April 25, 2025 - 2 Chronicles 10-12

At the end of Solomon’s reign, things were not good in Israel.  Oh, it had all started out well enough with Solomon’s completion of the temple and his many other accomplishments.  But after forty years of a mixed story of good and bad (idolatry in particular), I think we should not be surprised at the events.  Furthermore, Solomon’s son, Rehoboam, demonstrated none of the wisdom for which his father is so famous.  The story of Rehoboam’s reign begins:  “Rehoboam went to Shechem, for all Israel had come to Shechem to make him king.  And as soon as Jeroboam the son of Nebat heard of it . . . he said, ‘Your father made our yoke heavy.  Now therefore lighten the hard service of your father and his heavy yoke on us, and we will serve you’” (10:1-5).  Rehoboam followed the counsel of his advisors and increased the yoke on the northern tribes with the result that they revolted and, now, there were two nations:  Israel in the north and Judah in the south.  Furthermore, “When the rule of Rehoboam was established and he was strong, he abandoned the law of the Lord, and all Israel with him.  In the fifth year of King Rehoboam, because they had been unfaithful to the Lord, Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem” (12:1-3) and captured much of Judah.  Not much wisdom displayed, here.  Certainly, not “like father like son.”  Wisdom is to fix our hearts firmly on Christ.

O happy day that fixed my choice

On Thee, my Savior and my God!

Well may this glowing heart rejoice,

And tell its raptures all abroad.

O happy bond, that seals my vows

To Him who merits all my love!

Let cheerful anthems fill His house,

While to that sacred shrine I move. [Refrain]

Now rest, my long-divided heart,

Fixed on this blissful center, rest;

Here have I found a nobler part,

Here heavenly pleasures fill my breast.   --Philip Doddridge (1755)