Lessons from 2 Corinthians 1 to 2

2 Corinthians 1

This chapter started with greetings from Apostle Paul to the Church in Corinth and to the believers in Greece.

This shows how importance courtesy is, I know it may seem trivial but it shows the morals of a person when they greet others.

We now live in the era where people can just come to you and start full blown conversation without greetings.

Also, I can relate this with how we start our day, do we just wake up and just get out of bed with no bother about greeting the one who kept us all through the night. The Bible says He never sleep nor slumber according to Psalms 121. So I urge you always appreciate God in and through your quiet time each day you wake up to witness another time on this part of eternity.

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ. Even when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your comfort and salvation! For when we ourselves are comforted, we will certainly comfort you. Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer. We are confident that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in the comfort God gives us.

2 Corinthians 1:3‭-‬7 NLT

https://bible.com/bible/116/2co.1.3-7.NLT

Verse 3 to 7 of 2 Corinthians, Apostle Paul after extending his greetings to the people of Corinth Church and Greece, he went ahead to encourage them with assurance of the comfort of God. The opening verses of the scripture was necessary and it made it easy for him to share the message of encouragement even in the trying times.

He was able to assure the people that they share in the suffering God will comfort them. 

I find this to be very important as a believer, you cannot share the love or comfort of Christ if you come in with rod to whip people. 

This is not to say that when we need to pass some messages that might not be friendly we can't, yes, we can through the grace, mercy and wisdom God gave to us.

However, we must be ready to give strength to the weak in a way that they will be encouraged in their faith and their stand in God even in the face of trial. Any trial can make anyone give up, some coming trials will even make believers to stop believing how do we ensure that through it we still hold on firm unto Christ?

In verses 8-11, he then explained how they almost lost their life in Asia and the importance and effect of the intercessory prayers held by the church in Corinth. You see as a Christian in as much as this salvation journey is personal, your life and mine are connected to the lives of other believers, either those already in faith or those yet to come to know Christ. This is why we can't give up on praying for the salvation of the world and praying that God upholds all believers even in the face of unforseen trails of life.

We can say with confidence and a clear conscience that we have lived with a God-given holiness and sincerity in all our dealings. We have depended on God’s grace, not on our own human wisdom. That is how we have conducted ourselves before the world, and especially toward you.

2 Corinthians 1:12 NLT

https://bible.com/bible/116/2co.1.12.NLT

Apostle Paul made a very important note in 2 Corinthians 1:12, that they lived in God-given holiness and sincerity in all their dealings. Hmm! Holiness is not just by the works and ability of man, for it to meet the standard of God, it must be given or orchestrated by God.

So if you struggle with living a life of holiness and you desire it, you need to ask God and be willing to let go and abide in His will even when it's uncomfortable.

From verse 13-15, Apostle Paul mentioned how their letters have been true, ensuring that it's not too complicated for the people to understand and he addressee fact that even if they don't understand as at the time they were reading he prays that when Jesus comes they will understand the journey Apostle Paul went through and be proud he did.

I see confidence in this, Apostle Paul was so certain that he would reign with Christ. He put it out there that he didn't dilly dally in ungodly things that will make him second guess his chances of reigning with Christ.

The question here to you and I is, are we certain that if Jesus comes now we will reign with Him. Are you strictly abiding in Him as He wants you to or you are just living and following the trends and the flow of life now?

You may be asking why I changed my plan. Do you think I make my plans carelessly? Do you think I am like people of the world who say “Yes” when they really mean “No”? As surely as God is faithful, our word to you does not waver between “Yes” and “No.” For Jesus Christ, the Son of God, does not waver between “Yes” and “No.” He is the one whom Silas, Timothy, and I preached to you, and as God’s ultimate “Yes,” he always does what he says. For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” And through Christ, our “Amen” (which means “Yes”) ascends to God for his glory. It is God who enables us, along with you, to stand firm for Christ. He has commissioned us, and he has identified us as his own by placing the Holy Spirit in our hearts as the first installment that guarantees everything he has promised us. Now I call upon God as my witness that I am telling the truth. The reason I didn’t return to Corinth was to spare you from a severe rebuke. But that does not mean we want to dominate you by telling you how to put your faith into practice. We want to work together with you so you will be full of joy, for it is by your own faith that you stand firm.

