The Sabbath-School

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Jul 23, 1885

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 11, No. 28.

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The Sabbath-School.

LESSON FOR THE PACIFIC COAST—AUG. 15.

Inheritance of the Saints.—Continued.

OVERTHROW OF THE ANCIENT KINGDOM OF ISRAEL.

1. Who succeeded David as king of Israel?

2. How long did he reign?

“And the time that Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel was forty years.” 1 Kings 11: 42.

3. Before Solomon’s death, what had been prophesied concerning the kingdom?

“And it came to pass at that time when Jeroboam went out of Jerusalem, that the prophet Ahijah the Shilonite found him in the way; and he had clad himself with a new garment; and they two were alone in the field; and Ahijah caught the new garment that was on him, and rent it in twelve pieces; and he said to Jeroboam, take thee ten pieces; for thus saith the Lord, the God of Israel, Behold, I will rend the kingdom out of the hand of Solomon, and will give ten tribes to thee.” 1 Kings 11: 29–31.

4. To whom did the prophet say ten parts of the kingdom should be given?

5. How much was to be left to the house of Solomon?

“But he shall have one tribe for my servant David’s sake, and for Jerusalem’s sake, the city which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel.” 1 Kings 11: 32.

6. Why was the division to be made?

“Because that they have forsaken me, and have worshiped Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, Chemosh the god of the Moabites, and Milcom the god of the children of Ammon, 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.

7. Then what kind of kingdom did the Lord design the kingdom of Israel to be?

Since the kingdom of Israel was divided because the people had forsaken God, and had not walked in his ways, and yet one part was preserved to the house of David, because he kept the commandments of God, it is evident that God designed the kingdom of Israel to be one in which his law should be universally adopted as the rule of life.

8. When was this division to be made?

“Howbeit I will not take the whole kingdom out of his hand; but I will make him prince all the days of his life for David my servant’s sake, whom I chose, because he kept my commandments and my statutes; but I will take the kingdom out of his son’s hand, and will give it unto thee, even ten tribes. And unto his son will I give one tribe, that David my servant may have a light alway before me in Jerusalem, the city which I have chosen me to put my name there.” 1 Kings 11: 34–36.

9. For what reason was the kingdom kept entire during Solomon’s lifetime? See preceding reference.

10. How many instances can you cite, in which wicked people received blessings because of the goodness of others?

All the wise men of Babylon were saved from destruction, because of Daniel and his three companions, who feared God. Dan. 2. A whole ship-load of reckless and wicked men escaped death in the sea, because Paul, the servant of God, was on board. Acts 27. And the presence of ten righteous persons in Sodom, would have preserved that city from destruction. Other instances may be cited.

11. Who was Solomon’s successor?

“And Solomon slept with his fathers, and was buried in the city of David his father; and Rehoboam his son reigned in his stead.” 1 Kings 11: 43.

12. After he had been made king, who came to him?

“And Jeroboam and all the congregation of Israel came, and spake unto Rehoboam. 1 Kings 12: 3.

13. Relate the conversation that passed between them and the king.

“And Jeroboam and all the congregation of Israel came, and spake unto Rehoboam, saying, Thy father made our yoke grievous; now therefore make thou the grievous service of thy father, and his heavy yoke which he put upon us, lighter, and we will serve thee. And he said unto them, Depart yet for three days, then come again to me. And the people departed.” 1 Kings 12: 3–5.

14. When they came the third day, what answer did king Rehoboam make?

“So Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam the third day, as the king had appointed, saying, Come to me again the third day. And the king answered the people roughly, and forsook the old men’s counsel that they gave him; and spake after the counsel of the young men, saying, My father made your yoke heavy, and I will add to your yoke; my father also chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions. Wherefore the king hearkened not unto the people; for the cause was from the Lord, that he might perform his saying, which the Lord spake by Ahijah the Shilonite unto Jeroboam the son of Nebat.” 1 Kings 12: 12–15.

15. When the people saw that their plea was disregarded, what did they do?

“So when all Israel saw that the king hearkened not unto them, the people answered the king, saying, What portion have we in David? neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse; to your tents, O Israel; now see to thine own house, David. So Israel departed unto their tents. But as for the children of Israel which dwelt in the cities of Judah, Rehoboam reigned over them. Then king Rehoboam sent Adoram, who was over the tribute; and all Israel stoned him with stones, that he died. Therefore king Rehoboam made speed to get him up to his chariot, to flee to Jerusalem. So Israel rebelled against the house of David unto this day. And it came to pass, when all Israel heard that Jeroboam was come again, that they sent and called him unto the congregation, and made him king over all Israel; there was none that followed the house of David, but the tribe of Judah only.” 1 Kings 12: 16–20.

16. When was this division effected? About B. C. 975.

17. What was the subsequent history of the kingdom of Israel, now divided into two kingdoms?

The northern division, called the kingdom of Israel, in distinction from the southern division which was called Judah, had scarcely a redeeming feature. Without any exception, its kings were bad, some of them outrivaling the heathen. Because of this wickedness, the people were overcome and carried to Assyria, their places being filled by Assyrians. This was in the year 721 B. C. Of the kings of Judah, some were eminent for their piety, while some were very wicked. The character of the later kings, with the consequence of their wickedness, is described in the last chapter of 2 Chronicles. Jerusalem was conquered by Nebuchadnezzar in B. C. 606, and the people were all removed to Babylon by the year 588. At the close of the seventy years’ captivity, they were permitted to return, but the Jews were never afterward an independent nation. They were subject to the various ruling monarchies until Jerusalem was totally and finally destroyed by the Romans, A. D. 70. Since then the Jews, as a people, have had no place on earth.

18. Yet what positive promise had the Lord made concerning Israel?

“Moreover I will appoint a place for my people Israel, and will plant them, that they may dwell in a place of their own, and move no more; neither shall the children of wickedness afflict them any more, as beforetime. And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established forever before thee; thy throne shall be established forever.” 2 Sam. 7: 10, 16.

19. In view of the final complete overthrow of the kingdom of Israel then in existence, to what must we conclude that the Lord referred in the text last quoted?

We must conclude that the Lord referred to some future kingdom, in which a people called Israelites should dwell, and in which the will of God should be done perfectly; even the kingdom which the Lord had in mind when he taught his disciples to pray, “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in Heaven.”