I. CAUSES OF DIVISION.

1. Rivalry Between Tribes.— There had been a feeling of bitterness and envy for a long time between the tribes of the south, and those of the north. During the reigns of David and Solomon the tribe of Ephraim was restless because Judah furnished the king.

2. Rehoboam's Folly (1 Kings 12:12-16).— The nation already groaned under an unbearable burden of taxes, and Rehoboam,. brought up amid the luxuries of the royal court, could not sympathize with the people. When they asked to have the burden of taxation made lighter the foolish king only threatened to increase it. The people revolted and Rehoboam lost more than half of his kingdom.

3. Jeroboam's Ambition (1 Kings 12:2-5).— Jeroboam belonged to the tribe of Ephraim, and it was unfortunate for the kingdom that Solomon had made him superintendent and collector of taxes in his own tribe. He became acquainted with the oppressions of the people, he learned of their dissatisfaction, and he was ambitious to become their leader. The prophet Ahijah foretold that he should become king over ten of the tribes, and when Solomon learned of it he would have put Jeroboam to death, but he fled to Egypt, where he remained in safety until after Solomon's death. Then the ten tribes called him to be their king.

II. THE PERIOD OF MUTUAL HOSTILITY. — Solomon's great empire was broken into the kingdoms of Syria, Israel and Judah. During the first fifty years after the division these kingdoms each sought the supremacy, and there was constant hostility between them. The Twelve Tribes which God had chosen to be a great nation were now divided into two weak kingdoms, each. seeking the other's downfall.

1. The Revolt of the Ten Tribes (1 Kings 12:1-24).— Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, was legal heir to the throne of united Israel. He called an assembly at Shechem for public recognition of his title, but the people came to demand redress for their grievances. Rehoboam refused and the Ten Tribes of the north revolted and made Jeroboam king, while Rehoboam fled to Jerusalem and became king over the tribes of Judah and Benjamin. Edom remained subject to Judah and Moab to Israel.

2. The Career of Jeroboam.

(1) His Fortifications (1 Kings 12:25).— He fortified Shechem in order to guard his realm against the invasion of Judah. At Shechem he set up his capital. He also fortified Penuel east of the Jordan in order to secure his eastern border against Syria.

(2) His System of False Worship (1 Kings 12:26-13:11).— Jeroboam saw that he must break the bonds of religion that united the two kingdoms, and in order to keep his subjects from going up to the feast at Jerusalem he set up two golden calves, one at Bethel and one at Dan, and made a new order of priests from the lowest of the people, and in imitation of the Passover proclaimed a general feast. At this feast the young prophet from Judah denounced his idolatry and declared that men's bones should be burned on his altar.

(3) The Invasion of Judah (2 Chron. 13:2-20).— There was war between Jeroboam and Rehoboam all their days, and when Abijah, the son of Rehoboam, came to the throne of Judah he made a determined effort to regain control over the ten tribes. In a great battle in the mountains of Ephraim he defeated Jeroboam's army and captured several cities in the southern part of Jeroboam's kingdom, among which was the idol city of Bethel. Jeroboam never recovered from this defeat, and soon afterward he died.

3. The Career of Rehoboam.

(1) His Defense (2 Chron. 11:1-12).— Rehoboam's first impulse was to punish his rebellious subjects of the north, and he collected an army of 180,000 soldiers. But the prophet Shemaiah forbade civil war; Rehoboam hearkened to him and proceeded to fortify cities to defend the borders of Judah and Benjamin. Fifteen fenced cities guarded the borders of his realm while he reigned in Jerusalem.

(2) Refugees from Israel (2 Chron. 11:13-17).— Jeroboam having deposed all the priests and Levites in his kingdom, they resorted to Rehoboam, and the kingdom of Judah was strengthened by them and by all those who worshiped Jehovah.

(3) His Sins and Punishment (2 Chron. 12:1-16).— Rehoboam walked in the ways of the Lord a few years and then, forgetting the law of God, he married many wives and began to introduce idolatry into his kingdom, and, in the fifth year the Lord sent Shishak, king of Egypt, to punish him. He came up with an immense host and besieged Jerusalem. Rehoboam was forced to purchase peace by delivering up many of the treasures of the palace and the Temple. After that Rehoboam repented and the condition of his country was improved; but he died soon afterward.

4. The Career of Asa.

(1) His Reformation (2 Chron. 14:1-15). — Asa had no sooner gained the throne than he began a great religious reform in Judah, removing the idols that Rehoboam had set up and commanding the people to seek the Law of God, thus restoring the worship of Jehovah. He fortified several frontier cities and equipped a large army, with which he defeated the hosts of Zerah, the Ethiopian who invaded his territory.

(2) His Alliance with Syria (2 Chron. 16:1-10).— For some time Asa's kingdom enjoyed peace, but this was now disturbed by the hostility of Baasha, king of Israel, who had recovered the cities Jeroboam had lost and had fortified Raman, only six miles north of Jerusalem. Fearing that he might lay siege to Jerusalem, Asa sent presents to Benhadad of Syria and persuaded him to break alliance with Baasha and attack some of the cities in northern Israel. This compelled Baasha to withdraw from Ramah, and Asa destroyed the fort. Asa's alliance with a heathen king was severely rebuked by Hanani.

III. PERIOD OF MUTUAL ALLIANCE.

The growing power of Syria in the north threatened the destruction of both Israel and Judah, and they made alliance with each other to resist Syria's encroachments.

1. The Career of Jehoshaphat.

(1) His Reformation (2 Chron. 17:1-19).— After Jehoshaphat had garrisoned his frontier cities he began his reformation with great zeal. He took away the high places and groves in Judah and sent a commission of priests and Levites to teach the people the Law of the Lord. His reformation was more thorough than Asa's, for it was established by instruction in the Law. Jehoshaphat was rewarded by a victory over the Philistines and Arabians.