2 Corinthians 1:17‭-‬24 NLT

https://bible.com/bible/116/2co.1.17-24.NLT

From verse 18 to 24, Apostle Paul made it clear that he has changed his plan to return to Corinth instead he was heading to Macedonia. I like the fact that he showed that he was a man under authority of Christ and a man of integrity. He did not just say I am coming and just show up against the will of God. He had to follow what God said even if it means man is disappointed.

How many of us will obey God even when we disappoint man? How many of us will constantly align with following the authority of God? Paul was an Apostle, He could have said well I am a man with great calling, I will just do this and go back to God in my secret place to ask for mercy. He didn't, because He is aware that God's authority is the final. Is God's authority the final in my life or your life?

2 Corinthians 2

So I decided that I would not bring you grief with another painful visit. For if I cause you grief, who will make me glad? Certainly not someone I have grieved. That is why I wrote to you as I did, so that when I do come, I won’t be grieved by the very ones who ought to give me the greatest joy. Surely you all know that my joy comes from your being joyful. I wrote that letter in great anguish, with a troubled heart and many tears. I didn’t want to grieve you, but I wanted to let you know how much love I have for you.

2 Corinthians 2:1‭-‬4 NLT

https://bible.com/bible/116/2co.2.1-4.NLT

The 4 opening verses depicts the selflessness of Apostle Paul. He in his own trial wrote letter without expressing his pain in order not to grieve the fellow believer. It can be very hard to see people who think of how their lives will affects others faith if they constantly build pity party due to their current situation. How do you express yourself in the face of trials to others, do you always want people to feel and know the pain you go through just so they can sympathize or empathize with you even when God says that you should keep it away from them.

How many people have lost their faith just because you couldn't just allow God to carry you through the trials instead you made sure everyone knew how much faith you have and why the trials is almost sinking you.

As recorded in the closing verses of chapter 1, Paul was a man under the authority of Christ and he ensured he obeyed what God was asking him to do rather than display his leadership by building pity party.

Verse 5-13 explains the importance of forgiveness.

When you forgive this man, I forgive him, too. And when I forgive whatever needs to be forgiven, I do so with Christ’s authority for your benefit, so that Satan will not outsmart us. For we are familiar with his evil schemes.

2 Corinthians 2:10‭-‬11 NLT

https://bible.com/bible/116/2co.2.10-11.NLT

 Verse 10 to 11 breaks down how unforgiveness can hold a man under the dictates of Satan. He said they should forgive the man that caused him (Apostle Paul) pain, when they do that he will forgive them so they can enjoy the benefits of Christ and Satan will not outsmart them.

Apostle Paul was a man of integrity and God fearing leader. We often find some leaders who weaponize their position by asking their followers to fight anyone that has done anything against them the leader. The truth is such leader is not doing the will of God as we can see in these verses and in turn the devil turns them indirectly into his tools by outsmarting them. 

We serve the God of Vengeance even when people have done your leader wrong hand them over to God, don't fight for God. Leaders in this context doesn't necessarily mean the church leaders only. I pray God gives us wisdom to know when to act and how to act especially in the faces of trials of faith in Jesus name amen.

But thank God! He has made us his captives and continues to lead us along in Christ’s triumphal procession. Now he uses us to spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere, like a sweet perfume. Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God. But this fragrance is perceived differently by those who are being saved and by those who are perishing. To those who are perishing, we are a dreadful smell of death and doom. But to those who are being saved, we are a life-giving perfume. And who is adequate for such a task as this? You see, we are not like the many hucksters who preach for personal profit. We preach the word of God with sincerity and with Christ’s authority, knowing that God is watching us.

2 Corinthians 2:14‭-‬17 NLT

https://bible.com/bible/116/2co.2.14-17.NLT

The closing verses talks about how we are followers of Christ's triumphal procession, which basically means we are not driven by the waves of this world but we are led by Jesus Christ. We are not doing things based human gratification it's is according to the leading of Jesus Christ.

To ordinary man, it smells like death and doom but to God it's Christ like perfume. Preaching the word of God for true believers is for sincerity not to profit, not for human gain but so the kingdom of God will be populated and God will be glorified at the end of it all.

I pray that God will grant us all grace to abide in Christ to the very end in Jesus mighty name amen.

Lessons from Exodus 23 -24

Exodus 23

From Previous chapters, the Lord was giving Moses the precepts of what should and should not be done by the Israelites. 

