The what-ifs in life and what we do with them
1 Kings 12:1-24
All of us may have experienced situations where we did all we could to push through difficulties and everything seemed to work against us, or where we look back on some circumstances and blame ourselves for missed opportunities. When something does not work out for us, is that God’s will or our responsibility for making the wrong choices or not trying harder? It could involve a job we failed to secure, a relationship with spouse or children that ruptured, an accident or illness – all situations that may have turned out differently ‘if only’ we had paid attention, made different decisions, said different things. Depending on our temperament and circumstances, we may emphasise either God’s sovereignty or human responsibility more. For the exiles reflecting on their history, the succession of Rehoboam to the throne and the parting of the ways between Israel and Judah may have been one of those ‘what-if’ questions. Could there have been a different future for the kingdom if only the parties acted differently?
A foolish choice
Our reading opens with a gathering at Shechem (1 Kings 12:1) to confirm the monarch by popular assent, an unexpected move and even more so that the location is not Jerusalem. Shechem in the centre of Israel saw the covenant renewal between Israel and her God (Joshua 24:24-25),[1] and will now witness the people’s decision to renew their commitment to David’s descendant – or not. Jeroboam as former overseer of the forced labour among the northern tribes (1 Kings 11:28) is ideally placed to represent the people’s grievances and is recalled from Egypt (1 Kings 12:2-3). Given the choice to be conciliatory or harsh, Rehoboam already identifies with his contemporaries (note ‘that we may answer’, 1 Kings 12:9).[2] One can imagine the spoilt prince, used to the luxuries and glittering court of his father and the latter’s unchallenged power, far removed from the people’s toil and arrogantly assuming that his position was secure. What a contrast to David and the young Solomon who both recognised royal privilege as given by God for the service of His people (2 Sam 5:12; 1 Kings 3:6-9)!
What Rehoboam’s choice reveals about him
If only Rehoboam had made a different choice! But did he have a choice if events were from the Lord (1 Kings 12:15)? Scripture upholds both God’s sovereignty and human responsibility. Rehoboam could have chosen a different (and wiser) course. True, God would have brought about the division anyway, but Rehoboam would not have been accountable for it.[3] His choice highlights the kind of a king he will be, without empathy for the suffering of others and without discernment about the people’s deep anger over their burdens (witness sending an overseer of the forced labour as envoy, 1 Kings 12:18!). He was not a shepherd caring for the flock on God’s behalf. His rash plans to force the northern tribes back into the alliance by civil war reveals his lack of remorse and a stubborn arrogance (1 Kings 12:20-21). Revealingly, the prophet’s warning is addressed to the king and the people, but the decision to listen to God does not single out the king again (1 Kings 12:22-24) – a subtle hint perhaps of his lack of wisdom.[4] Thus, losing most of his kingdom was as much a wake-up call for him as it was a judgment on Solomon’s idolatry.
The difference repentance would make
While God’s plan to split the kingdom would have happened anyway, how Judah was going to live through that change was affected by its king’s attitude. If Rehoboam had shown remorse, recognised what went wrong in Solomon’s reign and turned to the Lord, the separation of the two kingdoms may not have lasted as long as it did. How the country lived through its years of discipline would also have looked different (note how David who understood God’s discipline during Absalom’s rebellion found moments of grace and help).[5] Our actions then matter because they can influence the overall outcome, but also because how we live with it will look different when we submit to the Lord’s sovereignty. We cannot always know if God has any specific will for us (and often He does not), but we can trust that in His sovereignty our circumstances (our mistakes and all) are in His control (Rom 8:28-29). May we trust Him and know that He is for us!
[1] Shechem was an ancient worship site (e.g. Gen 12:6-7; 33:18-20) with Mt Ebal and Mt Gerizim to its north and south respectively. Here Israel read out the blessings and curses of the covenant (Deut 11:26-29; 27:1-26; 28:1-14) which was renewed in Joshua’s time (Joshua 24:14-28).
[2] Lissa M. Wray Beal, 1&2 Kings, AOTC (Nottingham: Apollos/Downers Grove: IVP, 2014), 182.
[3] Jesus’ words about His own death come to mind. It is God’s will that Jesus give His life, but woe betide the one who will betray Him (Matt 26:24). Another example would be Esther’s story where she has the chance to save God’s people. However, if she refuses, the Lord will use other means, but she will be held accountable for not helping (Esther 4:13-14).
[4] Wray Beal, 1&2 Kings, 183.
[5] David’s attitude is one of humility (2 Sam 15:30) as he flees Absalom and clings to God. When he is cursed by Shimei he does not retaliate thinking at this point that perhaps it is God’s judgment on him (2 Sam 16: 9-11). When told that his long-time adviser Ahithophel betrayed him, he prays to God for help (2 Sam 15:31) and almost immediately he meets Hushai, another advisor whom he sends to Absalom’s court to thwart Ahithophel’s counsel (2 Sam 15:32-34). Although Ahithophel is the better advisor, God thwarts his advice through Hushai’s efforts (2 Sam 17:14). This does not lessen his terrible loss of Absalom, his son (2 Sam 18:33), but he finds grace in his sufferings and his exile is ultimately short-lived.
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