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