Chapter 23: 1-9 started with warnings, do not to give false report, do not to be an unrighteous witness, don't follow evil crowd or treat the poor partially. Some of the warning includes not taking bribe, not oppressing temporary residents.

From these few verses it's easy to note that God wants us to live in a set way and it is the righteous way because all the don't that was listed were things He frowned upon. The main question is are we abiding by the precepts of God or have we watered down the word just to suit us.

From verse 10- 19 documents how God instructed the children of Israel to work for 6 years and allow the ground to rest in the 7th year (this will enable the nutrients of the soil to replenish), the importance of keeping Sabbath and resting, celebrating the feast of harvest which is the Pentecost, the feast of unleavened bread, bringing first fruits, first child to God.

Verse 20-33 Documented how He has secured their protection by sending angels before them, to bring their enemies down, how they must serve God almighty,  how he will drive the inhabitants of the lands He was taking them to little by little and the children of Israel will take over. There was emphasis on not making covenant with any other gods and anything that will make them sin against God.

What I deduce from this chapter is that the love of God is beyond what we can fathom, He has everything planned out. However,engaging in sin or anything that He frowns upon brings reproach. It is a reminder that when I obey God, He will fulfill His promises concerning me.

Exodus 24

Verse 1-8  God requested that Moses come up to the Lord but Aaron and the others should worship afar off only Moses had the special invitation and privilege to come closer to God. By the time Moses told  the Israelites the instructions, they said they will do according to what God said.

One lesson to pick here as a leader is who are you answerable to, I am not talking about hierarchy within an organisation or church setting. Even as an individual aside the physical people you are answerable to, can you access God directly? A leader or person who still do not have a direct access to God need to find a way to do away with anything that limits their relationship and accessibility to God.

 

Verse 9 -18 recorded how Moses and the elders went up the mountain as God requested. Moses wrote down all God said to Him. It was noted that he went up with Joshua, but only Moses went further. The clouds covered the mountain and the glory of the Lord rested on mount Sinai for 6 days and on the 7th day God called Moses out, and the glory of God appeared to the Israelites like devouring fire then Moses entered the clouds for another 40 days and 40 nights.

The presence of God is where the impossibility is born, when you carry the presence of God things changes in you and around you. As a believer we must crave to spend time in God and with God, if we indeed want His glory over our lives and all around us. It also important to pray for leaders of the gospel to carry the true presence of God, because you will partake from the type of anointing you believe in. If your spiritual leader lacks glory of God it is not possible for it to be dissemination to the followers except the followers themselves seek God personally.

Lessons from 1 Corinthians 5 - 6

I Corinthians 5

In the beginning of this chapter, apostle Paul is speaking to the church about the immorality going on in the church.

I can hardly believe the report about the sexual immorality going on among you—something that even pagans don’t do. I am told that a man in your church is living in sin with his stepmother. You are so proud of yourselves, but you should be mourning in sorrow and shame. And you should remove this man from your fellowship.

1 Corinthians 5:1‭-‬2 NLT

What I garner from this scripture is the displeasure and unbelief of the state of the church that apostle Paul heard. In this present age we still hear of some act that are displeasing to God but the difference is everyone hides away under one covering of sin or the other. Some do not want to be told off, some don't want to be caught and some explain their way justifying the act while some water down what the scripture says about certain sin. The problem is many fail to understand that sin is sin, there is no grading or hierarchy when it comes to sin before God and God is aware of every sinful act.

Even though I am not with you in person, I am with you in the Spirit. And as though I were there, I have already passed judgment on this man in the name of the Lord Jesus. You must call a meeting of the church. I will be present with you in spirit, and so will the power of our Lord Jesus. Then you must throw this man out and hand him over to Satan so that his sinful nature will be destroyed and he himself will be saved on the day the Lord returns. Your boasting about this is terrible. Don’t you realize that this sin is like a little yeast that spreads through the whole batch of dough? Get rid of the old “yeast” by removing this wicked person from among you. Then you will be like a fresh batch of dough made without yeast, which is what you really are. Christ, our Passover Lamb, has been sacrificed for us. So let us celebrate the festival, not with the old bread of wickedness and evil, but with the new bread of sincerity and truth.

