 4. What did Jeroboam and the people request? Do you think their request was justified (review chapter 5:27 – 32 and 9:20 – 21)? Do you think Jeroboam knew what the response would be? Was he likely to be popular with the people by taking there side, even if Rehoboam agreed to lighten the load? Who is the smarter politician of the two?

3. Read I Kings 12:5 – 8. What did the elders advise Rehoboam to say?

4. Read I Kings 12:9 – 11. What did his young friends advise him to say?

5. Read I Kings 12:12 – 14. What did he do?

6. Read I Kings 12:15 – 20. What were the consequences? How much of the kingdom did Rehoboam lose? Do you think Rehoboam had any idea that this could happen? Who was Adoram (II Samuel 20:24, I Kings 5:27-28)? Was he one of the Rehoboam’s young friends or one of the elders? Do you think the people liked Adoram? What did Rehoboam do immediately after they stoned Adoram? Judging from this, did Rehoboam have any idea that the people would react this way? Does Rehoboam appear to have had much prior experience in politics? Why didn’t Rehoboam send one of his young friends? Do you think he had realized that his young friends did not know what they were doing and he was desperate for help? Was it “to little, too late”? Did Solomon train him for his job very well?

7. How does all this compare to how Solomon responded to his father’s advice in I Kings chapter 2?

8. Read I Kings 12:21 – 24. What does Rehoboam try to do next? Is it successful? Did Rehoboam inquire of the Lord before starting out to do this? If Rehoboam enlisted you to fight in his army and then canceled the war, what would you think? Would you join the army the next time? Does Rehoboam plan things out very well? Do you think Rehoboam was used to getting whatever he wanted?