Today's reading is in I Kings 12 and 13. The reign of Rehoboam begins with the return of Jeroboam from Egypt. Jeroboam comes to the king with other Israelites, asking for relief from their heavy tax burden. Rehoboam consults with two groups of advisers and decides to listen to the younger group. Their advice cost him ten of the twelve tribes he ruled as Solomon's successor. Jeroboam is made king of the ten northern tribes. Rehoboam rules Judah and Benjamin. Jeroboam quickly makes many poor choices in setting up his own priesthood, worship sites, and two golden calves to worship. He lost the priests and Levites who then fled to the south and followed Rehoboam. There is a troubling story of a "man of God" who is tricked by a lying prophet and as a result is mauled and killed by a lion. So far, things are not going well since Solomon's death.
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