“And it came to pass, when all Israel heard that Jeroboam was come again, that they sent and called him unto the congregation, and made him king over all Israel: there was none that followed the house of David, but the tribe of Judah only.”
Jeroboam’s Return:The verse states that when the news of Jeroboam’s return spread throughout Israel, the people sent for him and made him king over all Israel. Jeroboam had previously been an official of King Solomon, but due to Solomon’s disobedience, God had promised to divide the kingdom and give ten tribes to Jeroboam (1 Kings 11:29-39).
The House of David:The verse mentions that “there was none that followed the house of David, but the tribe of Judah only.” This means that after the division, only the tribe of Judah remained loyal to the descendants of King David. The other ten tribes, which comprised the kingdom of Israel, no longer recognized the authority of the House of David:
Fulfillment of God’s Word:The division of the kingdom and the rise of Jeroboam as king fulfilled the prophecy given to Jeroboam by the prophet Ahijah (1 Kings 11:29-39). God had chosen Jeroboam to be king over ten tribes and had promised to establish a dynasty for him if he walked in God’s ways. However, Jeroboam later succumbed to fear and led Israel into idolatry, leading to severe consequences for the nation.
Lessons and Applications:
- God’s sovereign plans:The division of the kingdom of Israel shows God’s sovereignty and His ability to work through human actions to fulfill His purposes.
- Consequences of disobedience:Solomon’s disobedience and idolatry led to the division of the kingdom. It serves as a reminder that our actions have consequences and can impact not only our lives but also the lives of others.
- God’s faithfulness and warnings:God warned Jeroboam about the consequences of his future actions, but sadly, Jeroboam failed to remain faithful to God. It teaches us the importance of heeding God’s warnings and remaining obedient to His commands.
Overall, 1 Kings 12:20 highlights the fulfillment of God’s prophecy, the division of the kingdom, and the consequences of disobedience. It serves as a reminder to stay faithful to God and heed His warnings.