1 Corinthians 5:3‭-‬8 NLT

1 Corinthians 5:3-8,  Apostle Paul elaborated more on the need to get rid of sin and get rid of the sinful person so they can be saved. I always remind myself that a group is as weak as the weakest link. His description of how sin is like again of yeast and how it will rise to the very end exactly shows why you can't tolerate or accommodate any form of sin. You might initially think it's nothing but when worst comes to shove, it's blown out of proportion and it becomes a big deal and before God it is not just a sin, it's the destruction that envelopes the soul that fails to repent from sin. I learned from these verses that you must deal with sin before it deals with you.

When I wrote to you before, I told you not to associate with people who indulge in sexual sin. But I wasn’t talking about unbelievers who indulge in sexual sin, or are greedy, or cheat people, or worship idols. You would have to leave this world to avoid people like that. I meant that you are not to associate with anyone who claims to be a believer yet indulges in sexual sin, or is greedy, or worships idols, or is abusive, or is a drunkard, or cheats people. Don’t even eat with such people. It isn’t my responsibility to judge outsiders, but it certainly is your responsibility to judge those inside the church who are sinning. God will judge those on the outside; but as the Scriptures say, “You must remove the evil person from among you.”

1 Corinthians 5:9‭-‬13 NLT

Verse 9 to 13 further explain why the  correction of those who are believers that still commit sexual sin must be addressed. Apostle Paul said here that, his previous warning wasn't meant for unbelievers but for believers. That unbelievers will be judged directly by God. We can't even dispute the fact that some attrocities or sin are still being committed by believers these days. The truth is many have become ignorant or normalized these act that makes it look as if it's the norm. The truth is the word of God is final, His word never changes and God cannot change just so human can bend the rules. Sexual sin is the sin to the body and according to  1 Corinthians 3:16

Don’t you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you?

1 Corinthians 3:16 NLT

We are God's temple, our bodies are His temple, so sexual sin if encouraged or practiced defiles the temple of God. That is wrong and should not be encouraged. My prayer is that God helps us with every type of sin we might fall in and grant us grace to live above sin in Jesus name amen

1 Corinthians 6

This Chapter just like the previous chapter started with the displeasure of apostle Paul of believers that sue each other but use the judges who are unbelievers to judge the case.

When one of you has a dispute with another believer, how dare you file a lawsuit and ask a secular court to decide the matter instead of taking it to other believers! Don’t you realize that someday we believers will judge the world? And since you are going to judge the world, can’t you decide even these little things among yourselves? Don’t you realize that we will judge angels? So you should surely be able to resolve ordinary disputes in this life. If you have legal disputes about such matters, why go to outside judges who are not respected by the church? I am saying this to shame you. Isn’t there anyone in all the church who is wise enough to decide these issues? But instead, one believer sues another—right in front of unbelievers!

1 Corinthians 6:1‭-‬6 NLT

The truth is, this is a practice that is still ongoing in many countries, and religion of the world. My question is how do you know the true believers who can resolves cases in the church. Do we have leaders in the church who will judge according to the will of God without favouritism of any kind?

Do we still have churches that abide solely to the plans and precepts of God? I am sure we still have them because I do not want to be ignorant in anyway. When Elijah thought he was the only upright prophet, God told him there were 7000 who have not bowed to Baal. I believe in this current days we still have true believers.  I pray God directs us on how to solve dispute appropriately in Jesus name amen.

He went further to say why not allow injustice and just let go. Then he hit the nail on the head by saying because the attrocities is coming directly from you believers and do you not realise that anyone who practice all these things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Instead, you yourselves are the ones who do wrong and cheat even your fellow believers. Don’t you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don’t fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality, or are thieves, or greedy people, or drunkards, or are abusive, or cheat people—none of these will inherit the Kingdom of God. Some of you were once like that. But you were cleansed; you were made holy; you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

1 Corinthians 6:8‭-‬11 NLT

These chapter, is a call for evaluation to review our personal ways, to see if we are indeed true believers or we are just believers when we have to be. Because inheriting the kingdom of God is the ultimate goal, if indulging in this secret sins is still a norm in a believer's life, they can't inherit the kingdom of God. 

Lord I ask for grace to not indulge in immoralities that will deny me from making heaven in Jesus name amen.

1 Corinthians 6:12-13

You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is good for you. And even though “I am allowed to do anything,” I must not become a slave to anything. You say, “Food was made for the stomach, and the stomach for food.” (This is true, though someday God will do away with both of them.) But you can’t say that our bodies were made for sexual immorality. They were made for the Lord, and the Lord cares about our bodies.

