1 Kings 12-14: Divided Loyalties

The kingdom divides between Solomon's son, Jeroboam and Rehoboam.  But the division between Judah and the other tribes of Israel was not as great as the gulf that grew between all of them, irregardless of which king they swore allegiance to, and the Lord God.  The choice was made, out of the affluence of Solomon to go it alone.  There were idols and high places where they could worship the idols.  What more did they need.

And this disregard for God has continued down through the years.  We all have our own idols and high places where we worship them.  Some are in football stadiums or basketball arenas.  Some are in shopping malls.  Some are in the towering skyscrapers of commerce.  There are as many different gods to worship as their are places.  Some are even in churches, where sometimes it is the pastor or the worship leader who has our unadulterated worship.  

Unfortunately, whatever reign we think is going to last forever will do just the opposite.  Nothing that is built or worshipped that is not centered on God will last.  It all crumples, and the more we worship other idols, the faster they will fall apart.

2010 Post - 1 Kings 12-14:  A Divided Kingdom