Monday, September 25, 2023

Today’s Scripture Reading
1 Kings 12:1–20

Rehoboam went to Shechem, for all Israel had come to Shechem to make him king. When Jeroboam son of Nebat heard of it (for he was still in Egypt, where he had fled from King Solomon), then Jeroboam returned from Egypt. And they sent and called him; and Jeroboam and all the assembly of Israel came and said to Rehoboam, “Your father made our yoke heavy. Now therefore lighten the hard service of your father and his heavy yoke that he placed on us, and we will serve you.” He said to them, “Go away for three days, then come again to me.” So the people went away. Then King Rehoboam took counsel with the older men who had attended his father Solomon while he was still alive, saying, “How do you advise me to answer this people?” They answered him, “If you will be a servant to this people today and serve them, and speak good words to them when you answer them, then they will be your servants forever.” But he disregarded the advice that the older men gave him, and consulted with the young men who had grown up with him and now attended him. He said to them, “What do you advise that we answer this people who have said to me, ‘Lighten the yoke that your father put on us’?” The young men who had grown up with him said to him, “Thus you should say to this people who spoke to you, ‘Your father made our yoke heavy, but you must lighten it for us’; thus you should say to them, ‘My little finger is thicker than my father’s loins. Now, whereas my father laid on you a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke. My father disciplined you with whips, but I will discipline you with scorpions.’” So Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam the third day, as the king had said, “Come to me again the third day.” The king answered the people harshly. He disregarded the advice that the older men had given him and spoke to them according to the advice of the young men, “My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add to your yoke; my father disciplined you with whips, but I will discipline you with scorpions.” So the king did not listen to the people, because it was a turn of affairs brought about by the Lord that he might fulfill his word, which the Lord had spoken by Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam son of Nebat.

When all Israel saw that the king would not listen to them, the people answered the king, “What share do we have in David? We have no inheritance in the son of Jesse. To your tents, O Israel! Look now to your own house, O David.” So Israel went away to their tents. But Rehoboam reigned over the Israelites who were living in the towns of Judah. When King Rehoboam sent Adoram, who was taskmaster over the forced labor, all Israel stoned him to death. King Rehoboam then hurriedly mounted his chariot to flee to Jerusalem. So Israel has been in rebellion against the house of David to this day. When all Israel heard that Jeroboam had returned, they sent and called him to the assembly and made him king over all Israel. There was no one who followed the house of David, except the tribe of Judah alone. (NRSV)

Reflection
1 Kings 12 is a story about power, oppression, rivalry, and division. The chapter begins with Rehoboam, son of Solomon, becoming king over Israel. Remember, at one point the whole of Israel prayed to God to send them a king so they could have an earthly ruler, which would allow them to be more like the nations around them. In their naivete, the Israelites thought all would be well for them and they would become a force upon the earth as God had chosen them to be.

What they did not comprehend was how power can corrupt even the greatest of individuals and how the oppressed, when given absolute power, can become the oppressor. Power can become a breeding ground for sibling rivalry and division among neighbors; it can become an addiction that rules over one’s entire being, like a thirst that cannot be quenched.

When challenged, Rehoboam, the new king, seeks counsel from his advisors but does not listen to them, because what they say is not what he wants to hear. Instead, he continues to seek advice until he hears what he wants — until he hears how he can become more powerful and move vindictive to remain in power.

Hmm, this hit a bit close to home. How often do I continue to rehash something (someone) that has hurt me? I keep telling the story of the wrong until I hear what I long to hear — I am right, and the other person is wrong! Yes, my hubris rears its ugly head, and I forget to live as Jesus lived and love as Jesus loved.

This is who I am called to be and how I am tasked to live to bring the kingdom of God to earth. This is how all of us are called to live: love one another as Jesus loves us.

Prayer
Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me,

Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me,

Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.

Amen.

Written by Annette Mileski, Center for Life and Learning Director

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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