1 Corinthians 6:12‭-‬13 NLT

What I grabbed from this scripture is that, the fact that something is good for all doesn't necessarily mean is good for me as a believer. Sexual sin must be avoided at all cost and every sin that makes us far from the plans of God. But if you fail to, always remember God is capable to put an end to the existence of both the sin and the sinner. However, he loves us so much and our bodies must always be used according to His will.

Sex is beyond just ordinary intercourses and when it is practiced outside the God ordain way it is sexual sin.

And God will raise us from the dead by his power, just as he raised our Lord from the dead. Don’t you realize that your bodies are actually parts of Christ? Should a man take his body, which is part of Christ, and join it to a prostitute? Never! And don’t you realize that if a man joins himself to a prostitute, he becomes one body with her? For the Scriptures say, “The two are united into one.” But the person who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with him. 1 Corinthians 6:14‭-‬17 NLT

When we leave this world we will reign with God eternally if we lived for Him while on earth. When your body is joint with Him here on earth, reigning with Him eternally is guaranteed. 

Whatever you join your body to rules over your spirit and soul, so sexual immorality affects the entire existence of a believer.

Run from sexual sin! No other sin so clearly affects the body as this one does. For sexual immorality is a sin against your own body. Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.

1 Corinthians 6:18‭-‬20 NLT

The last warning in this chapter 6 is clear, run from sexual immorality, it is a sin to the Holy Spirit, you do not belong to yourself because we were bought by a high price the blood of Jesus shed on Calvary.

I pray for anyone struggling with sexual immorality either in deeds or in thoughts that God almighty will set you free. 

I ask for grace to continually commit our body to the hands of God in Jesus name amen.

Lessons from 1 Kings 11 - 12

Lessons from the Bible applicable to daily living..

1 Kings 11

The scripture started with the fact that Solomon loved women, they weren't just women but foreign women including the daughter of Pharaoh..

Now king Solomon [defiantly] loved many foreign women along with the daughter of Pharaoh: Moabite, Ammonite, Edomite, Sidonian, and Hittite women, from the very nations of whom the Lord said to the Israelites, “You shall not associate with them, nor shall they associate with you, for the result will be that they will turn away your hearts to follow their gods.” Yet Solomon clung to these in love. He had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines, and his wives turned his heart away [from God]. For when Solomon was old, his wives turned his heart away after other gods; and his heart was not completely devoted to the Lord his God, as was the heart of his father David.

1 Kings 11:1‭-‬4 AMP

https://bible.com/bible/1588/1ki.11.1-4.AMP

Often times when the Bible refers to someone or situation or something as 'strange' it denotes that they are not within the covenant of God. So the women Solomon went for were outside the covenant. If we note the likes of Jacob, Isaac they married within the covenant of God.

The sad thing about Solomon marrying strange women was that they turned him to serve their gods. Alas! Solomon a descendant of David serving strange gods. This just confirms the saying that if you follow dogs you will feast on dog poop.  As a believer anything that draw you far away from God should never be entertained let alone allowed to fester in your life.

The thirst that Solomon had for multiple women to make matters worse strange women drew him into ungodly covenants. I can only imagine how he pleased each of them but I guess like Delilah lured Samson to his destruction through fake love, they probably drew him to these gods of theirs just so he can prove his love for them.

Whatever you will love as a child of God that will replace or make the love and fear of God obsolete should be avoided like plague.

1kibgs 11:5-8 documented the names of the gods Solomon followed through his wives and from verse 9 the Bible stated that God almighty was angry.

So the Lord became angry with Solomon because his heart was turned away from the Lord, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice, and had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not follow other gods; but he did not observe (remember, obey) what the Lord had commanded. Therefore the Lord said to Solomon, “Because you have done this and have not kept My covenant and My statutes, which I have commanded you, I will certainly tear the kingdom away from you and give it to your servant. However, I will not do it in your lifetime, for the sake of your father David, but I will tear it out of the hand of your son (Rehoboam). However, I will not tear away all the kingdom; I will give one tribe (Judah) to your son for the sake of My servant David and for the sake of Jerusalem which I have chosen.”

1 Kings 11:9‭-‬13 AMP

https://bible.com/bible/1588/1ki.11.9-13.AMP

You can't serve God and mammon, anything that takes a supreme place in your life above God should not be allowed because it is recipe for destruction.

