Session 19 | Epilogue: Rehoboam’s Failure | Proverbs: Wisdom Unveiled

Download these notes here: https://humble-sidecar-837.notion.site/Session-19-Epilogue-Rehoboam-s-Failure-Proverbs-Wisdom-Unveiled-21eb35a87d638046970bdb27e7ecf9a0?source=copy_link

I. Introduction: The Intended Audience

A. “My Son” – Proverbs as Royal Curriculum

• Repeated direct address: “my son” (Prov. 1:8; 3:1; 4:1)

• The intended heir: Rehoboam, son of Solomon (1 Kings 14:21)

• Proverbs’ stated goal:

  “To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion.” (Prov. 1:4–5)

• Proverbs is practical Torah guidance for the king:

  • Follow Proverbs → follow Torah → receive Torah’s blessings
  • Proverbs as condensed form of Torah’s promises and commands

B. Who Was Rehoboam?

• Son of Solomon and Naamah the Ammonitess (1 Kings 14:21)
• Crowned king at age 41, a mature adult
• Solomon’s uncertainty about successor (Ecclesiastes 2:18–19)
• Reigned 17 years in Jerusalem over Judah (1 Kings 14:21)
  • Oversaw kingdom division, continuous civil war (1 Kings 14:30)

II. Rehoboam’s Rise and First Test: A Crisis in Leadership (1 Kings 12:1–20; 2 Chronicles 10)

A. The People’s Appeal: A Call for Relief

• Israel’s request: lighten heavy burdens (1 Kings 12:4)

• Solomon’s demanding reign: forced labor, heavy taxation (1 Kings 4:7–28; 5:13–18)

• Samuel’s earlier warning of royal burdens (1 Samuel 8:11–18)

• Relevant proverb:

  “Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it.” (Prov. 3:27–28)

B. Rehoboam’s Counsel

• Elders advised gentle service:

  “If thou wilt be a servant unto this people…they will be thy servants for ever.” (1 Kings 12:7)

  • Proverbs connection:

    “A soft answer turneth away wrath.” (Prov. 15:1)

• Young men advised harsh dominance:

  “My little finger shall be thicker than my father’s loins… I will chastise you with scorpions.” (1 Kings 12:10–11)

  • Proverbs warning:

    “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes.” (Prov. 12:15)

C. His Decision: Rejecting the Wisdom of the Wise

• Rehoboam answered roughly and arrogantly (1 Kings 12:13–14)

• Violated direct proverb:

  “Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.” (Prov. 16:18)

A Word Already in Motion: Understanding the Prophecy

• Prophecy of division given to Solomon (1 Kings 11:11–13)
• Ahijah’s prophecy about Jeroboam’s rise (1 Kings 11:29–39)
• Prophecy as recognition of trajectory already underway:
  • Solomon’s idolatry and heavy burdens (1 Kings 11:4–8)
  • Prophecy not deterministic but descriptive

III. Fallout: The Kingdom Splits – A Foolish Son Brings Ruin

A. Ten Tribes Rebel

• Northern tribes reject Rehoboam’s rule (1 Kings 12:16)

• Only Judah and Benjamin remain loyal

• Proverb fulfilled:

  “Where no counsel is, the people fall.” (Prov. 11:14)

B. Attempt to Retaliate

• Rehoboam assembled 180,000 soldiers to fight Israel (1 Kings 12:21)

• Intervention by prophet Shemaiah prevented war (1 Kings 12:22–24)

• Proverbs counsel ignored initially:

  “Every purpose is established by counsel: and with good advice make war.” (Prov. 20:18)

IV. Rehoboam’s Reign: A Life of Half-Heartedness

A. Spiritual Decline

• Rehoboam forsook God’s law after strengthening his position (2 Chron. 12:1)

• Direct contrast with Solomon’s teaching:

  “My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments.” (Prov. 3:1)

B. Invasion of Shishak (Egypt)

• Egyptian invasion as divine consequence (2 Chron. 12:2–4)
• Temple treasures and golden shields seized (2 Chron. 12:9)
• Loss symbolized God’s removed favor and royal dishonor

C. Superficial Repentance

• Temporary humility after invasion (2 Chron. 12:6–12)

• Legacy summarized negatively:

  “He did evil, because he prepared not his heart to seek the Lord.” (2 Chron. 12:14)

• Violation of Proverbs warning:

  “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” (Prov. 4:23)

V. Lessons from Rehoboam: What Happens When a Son Ignores Wisdom

A. A Tragic Illustration of Proverbs

• Rehoboam’s life as practical caution against ignoring instruction

• Key Proverbs illustrating his failure:

  “He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul.” (Prov. 15:32)

  “The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.” (Prov. 29:15)

B. A Broken House, A Divided Nation

• United kingdom shattered permanently
• Judah survived, northern tribes (Israel) fell into idolatry and destruction
• Division directly linked to Rehoboam’s disregard of Proverbs-based instruction from Solomon