King in Conflict

By God's grace, Christians can learn from kings and servants alike.  We don't need to be a king or even in a position of authority to observe their lives, aim to emulate their wise decisions, and avoid their foolish ones.  Many kings who began their reigns well by faith in God did not finish their lives strong, and this ought to motivate us to succeed where they failed by increasing dependence on God.  Kings of old cannot go back and change their decisions, but we can make considerable effort to order our future steps according to God's word in His service.

Jeroboam was a man described as an industrious and ambitious worker who got things done, and Solomon promoted him to a position of leadership.  It was then a prophet of God Ahijah came to Jeroboam, and he revealed by the word of the LORD God would take away 10 tribes from Solomon and give them to Jeroboam.  The prophet also explained why God would do this in 1 Kings 11:33:  "...because they have forsaken Me, and worshiped Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, Chemosh the god of the Moabites, and Milcom the god of the people of Ammon, and have not walked in My ways to do what is right in My eyes and keep My statutes and My judgments, as did his father David."  Because Solomon had been unfaithful to God and embraced idolatry, God would rend a large portion of the kingdom from the house of David.  One would think seeing this clear cause and effect would make a serious impression upon Jeroboam to avoid the pitfalls of idolatry--seeing the disaster it brought upon Israel and Solomon's house.

Through Ahijah, God also made a promise to Jeroboam in 1 Kings 11:38:  "Then it shall be, if you heed all that I command you, walk in My ways, and do what is right in My sight, to keep My statutes and My commandments, as My servant David did, then I will be with you and build for you an enduring house, as I built for David, and will give Israel to you."  Over the course of time the word of God came to pass, and Jeroboam was made king over the 10 tribes of Israel referred to as the northern kingdom.  Being a receiver of God's blessings and fulfilled promises did not impart faith in God to Jeroboam.  Though he was made king by God's sovereign choice and grace, he felt the kingdom would slip from his grasp if the people continued to worship God at the temple in Jerusalem.  1 Kings 12:26-27 reads, "And Jeroboam said in his heart, "Now the kingdom may return to the house of David: ²⁷ if these people go up to offer sacrifices in the house of the LORD at Jerusalem, then the heart of this people will turn back to their lord, Rehoboam king of Judah, and they will kill me and go back to Rehoboam king of Judah."  Lack of faith in God and His promise led to Jeroboam fearing he would lose his kingdom and his life!  This unbelief led him to do the unthinkable.

Jeroboam sought counsel--not of God but with men he trusted--and he set up idols in Bethel and Dan as more convenient places to worship the God of Israel.  He appointed whomever he desired to be priests at these shrines (including himself) and led the people into grave sin (1 Kings 14:3).  Though God sent a prophet to warn Jeroboam judgment from God was coming for his sins, he did not repent or cease his abominable practices.  There came a time when his son was sick, and what did Jeroboam do?  He directed his wife to go to Ahijah the prophet of God, the same man who accurately foretold he would be made king.  Jeroboam had all confidence the prophet would speak the truth concerning his ill son.  Unbelief blinded Jeroboam to his hypocrisy of effort to worship the God of Israel according to the dictates of his own heart rather than by obedience to God.  Fear and anxiety about his future and that of his son brought him into conflict with God only stern judgment would resolve.

Proverbs 31:3 says, "Do not give your strength to women, nor your ways to that which destroys kings."  The Bible is full of examples of ways kings destroyed themselves:  King Saul was lifted up with pride, Solomon's heart was led astray by his many wives and he was ensnared in idolatry, and Jeroboam was stricken with unbelief and worry.  Kings destroyed themselves with alcohol, disobedience to God, by foolish wars, seeking counsel of men and ignoring God's wisdom, by choosing what seemed expedient or convenient rather than reliance upon God.  Kings who enjoyed peace and prosperity for a long season were thrust into terrible conflicts with many adversaries because they departed from the LORD who chose and called them to be king.  God who gives kingdoms can also take them away, and let not our receiving of good things from God deter us from seeking, trusting and relying upon Him always.  Jesus is our peace, and a life built by faith in Him will endure and enjoy His eternal kingdom.