What was the name, and who was the mother of Solomon's only son, his successor? ch. 14.21.
What was his age at the time to which this history refers ? ch. 14. 21.
Did the people seem disposed to recognise his right of succession to the throne, and where. did they convene for this purpose?
Why did they not assemble at Jerusalem, the royal city? N. B. This was no doubt a stroke of policy designed to prevent the tribe of Judah from exercising undue influence in the transaction. A jealousy had long been growing up between them.
Who was called in from abroad by the people on this occasion?
What representation did they make to Rehoboam, and what did they inquire of him?
Does the previous account of Solomon's reign furnish any evidence that this was well founded?
Do they make any complaint of idolatry, or of the low state in which religion was probably left at his death?
Was it highly impolitic in Rehoboam to appear to deliberate in so plain a case, and to propose the delay he did?
With whom did he take counsel, and what advice did they give him?
Ought public rulers, whether sacred or civil, to consider themselves rather the servants than the lords, of their people. N. B. The legitimate design of all governments is, to be organs of the will of the community which is presupposed to accord with the will of God.
Did he follow the counsel of the Elders, to whom did he resort for better, and what advice did they give him?
How did he answer the representatives at the time appointed?
Is Rehoboam, on account of this foolish conduct, in effect said to have been a child, though upwards of forty years of age? 2 Chron. 18. 7.
Does true wisdom, on the other hand, confer the honor of age upon youth itself? Gen.45.8.
What does the sacred writer say was the reason that the king hearkened not to the demands of the people, and how is this to be understood?
What was the consequence of Rehoboam's infatuated counsels?
Was this a rash resolve on the part of the people, and evincing great disregard to the memory of David?
Did Rehoboam on the whole do better than was to have been expected? 2 Chron. 11. 11—17.
Did this fact show to them, as it does to us, the folly, as well as the frequent danger, of precipitate vows and resolutions?
What is this revolt usually called, and how correctly? N. B. That of the ten tribes; although the language is not perfectly correct, as nearly the whole of three tribes, ' Judah, Benjamin, and Simeon, adhered to the house of David. Ephraim and Manasseh after the revolt were usually reckoned as two tribes which made up the ten ; and the name Ephraim sometimes stands for the whole ten, as in the prophecy of Hosea.—Some have supposed that this unhappy rent in the kingdom was typical of the division of the Christian world into various sects and denominations.
To whom did those of the ten tribes dwelling in the cities of Judah, adhere? v. 17.
Was this number speedily increased to a very considerable extent, and from what cause? 2 Chron. 13. 11—17.
What unfortunate event occurred that hastened Rehoboam suddenly back to Jerusalem?
What course did the revolted tribes then pursue, and how does Hosea speak of their proceeding? Hos. 8. 4,
What measures did Rehoboam adopt to recover the remaining tribes, and how was the scheme defeated?
Did he and the people submit to the message in a very becoming manner?
How did Rehoboam proceed to strengthen his kingdom against future invasions? 2 Chron. 11.5—11.
What similar precautions were taken by Jeroboam?
What were Jeroboam's thoughts respecting the possible future defection of his people, and what wicked policy did he adopt to prevent it?
Is it to be supposed that he actually intended the worship of the calves, or of the true God through them? N. B. Probably the latter.; so that his sin consisted more directly in a breach of the second commandment than the first. His residence in Egypt where the Deity was worshipped in the form of an ox, may have suggested this particular form of his idolatry, although some have supposed it might have been in imitation of one of the features or parts of the Cherubims, and if the truth could be known we should not be surprised to find that the idols of Egypt itself originated from the same source; that is, from the traditional records of the Cherubims placed at the gate of the garden of Eden "to keep the way of the tree of life."
Where did he set up this vile idolatry, and how long did it continue? Ans. To the time of the Assyrian captivity.
Had either of these places been made a place of image-worship long before? Judg. 18.30.
Is it always dangerous to seek safety and prosperity by means which God's word condemns ?
Did this step become a great snare to Israel? 2 King 17. 16.
What other measures did Jeroboam adopt in the establishment of his idolatrous worship directly contrary to divine appointment?
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