It painful to read that the punishment for Solomon's disobedience was taken out on the generation after him. God kept his part of the deal with David, Solomon's father for but then the descendants of Solomon had to pay for Solomon's deeds.

We still see such repercussions playing out in the lives of people, they pay for the sins of their fathers or their forefathers except they have divine intervention and deliverance to break the pattern.

My prayer today is that every negative pattern or covenant that has been entered by the generation before me, that is seeking for me or my generation yet unborn or that are alive today is permanently broken in Jesus name amen.

God stirred up adversaries for Solomon

Then the Lord stirred up an adversary against Solomon, Hadad the Edomite; he was of royal descent in Edom. For it came about, when David was in Edom, and Joab the commander of the army had gone up to bury those killed [in battle] and had struck down every male in Edom (for Joab and all [the army of] Israel stayed there six months, until he had killed every male in Edom), that Hadad escaped to Egypt, he and some Edomites from his father’s servants with him, while Hadad was [still] a little boy. They set out from Midian [south of Edom] and came to Paran, and took men with them from Paran and came to Egypt, to Pharaoh king of Egypt, who gave [young] Hadad a house and ordered food and provisions for him and gave him land. Hadad found great favor with Pharaoh, so that he gave Hadad in marriage the sister of his own wife, the sister of Tahpenes the queen. The sister of Tahpenes gave birth to Genubath, Hadad’s son, whom Tahpenes weaned in Pharaoh’s house; and Genubath was in Pharaoh’s household among the sons of Pharaoh. But when Hadad heard in Egypt that David had died and that Joab the commander of the army was dead, Hadad said to Pharaoh, “Let me leave, so that I may go to my own country.” Then Pharaoh said to him, “But what have you lacked with me that now you ask to go to your own country?” He replied, “Nothing; nevertheless you must let me go.” God also stirred up another adversary for Solomon, Rezon the son of Eliada, who had fled from his master, Hadadezer king of Zobah.

1 Kings 11:14‭-‬23 AMP

https://bible.com/bible/1588/1ki.11.14-23.AMP

It's just a sad situation, these were adversaries that David had conquered in the past however there was a small boy that escaped. Now that Solomon had messed up old wounds are being opened, Carn of worms are unleashed. Solomon's thirst and desire for what contradicts his tsand with God put him at a disadvantage before this adversaries.

You might wonder but why did God do that. Exodus 34:14, Exodus 20:5-6 clearly states that we should not serve any God except the Most High and the He is a Jealous God (paraphrase).

You can't serve God and serve another god or gods and expect the Most High God to be the king of Kings in your life. Two masters can't rule a kingdom one must bow to the authority of the other.

Lord I pray that you open my eyes to see where I have been serving mammon unknowingly and help me to let go totally and focus on you in Jesus name amen.

1 Kings 11:26-40

 Document how Solomon started misbehaving, a distinct one was enforcing forced labour on Jeroboam and God favoured Jeroboam.

Then the Lord stirred up an adversary against Solomon, Hadad the Edomite; he was of royal descent in Edom. For it came about, when David was in Edom, and Joab the commander of the army had gone up to bury those killed [in battle] and had struck down every male in Edom (for Joab and all [the army of] Israel stayed there six months, until he had killed every male in Edom), that Hadad escaped to Egypt, he and some Edomites from his father’s servants with him, while Hadad was [still] a little boy. They set out from Midian [south of Edom] and came to Paran, and took men with them from Paran and came to Egypt, to Pharaoh king of Egypt, who gave [young] Hadad a house and ordered food and provisions for him and gave him land. Hadad found great favor with Pharaoh, so that he gave Hadad in marriage the sister of his own wife, the sister of Tahpenes the queen. The sister of Tahpenes gave birth to Genubath, Hadad’s son, whom Tahpenes weaned in Pharaoh’s house; and Genubath was in Pharaoh’s household among the sons of Pharaoh. But when Hadad heard in Egypt that David had died and that Joab the commander of the army was dead, Hadad said to Pharaoh, “Let me leave, so that I may go to my own country.” Then Pharaoh said to him, “But what have you lacked with me that now you ask to go to your own country?” He replied, “Nothing; nevertheless you must let me go.” God also stirred up another adversary for Solomon, Rezon the son of Eliada, who had fled from his master, Hadadezer king of Zobah.

