In Second Chronicles, chapter ten, verse one, marks the point when the nation of Israel seperated into two kingdoms. The northern kingdom was called Israel, the southern kingdom Judah. The main stream of Hebrew history is the southern kingdom of Judah. There is little history of the northern kingdom, while the attention is on the southern kingdom for three reasons. First, the people of Judah constituted the majority of the post-exilic remnant who returned to the Holy Land Judah remain the center of the worship of the Lord God, and Judah’s kings were David’s descendants and part of the covenant promise.
The chapter is about Rehoboam’s harsh rule. Rehoboam encounters Jeroboam, the son of Nebat. His request was to lighten the load from off the people. Rehoboam declares to Jeroboam togive him three days. Rehoboam took counsel to both the old and te young only to agree with the younger ones. Then he replies to the people of Israel that he will add more instead of lightening the load.
The ten tribes revolt from Rehoboam. Moderate counsels are wisest and best. Gentleness will do what violence will not do. Most people like to be accosted mildly. Good words cost only a little self-denial, yet they purchase great things.
No more needs to ruin men, than to leave them to their own pride and passion. Therefore, whatever are the devices of men, God is doing his own work by all and fulfilling the word. which he has spoken. No man can bequeath his prosperity to his heirs any more than his wisdom. Although, our children will generally be affected by our conduct, whether good or bad. Let us then seek those good things which will be our own for ever and crave the blessing of God upon our posterity in preference to wealth or worldly exaltation.