1 Ki. 14: Power Changes Hands

1 Kings 14:15 "And the LORD will strike Israel, so that it will be like a reed swaying in the water. He will uproot Israel from this good land that he gave to their forefathers and scatter them beyond the River, because they provoked the LORD to anger by making Asherah poles."

So both Jeroboam and Rehoboam turn out to be losers. They both led Israel into idolatry and polytheism. I probably shouldn't say "led." Probably reignited the polytheism in Israel. And how does God bring Jeroboam to the knowledge that his kingdom will be torn away, and his son will be the last in his line to be buried? Jeroboam's son falls ill, and he has his wife disguise herself to visit the prophet Ahijah. Why the disguise? Probably everyone knew the queen. Anyway, the LORD tells Ahijah she's coming, and gives him the words to say. Horrible, horrible words. Jeroboam's son is going to die as soon his wife gets home. Jeroboam knew what he was commanded to do. He didn't do it. And it cost him the kingdom. And it wasn't just not doing what he was told. The prophet tells him that he did more evil than any of his predecessors.

And the punishment isn't limited to just Jeroboam, all of Israel will be uprooted and scattered. This isn't God breaking a promise. It's God keeping a promise. It was the "Conditionally Promised Land." After 22 years of Jeroboam's reign, his son Nadab assumed the throne. Nadab...I've heard that name before. Ah yes, uh-oh.

Rehoboam's story isn't much better. Idolatry, Asherah poles, etc. Invasion by the Egyptians, who came in and took all the stuff out of the temple. They stole all the holy things. Even Solomon's gold shields from the Forest of Lebanon. To see how far Israel fell, the shields were replaced by bronze. Remember when silver was of no use to Solomon? Well now bronze is the replacement. And it wasn't even allowed to be decoration only. They were forced to be functional for the guards. Amazing. After Rehoboam's 17 year reign in Judah, his son Abijah takes over. Yes, I know Jeroboam's son was named Abijah, too. Different guys, apparently. Hopefully.