1 Kings 11:14‭-‬23 AMP

https://bible.com/bible/1588/1ki.11.14-23.AMP

Again God repeated that He will take the kingdom away from Solomon but because of the love God had for David, he didn't entirely take the whole kingdom he still left one part out of twelve.

I pray that our descendants will not destroy our works before God or ruin the chances for the generation yet unborn due to their greed if the coming of Jesus tarries in Jesus name.

Solomon even attempted to kill Jeroboam. I think Solomon got confused, well, who wouldn't be confused serving multiple gods and having multiple wives and concubines is unhealthy you will definitely be confused. Solomon's spirit man must have been conflicted against itself, because he was in the light and slowly deviated into darkness through his wives. 

Marriage is a holy thing, having multiple wives can easily turn marriage to a trap of hell on earth. At times it's not even about multiple wives as in the count it can be the stand of your spouse with God. A person can be just one physically but still carry legion of unclean spirit hence the reason one must not just marry anyine or sleep with anybody outside of the covenant of God and marriage because your body is the temple of God and what you allow into it can defile it because easy deposit of negativity can easily become the main thing in the life of that person.

Solomon died after ruling for 40 years. His son Rehoboam became the king after Solomon's death.

1 Kings 12

Rehoboam started behaving foolishly according to the Bible.

Rehoboam went to Shechem, for all Israel had come to Shechem to make him king. Now when Jeroboam the son of Nebat heard about it, he was living in Egypt (for he was still in Egypt, where he had fled from King Solomon). So they sent word and called for him, and Jeroboam and all the assembly of Israel came and spoke to Rehoboam, saying, “Your father made our yoke (burden) heavy; so now lighten the hard labor and the heavy yoke your father imposed on us, and we will serve you.” Rehoboam replied to them, “Leave for three days, then come back to me [for my decision].” So the people left. King Rehoboam consulted with the elders who had served and advised his father Solomon while he was still alive and said, “How do you advise me to answer this people?” They spoke to him, saying, “If you will be a servant to this people today, and will serve them and grant their request, and speak good words to them, then they will be your servants forever.” But he ignored the advice which the elders gave him and consulted the young men who grew up with him and served him. He said to them, “What do you advise that we answer this people who have said to me, ‘Lighten the yoke (burden) which your father put on us’?” The young men who had grown up with him answered, “This is what you should say to this people who told you, ‘Your father made our yoke heavy, but as for you, make our yoke lighter’—say this to them: ‘My little finger is thicker than my father’s loins [and my reign will be even more severe]. And now, whereas my father loaded you with a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke. My father disciplined you with whips, but I will discipline you with scorpions.’ ” Jeroboam and all the people came back to Rehoboam on the third day, just as the king had instructed, saying, “Return to me on the third day.” The king answered the people harshly and ignored the advice which the elders had given him, and spoke to them in accordance with the advice of the young men, saying, “My father made your yoke heavy, but as for me, I will add to your yoke; my father disciplined you with whips, but I will discipline you with scorpions.” So the king did not listen to the people; for the situation was from the Lord, so that He might fulfill His word which He spoke through Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam the son of Nebat.

1 Kings 12:1‭-‬15 AMP

https://bible.com/bible/1588/1ki.12.1-15.AMP

Rehoboam was the worse version of Solomon.  He fail to acknowledge the wishes of the people he was ruling over, he made their situation worse compared t when his father was ruling. This is just wrong, the Bible confirms that when the wicked is in power the people suffer Provers 29:2.

It is important to pray for people in position of authority, either you voted them in, they inherited it or whichever means they became the leader pray that their hearts will be governed by the truth and the fear of God. Even if they are not a person of same faith as you are, God can use anyone to fulfill His purpose in the lives of His people. Rehoboam was wicked and heartless on nature, although the elders gave him the right advise but he took a decision that was against the advise they gave him and against the will of God. He didn't even consult God. Power can make people act like demi or semi gods.

