Read: 1 Kings 11:1-12:19; Acts 9:1-25; Psalm 131:1-3; Proverbs 17:4-5
Solomon did not obey the Lord and do what he had commanded. Israelites were not to intermarry with the nations they had driven out of the land, but Solomon did. By marrying them he was making a covenant with their people and their gods. He allowed them to bring in their gods and even built temples for their gods and worshipped them, himself. God was not pleased with Solomon and told him that because he had done this, his kingdom would be taken away from his son and given to one more worthy. His family would keep two tribes because of David’s loyalty, but the rest of Israel would leave.
This is exactly what happened when Solomon died. His son Rehoboam came to power and in one speech, lost ten tribes. God had been working behind the scenes for years setting up people where they needed to be. He rose up two adversaries to Solomon who opposed his kingdom and one of them was Hadad from the palace of Edom and the other was Rezon from Zobah. Both of them caused Solomon trouble during his reign. But a more personal enemy was Jereboam who had been one of Solomon’s trusted officials in charge of the whole labor force. It was prophesied of him that he would reign over the eleven tribes.
In Acts, Saul was on a tirade to rid the earth of Christians. He left Jerusalem with papers from the synagogue giving him permission to kill any believers in Jesus. On the way, he was blinded by a light and heard God’s audible voice . He told him he was persecuting the Lord. This was revelation since Saul thought he was persecuting for the Lord. God told him to go to Damascus and then he would be told what to do next.
Saul was led by his men to the city and stayed there blind and fasting for three days. God spoke to Ananias to go to the house of Judas on Strait Street and ask for Saul of Tarsus. He was to pray for him to receive his sight. All Christians had heard of Saul of Tarsus and were terrified of him. God assured Ananias that this was not a set up for him but for Saul. Saul had been chosen by God to take his gospel to the Gentiles. Ananias obeyed and when he laid his hands on his eyes and prayed for him, Saul was healed and could see.
Convincing Ananias was one thing, but convincing the other Jews that the man they feared the most was now one of them was a little more difficult. They decided to kill Saul at night but Saul learned of their plan and escaped through the city wall in a basket.
Satan might have taken one of God’s best, Stephen, but God repaid him when he rescued Saul out of Satan’s kingdom.
If there is one thing you can see through reading the whole Bible it is that God is in total control of everything. He can raise up men over night and put them down just as quickly. If we are his children, we need never be afraid.
Lord, thank you that you do everything for the good of your people and your kingdom. Help us to trust you in the everyday things of our lives as well as the large things in this world.
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