Read: 2 Chronicles 11:1-13:22; Romans 8:22-39; Psalm 18:37-50; Proverbs 19:27-29
The nation had split and Judah and Benjamin were all that was left of Solomon’s kingdom which was ruled by his son Rehoboam. The other tribes were ruled by Solomon’s servant, Jeroboam. The first thing king Rehoboam wanted to do was to defeat Jeroboam. As he was about to do this God sent the prophet Shemaiah to tell the not to march against Jeroboam. The prophet said that this split was of Him, so Rehoboam obeyed. Instead, he went home and greatly fortified what territory he had left by building up towns of defense. The Levites sided with Rehoboam because Jerusalem was in Judah. They left their homes which were all over Israel to come and live in Jerusalem. Jeroboam had rejected them as priests. When Jeroboam noticed his people traveling to Jerusalem to cerebrate the feasts he became insecure. He was afraid that if they traveled to Jerusalem to worship, they would decide to stay so he raised up two golden calves and told the people that whoever brought a young bull and seven rams they could become a priest.
In the meantime, Rehoboam married two wives and built up a heritage of children. He took his sons and dispersed them throughout Judah to serve him thus establishing his kingdom. Once it was established, he and all Judah became unfaithful to the Lord. Shishak, king of Egypt came with a host of warriors and captured all of Rehoboam’s fortified cities and made it as far as Jerusalem. Rehoboam and his leaders cried out to the Lord and God said that he would spare them from Shishak but they would serve him and see the difference of serving God as their king and another king. Shishak carried off the treasures of the temple and the gold shields Solomon had made. Shishak had taken down all of Rehoboam’s self-defense - his fortified cities and now his shields. That is what the devil does when we let down our defense. He takes it all away.
Rehoboam died after ruling Jerusalem for 17 years and his son, Abijah ruled Judah.
Jeroboam and Abijah went to battle. Jeroboam surrounded Abidja’s men but God came to Abijah’s defense when they cried out to the Lord and blew their trumpets. They even restored the towns of Bethel, Jeshanah and Ephron from Israel and grew in strength.
In Romans we read that we have been chosen from the foundation of the earth to walk as God’s children. God gives us his Spirit to help us in all our weaknesses so that we can be more than conquerors in this life. Nothing can separate us from God’s love and his Spirit.
Lord, help us to walk in power and confidence in You. May our nation worship You and be blessed.
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