1. A Kingdom Divided: Trouble in the Promised Land
1 Kings 12 – 2 Kings – end of Old Testament

2. I. Problems leading to the Division of the Kingdom:
921 BC
Solomon’s sins: foreign women (adultery), altars for their gods (idolatry) & overtaxing/enslaving Israelites
Divided Kingdom
Rehoboam’s hard heart: “I will beat you with scorpions”
Rehoboam’s hypocrisy: change in taxation, Solomon’s treasures, refusal to listen to elders & God
Split
ten tribes seceded and formed Israel (Northern Kingdom)
Jeroboam ruled Israel, Rehoboam ruled Judah (Judah and Benjamin)

3. II. Problems in the Divided Kingdom:
Idolatry
- Rehoboam followed in Solomon’s footsteps
Jeroboam built false altars and images
Jeroboam feared Israel’s reunification: worshiped Baal – built two golden calves at alternate ends of the country
This lead to the rise of prophets in the Northern Kingdom (Israel)
Who is Jeroboam
Ephraim
Advisor of Solomon
Chances for grace
Leader of a rebellion

5. III. Primitive Prophets:Elijah, Elisha, Hosea, Amos
Hiding from Ahab and Jezebel
Slaughtered the 450 prophets of Baal
Assumed into heaven by a fiery chariot
B. Elisha:
Successor to Elijah –continued the work of his predecessor
Known for ability to heal others (Namaan of leprosy)
C. Hosea:
Victim of an unfaithful wife – this influences prophecy
Described the relationship of God and Israel as a married couple: Israel cheats on God (idolatry) but God takes back the repentant “spouse”
Israel’s responsibility is to always be faithful
D. Amos:
- warned of destruction and end of world

7. IV. Menaces to Israel/Judah
Assyria – capital is Ninevah
- Always threatening both kingdoms – early on
- Most powerful kingdom of the time (short-lived)
- Destroyed Israel (north) in 721 BC
- Almost destroyed Judah (south) as well
Assyria is portrayed as an instrument of god’s judgment – punishment for forsaking covenant