The kingdom of Israel divided as it was prophecies thanks to Rehoboam

Rehoboam went to Shechem, for all Israel had come to Shechem to make him king. Now when Jeroboam the son of Nebat heard about it, he was living in Egypt (for he was still in Egypt, where he had fled from King Solomon). So they sent word and called for him, and Jeroboam and all the assembly of Israel came and spoke to Rehoboam, saying, “Your father made our yoke (burden) heavy; so now lighten the hard labor and the heavy yoke your father imposed on us, and we will serve you.” Rehoboam replied to them, “Leave for three days, then come back to me [for my decision].” So the people left. King Rehoboam consulted with the elders who had served and advised his father Solomon while he was still alive and said, “How do you advise me to answer this people?” They spoke to him, saying, “If you will be a servant to this people today, and will serve them and grant their request, and speak good words to them, then they will be your servants forever.” But he ignored the advice which the elders gave him and consulted the young men who grew up with him and served him. He said to them, “What do you advise that we answer this people who have said to me, ‘Lighten the yoke (burden) which your father put on us’?” The young men who had grown up with him answered, “This is what you should say to this people who told you, ‘Your father made our yoke heavy, but as for you, make our yoke lighter’—say this to them: ‘My little finger is thicker than my father’s loins [and my reign will be even more severe]. And now, whereas my father loaded you with a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke. My father disciplined you with whips, but I will discipline you with scorpions.’ ” Jeroboam and all the people came back to Rehoboam on the third day, just as the king had instructed, saying, “Return to me on the third day.” The king answered the people harshly and ignored the advice which the elders had given him, and spoke to them in accordance with the advice of the young men, saying, “My father made your yoke heavy, but as for me, I will add to your yoke; my father disciplined you with whips, but I will discipline you with scorpions.” So the king did not listen to the people; for the situation was from the Lord, so that He might fulfill His word which He spoke through Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam the son of Nebat.

1 Kings 12:1‭-‬15 AMP

https://bible.com/bible/1588/1ki.12.1-15.AMP

The lesson here is important, although there was a prophecy but there was someone that needs to be the vessel to carry it out. Just like Judas was the vessel used to betray Jesus even though he did it out of greed but he had to be the one to play out that script.

Lord under no circumstances do not allow my family and I to be used to carry out evil script or prophecies in Jesus name. 

It came about when all Israel heard that Jeroboam had returned, that they sent word and called him to the assembly and made him king over all Israel. None followed the house of David except the tribe of Judah [including Benjamin]. Now when Rehoboam arrived in Jerusalem, he assembled all the [fighting men from the] house of Judah, with the tribe of Benjamin, 180,000 chosen warriors, to fight against the house of Israel to bring the kingdom back to Rehoboam the son of Solomon. But the word of God came to Shemaiah the man of God, saying, “Tell Rehoboam the son of Solomon, king of Judah, and all the house (fighting men) of Judah and Benjamin and the rest of the people, ‘Thus says the Lord, “You shall not go up and fight against your brothers, the sons of Israel. Let every man return to his house, for this thing has come about from Me.” ’ ” So they listened to the word of the Lord and returned to go home, in accordance with the word of the Lord.

1 Kings 12:20‭-‬24 AMP

https://bible.com/bible/1588/1ki.12.20-24.AMP

Jeroboam became the King of Israel upon his return to Israel and God sent a prophet to Rehoboam not to go against Jeroboam. Life we are all playing out the script that has been written having said that we have the choice to do right by God always.

1 Kings 12:25-33

 Documented  how Jeroboam messed up because he doubted God and he slipped into idolatry.

Then Jeroboam built Shechem [as his royal city] in the hill country of Ephraim and lived there. He went out from there and rebuilt Penuel [as a stronghold]. Jeroboam [doubted God’s promise to him and] said in his heart, “Now the kingdom will return to the house of David. If these people go up to the house of the Lord in Jerusalem to offer sacrifices, then their heart will turn to their Lord, to Rehoboam king of Judah; and they will kill me and return to Rehoboam king of Judah.” So the king took counsel [and followed bad advice] and made two calves of gold. And he said to the people, “It is too much for you to go [all the way] up to Jerusalem; behold your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt.”

1 Kings 12:25‭-‬28 AMP

https://bible.com/bible/1588/1ki.12.25-28.AMP

It's ridiculous that someone God saved from the arms of Solomon and warned Rehoboam not to go after him doubted God because he thought within him the people will want to return. He went further to seek ungodly counsel and followed it. 

No matter where we find ourselves in life never doubt God, never doubt His power, His ability or His promises. Never replace godly counsel with ungodly counsel. Don't allow power and position to make you relegate the position of God in your life. Without God you probably wouldn't have gotten that position, acknowledge Him all the way and don't idolised the gift above the giver of the gift (God almighty).