The Daily Fountain Devotional of the Church Of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 6 November 2026 – God Does Not Make Empty Threats
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TOPIC – God Does Not Make Empty Threats
READ: 1 Kings 11:26-39
26 And Jeroboam the son of Nebat, an Ephrathite of Zereda, Solomon’s servant, whose mother’s name was Zeruah, a widow woman, even he lifted up his hand against the king.
27 And this was the cause that he lifted up his hand against the king: Solomon built Millo, and repaired the breaches of the city of David his father.
28 And the man Jeroboam was a mighty man of valour: and Solomon seeing the young man that he was industrious, he made him ruler over all the charge of the house of Joseph.
29 And it came to pass at that time when Jeroboam went out of Jerusalem, that the prophet Ahijah the Shilonite found him in the way; and he had clad himself with a new garment; and they two were alone in the field:
30 And Ahijah caught the new garment that was on him, and rent it in twelve pieces:
31 And he said to Jeroboam, Take thee ten pieces: for thus saith the Lord, the God of Israel, Behold, I will rend the kingdom out of the hand of Solomon, and will give ten tribes to thee:
32 (But he shall have one tribe for my servant David’s sake, and for Jerusalem’s sake, the city which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel:)
33 Because that they have forsaken me, and have worshipped Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, Chemosh the god of the Moabites, and Milcom the god of the children of Ammon, and have not walked in my ways, to do that which is right in mine eyes, and to keep my statutes and my judgments, as did David his father.
34 Howbeit I will not take the whole kingdom out of his hand: but I will make him prince all the days of his life for David my servant’s sake, whom I chose, because he kept my commandments and my statutes:
35 But I will take the kingdom out of his son’s hand, and will give it unto thee, even ten tribes.
36 And unto his son will I give one tribe, that David my servant may have a light alway before me in Jerusalem, the city which I have chosen me to put my name there.
37 And I will take thee, and thou shalt reign according to all that thy soul desireth, and shalt be king over Israel.
38 And it shall be, if thou wilt hearken unto all that I command thee, and wilt walk in my ways, and do that is right in my sight, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as David my servant did; that I will be with thee, and build thee a sure house, as I built for David, and will give Israel unto thee.
39 And I will for this afflict the seed of David, but not for ever.
THE MESSAGE:
Sin is rebellion against God. “I am going to do this because Solomon has rejected Me and worshipped foreign gods” (v. 33; GNB). And rebellion against God will provoke rebellion from men. We can’t command authority when we are not under authority. Solomon forgot that the loyalty of men to his leadership was simply the making of God. Sometimes, leaders don’t know that true followership is a gift from God, not their own making or power. So, as part of the consequences of Solomon’s disobedience and rebellion against God, a revolt against his leadership broke out.
As the leadership of Solomon continued to come under attack, God moved to perform His judgement against Solomon. He sent prophet Ahijah to announce to Jeroboam His intention to take the kingdom away from Solomon and give ten tribes to him, leaving Solomon with one tribe, for David’s sake and for Jerusalem’s sake (vv. 29-32). God gave Jeroboam this great offer and presented to him the terms and conditions: I will make you king of Israel, and you will rule over all the territory if you obey Me completely, and live by my laws and commands. God does not make empty threats and promises, so we must tread with care and holy fear. We must avoid over familiarity with God! It is very dangerous to look down on God’s instructions and commands. Be warned!
PRAYER:
Dear Father, help me not to look down on your commands and instructions.
