Session 4 1 Kings 12:6-19
listen for the events following Rehoboam’s arrogant response to the people’s request.
16 When all Israel saw that the king had not listened to them,
the people answered him:
What portion do we have in David? We have no inheritance in the son of Jesse.
Israel, return to your tents;
David, now look after your own house!
So Israel went to their tents,
17 but Rehoboam reigned over the Israelites living in the cities of Judah.
18 Then King Rehoboam sent Adoram, who was in charge of forced labor,
but all Israel stoned him to death.
King Rehoboam managed to get into the chariot and flee to Jerusalem.
19 Israel is still in rebellion against the house of David today.
Highlight the words “the king did not listen to them”
in verse 16 and lead the group to discuss
why listening is important in the decision-making process.
Ask: <.ul>
Refer to Pack Item 1 (Map: The Kingdoms of Israel and Judah)
to explain that what happened in verses 16-19
was the actual dividing of the kingdom into Israel and Judah.
We find a condemning description of Rehoboam in 2 Chronicles 12:14,
with the words,
“Rehoboam did what was evil,
because he did not determine in his heart to seek the Lord.”
Invite a volunteer to read aloud the Summary Statements under Apply the Text (p. 40).
Ask:
Lead the group to discuss the second question set from page 39.
Stress that we want to be wise in our decisions,
depending on God for guidance.
Instruct the group to read and write a private response to the third question set in their book.
Close in prayer,
asking God to direct in the decisions we face each day.
Pray that God will lead to wise counselors when we need to hear their godly advice.
Reinforce the session by examining your own life, asking yourself “who are the wise counselors in my life?” Contact the group through email or text, asking them to consider who their wise counselors are – encourage them to be sure they have people like this to turn to when facing important decisions.