Ethan: Welcome To Immerse: The Daily Bible Reading Experience.
Day 200 and 19
Rehoboam went to Shechem where all Israel had gathered to make him king.
When Jar Boams, son of Neba heard of this, he returned from Egypt for he had fled
to Egypt to his escape from King Solomon.
The leaders of Israel summoned him and Jeroboam, and the whole assembly of
Israel went to speak with Reboboam.
Your father was a hard master.
They said, lighten the harsh labor demands and heavy taxes
that your father imposed on us.
Then we will be your loyal subjects.
Rehoboam replied, give me three days to think this over.
Then come back for my answer.
So the people went away.
Then King Rehoboam discussed the matter with the older men
who had counseled his father.
Solomon.
What is your advice?
He asked, how should I answer these people?
The older counselors replied, if you are willing to be a servant to these people
today and give them a favorable answer, they will always be your loyal subjects.
But Rehoboam rejected the advice of the older men and instead asked the
opinion of the young men who had grown up with him and were now his advisors.
What is your advice?
He asked them, how should I answer these people who want me to lighten
the burdens imposed by my father?
The young men replied, this is what you should tell those complainers
who want a lighter burden.
My little finger is thicker than my father's waist.
Yes, my father laid heavy burdens on you, but I'm going to make them even heavier.
My father beat you with whips, but I will beat you with scorpions.
Three days later, Jarbo and all the people returned to hi Reba's
decision, just as the king had ordered.
But Rehoboam spoke harshly to the people for, he rejected the advice
of the older counselors and followed the counsel of his younger advisors.
He told the people, my father laid heavy burdens on you, but I'm
going to make them even heavier.
My father beat you with whips, but I will beat you with scorpions.
So the king paid no attention to the people.
This turn of events was the will of the Lord for it fulfilled the Lord's
message to Jeroboam, son of Neba through the prophet, a hijah from Shiloh.
When all Israel realized that the king had refused to listen to them, they
responded down with the dynasty of David, we have no interest in the son of Jesse.
Back to your home.
So Israel, look out for your own house.
So David, so the people of Israel returned home.
But Rehoboam continued to rule over the Israelites who
lived in the towns of Judah.
King Rehoboam sent Adam Iram, who was in charge of forced labor
to restore order, but the people of Israel stoned him to death.
When this news reached King Reboboam, he quickly jumped into
his chariot and fled to Jerusalem.
And to this day, the northern tribes of Israel have refused to
be ruled by a descendant of David.
When the people of Israel learned of Rebos return from Egypt, they called an assembly
and made him king over all Israel.
So only the tribe of Judah remained loyal to the family of David.
When Rehoboam arrived at Jerusalem, he mobilized the men of Judah and the
tribe of Benjamin 180,000 select troops to fight against the men of Israel
and to restore the kingdom to himself.
But God said to Shama, the man of God, say to Rebo son of Solomon, king of
Judah, and to all the people of Judah and Benjamin, and to the rest of the
people, this is what the Lord says, do not fight against your relatives.
The Israelites go back home for what has happened is my doing.
So they obeyed the message of the Lord and went home as the Lord had commanded.
This concludes today's Immer Reading experience.
Thank you for joining us.