Sermon Bible And Rehoboam went to Shechem: for to Shechem were all Israel come to make him king. 2 Chronicles 10:7 (with 2 Chronicles 10:11) This incident illustrates the two modes of treating men—the conciliatory and the unconciliatory. The principle applies to all men in some of the relations of life; and the question is, What is the true, and consequently the safe, basis of all government? I. Social positions are graduated. The strong man will of necessity sooner or later go to the front and claim the influence which belongs of right to his powers, and the weak man will be left at the point which exhausts his strength. Democracy does not equalize men. Universal suffrage would not mean universal equality. II. Though social positions are graduated, yet no elevation of rank gives one man the right to tyrannise over another. Tyranny is necessarily associated with littleness of nature, littleness somewhere; there may be many great qualities, but the nature as a whole is of a low type. The maintenance of a conciliatory policy is quite consistent with (1) headship; (2) firmness; (3) justice. What is the cure of all false relations among men? The Gospel of reconciliation. That includes everything. To all those who have to work among men it is important to remember the two methods, conciliation and tyranny. Parker, Pulpit Analyst, vol. ii., p. 452. References: 2 Chronicles 1:10.—Clergyman's Magazine, vol. ix., p. 18. 2 Chronicles 2:11.—Spurgeon, My Sermon Notes: Genesis to Proverbs, p. 99. 2 Chronicles 5:13-14, and 2 Chronicles 7:1-3.—Ibid., Sermons, vol. vii., Nos. 375-378. 2 Chronicles 6:18.—Christian World Pulpit, vol. viii., p. 165; W. Jay, Thursday Penny Pulpit, vol. v., p. 265. 2 Chronicles 6:28, 2 Chronicles 6:30.—J. Keble, Sermons for the Christian Year: Septuagesima to Ash Wednesday, p. 372. 2 Chronicles 6:34, 2 Chronicles 6:35.—H. B. Moffat, The Pulpit, vol. iv., p. 313. 2 Chronicles 9:17-19.—J. M. Neale, Sermons for the Church Year, vol. ii., p. 274. 2 Chronicles 10:4, 2 Chronicles 10:13, 2 Chronicles 10:19.—W. Bishop, Christian World Pulpit, vol. xxx., p. 45. 2 Chronicles 10:8There were two things that contributed specially to make the life of Rehoboam a failure. I. He was brought up in the lap of luxury, and that is not good for any man. Had Solomon's son been brought up less luxuriously, had he known something in his early days of real hard work, had he met with difficulties and rebuffs such as fall to the lot of many, he might have turned out a more sensible and successful man. II. He refused the advice of men who were older and wiser than himself. Evil companionship proved his destruction. We take the colour of the society we keep, as the frogs of Ceylon do that of the leaf on which they sit. Be slow to form your friendships. Endeavour first to take the measure of every man who courts your company. J. Thain Davidson, Forewarned—Forearmed, p. 33. And it came to pass, when Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who was in Egypt, whither he had fled from the presence of Solomon the king, heard it, that Jeroboam returned out of Egypt.
And they sent and called him. So Jeroboam and all Israel came and spake to Rehoboam, saying,
Thy father made our yoke grievous: now therefore ease thou somewhat the grievous servitude of thy father, and his heavy yoke that he put upon us, and we will serve thee.
And he said unto them, Come again unto me after three days. And the people departed.
And king Rehoboam took counsel with the old men that had stood before Solomon his father while he yet lived, saying, What counsel give ye me to return answer to this people?
And they spake unto him, saying, If thou be kind to this people, and please them, and speak good words to them, they will be thy servants for ever.
But he forsook the counsel which the old men gave him, and took counsel with the young men that were brought up with him, that stood before him.
And he said unto them, What advice give ye that we may return answer to this people, which have spoken to me, saying, Ease somewhat the yoke that thy father did put upon us?
And the young men that were brought up with him spake unto him, saying, Thus shalt thou answer the people that spake unto thee, saying, Thy father made our yoke heavy, but make thou it somewhat lighter for us; thus shalt thou say unto them, My little finger shall be thicker than my father's loins.
For whereas my father put a heavy yoke upon you, I will put more to your yoke: my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.
So Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam on the third day, as the king bade, saying, Come again to me on the third day.
And the king answered them roughly; and king Rehoboam forsook the counsel of the old men,
And answered them after the advice of the young men, saying, My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add thereto: my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.
So the king hearkened not unto the people: for the cause was of God, that the LORD might perform his word, which he spake by the hand of Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam the son of Nebat.
And when all Israel saw that the king would not hearken unto them, the people answered the king, saying, What portion have we in David? and we have none inheritance in the son of Jesse: every man to your tents, O Israel: and now, David, see to thine own house. So all Israel went to their tents.
But as for the children of Israel that dwelt in the cities of Judah, Rehoboam reigned over them.
Then king Rehoboam sent Hadoram that was over the tribute; and the children of Israel stoned him with stones, that he died. But king Rehoboam made speed to get him up to his chariot, to flee to Jerusalem.
And Israel rebelled against the house of David unto this day. William Robertson Nicoll's Sermon Bible Text Courtesy of BibleSupport.com. Used by Permission. Bible Hub |
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