Meanwhile Back in Judah, Saturday, June 2, 2012

Today's reading is I Kings 13:33, 34 and chapters 14, 15.  It is clearly stated that the sin of Jeroboan which led to his downfall, and that of Israel, was the appointment to priesthood of anyone desiring the position.  It would be chilling to receiving this pronouncement from God, as Jeroboam did:  "You have done more evil than all who lived before you.  You have made for yourself other gods, idols, made of metal; you have provoked me to anger and thrust me behind your back."  I Kings 14:9

Having heard that, he repented in sackcloth and ashes -- you would think.  But, he doesn't.  In fact, his son dies and is proclaimed to be the only one of Jeroboam's descendants who will receive the dignity of burial.  God found some good in the son.

Meanwhile, back in Judah, Rehoboam has wisely placed his sons in various fortified towns to govern them, but when he became strong, ". . .he and all Israel with him abandoned the law of the Lord."  He even set up shrines with male prostitutes.  During the 5th year of his reign Egypt invaded.  The good news is:  I Kings says that there were still "some good in Judah."  War was a constant in Rehoboam's 17-year-reign and he died at 58.  His son Abijah became king and reigned for 3 years.  In the beginning Abijah followed God, but finally he committed all the sins his father committed before him.