Topic: Repercussion of Sin [Monday June 8, 2015]
Text: 1 Kings 11:26-43
Key Verse: “Because that they have forsaken me, and have worshipped Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians… 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” (1 Kings 11:33).
The tragedy of Solomon, David’s son, was appalling. Though he started well, he later allowed strange women to lure his heart away from God. He led Israelites to worship Ashtoreth, goddess of the Zidonians; Chemosh, god of the Moabites; and Milcom, god of the children of Ammon. He completely forsook God and walked in the opposite direction. Keeping God’s statute was no longer attractive to him.
God, out of anger, decided to rend Solomon’s kingdom into two, giving 10 tribes to Jeroboam, son of Nebat, an Ephrathite. He would allow Solomon to control only two tribes because of David, who was God’s faithful servant. Jeroboam, a seemingly impressive and hard-working man, was appointed by Solomon to command the tribes of Joseph, who had to work for the king. Ephraim and Manasseh were Joseph’s sons and they formed two of the largest tribes in Israel. This time, God decided to favour Jeroboam with 10 tribes as punishment for Solomon, who allowed sin to dominate his life.
Jeroboam did not initially know of God’s intention until he met prophet Ahijah, the Shilonite, who gave him the information. Ahijah emphasised that it was because Solomon disobeyed God. The two tribes – Judah and Benjamin – would continue to belong to the family of David, but Jeroboam’s family would only continue to rule over the north if they obeyed God.
Who could have imagined that Solomon would so soon lose the control of the entire nation, which his father strenuously built. Sin and compromise are not only damning, they are deadly. What it took years to build could be destroyed in a fell swoop by sin. Learn from the ignoble example of Solomon and stick to God’s righteousness and ways.
Bible in One Year: 2 Chronicles 1-4
Thought for The Day: Sin is deadly.
DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.
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