9:8 - We all need to ask ourselves, "Is this how people see us?" Talk about a challenge! Because of the wisdom of Solomon, the Queen of Sheba praises God. When people come in contact with us, do they thank God? Are we living out a lifestyle as God-followers that is so different that people are drawn to God?
10: 4 and 7 - The people are not asking for anything absurd - they are asking for a little bit of a break. They are asking Rehoboam to take his foot off the gas a little. The older advisers know that if the new king is willing to do this, he will have the people's hearts forever. New leaders cannot come in and assume that they can leader with the same authority as the leader before them...they have to earn the respect of the people who follow them before they can really start pushing. Unfortunately, Rehoboam decides to go to the other extreme and push the people mercilessly.
10:15 - This is the culmination of the prophecy that comes from I Kings Chapter 11.
11:14 and 15 - The people of Israel who rebel against the harsh rule of the king have every right to do that. He is being unjust and the text doesn't ever mention that they are wrong for doing so. Unfortunately, the rebels decide to get a little bit crazy. They kick the priesthood out of their territory and start worshipping golden calves and goat demons. That is what is known as the fast track to bringing God's wrath upon you! It is not their political rebellion that gets them in trouble, but their spiritual rebellion.
11:21 - Duet 17:17 clearly shows us that God does not approve of polygamy in His kings (or His people for that matter), but we can see that have a multitude of wives has become commonplace for the kings of Israel. The really tragic nature of polygamous families in the bible is that the husbands always pick a favorite. A favorite wife...a favorite child...and then the jealousies start to pie up and the in fighting and pretty soon all chaos is breaking loose.
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