(2) His Relations with Israel (2 Chron. 18:1-34).— All hostilities had been laid aside between Judah and Israel and Jehoshaphat had joined affinity with Ahab by the marriage of his son with Athaliah, the daughter of Ahab. Shortly afterwards Jehoshaphat visited the king of Israel and Ahab suggested that they join their armies and recapture Ramoth-gilead from the hands of the Syrians. Jehoshaphat desired that they might first learn the will of God, declining to accept the advice of Ahab's four hundred false prophets. Ahab brought Micaiah, a prophet of God, and he foretold the death of Ahab. The prophecy was fulfilled, for on the next day Ahab was slain in battle and then Jehoshaphat returned to Jerusalem. One of the prophets sternly rebuked him for his alliance with Israel and he thenceforth devoted his time to the welfare of his kingdom. He put judges in all of the fenced cities, established tribunals and attempted to establish the worship of Jehovah among his people.

2. The Career of Ahab.

(1) Introduction of Baal Worship (1 Kings 16:20-34).— With Ahab the worship of Baal was introduced into Israel. He married Jezebel, daughter of the king of Sidon, and through her influence a temple was erected to Baal near the royal palace of Samaria, and 850 prophets of these Phoenician gods ate at her table (1 Kings 18:16). She sought the lives of the prophets of Jehovah, and they hid in dens and caves.

(2) Siege of Samaria (1 Kings 20:1-43).— During Ahab's reign the Syrians waxed strong against him. Benhadad III, in alliance with thirty-two kings, besieged Samaria; but they were repulsed with great loss. Next year Benhadad returned, but again he was defeated with great loss, and Israel might have been free from the power of Syria had not Ahab foolishly made an alliance with Benhadad.

3. Elijah's Protest Against Baal Worship.

Elijah the Tishbite, one of the most remarkable men of Israel, appears suddenly on the pages of sacred history to resist the advance of Baal worship among the chosen people.

(1) The Famine (1 Kings i 7:1-24).-Elijah suddenly appeared to the idolatrous Ahab and announced that no rain or dew should fall for three and a half years (Luke 4:25). Elijah then fled to a hiding place by the brook Cherith, where the Lord cared for him. But at length the stream failed and the prophet was directed to a widow of Zarephath in Phoenicia He found that she had only a handful of meal and a little oil and she was gathering sticks to make the last cake for her' self and her son; but at the bidding of Elijah she made him a little cake first, and as a reward her meal and her oil failed not during the famine. Ere long this widow's son died, and she imputed this trial to her mysterious guest. Elijah restored him to life, and she was convinced that he was truly a prophet of God.

(2) The Controversy on Carmel (1 Kings 18:1-46). — The people of Israel had suffered much on account of the drought. Their sheep, cattle and horses perished, yet Ahab would not repent and turn toward Jehovah. At length Elijah met him and challenged a contest with the prophets of Baal. Eight hundred and fifty prophets of Baal, with a vast concourse of people, met Elijah on Mt. Carmel. Elijah stood alone on Jehovah's side. Baal's priests built an altar and Elijah built an altar. The test as to the true God turned on the answer by fire. All day the false prophets cried to Baal, but their sacrifices were not burned. In the evening Elijah drenched his sacrifices and altar with water, and when he called upon Jehovah his sacrifices were consumed. Jehovah worship had won the day, and Elijah ordered the false prophets to be slain. Then Elijah bade Ahab hasten to his palace, for rain was at hand, in answer to the prophet's prayer. Elijah ran before him, while Ahab urged his chariot on and they both found shelter in Jezreel.

(3) Elijah's Flight from Jezebel (1 Kings 19:1-18). — Just when Elijah's triumph seemed complete, Jezebel threatened his life, and he fled towards Beersheba. Discouraged and exhausted, he lay down under a juniper tree and prayed that he might die; but as he slept the angel of the Lord touched him and he was fed and commanded to go to Mt. Horeb, where the Lord came to him. Elijah urged that all his work for Jehovah had been in vain. The Lord bade him stand before him. First came a mighty wind, then a great earthquake, and then a fire blazed forth; but the Lord was in none of these. In a still small voice God spoke to him, and Elijah learned that though he was alone there was yet something to do. The Lord had yet 7,000 faithful ones in Israel who had never bowed to Baal, and the work of reformation should go on. Elijah was to anoint Hazael king over Syria, Jehu king over Israel, and Elisha to be his own successor, a prophet of God.

(4) Denunciation of the Murder of Naboth (1 Kings 21:1-29),— Elijah bravely confronted the weak and wicked Ahab at Jezreel, denounced the cruel murder of Naboth and declared that Ahab's house should be destroyed and that Jezebel, the guiltier of the two, should be eaten by dogs by the wall of Jezreel where they had licked up the blood of Naboth. Ahab rent his clothes, fasted and repented, and Elijah pronounced that this doom should not fall upon his house as long as Ahab lived.

(5) Elijah and Ahaziah (2 Kings 1:1-16).— Ahaziah succeeded his father Ahab to the throne of Israel. During his reign the Syrians had so encroached upt p his territory that he was no longer able to control Moab. Ahaziah, having severely injured himself by falling through a lattice, sent messengers to Baal-zebub to inquire whether he should recover. Elijah met the messengers and sent them back to tell the king that he should surely die. When the king heard it he sent a company of fifty soldiers to capture the prophet, but they were consumed by fire that came forth at Elijah's word. A second company was sent and was likewise destroyed. But the third captain implored the prophet to descend, and they together went before the king and announced his doom.

(6) The Prophetic Schools (2 Kings 2:2-5). — It seems that the latter part of Elijah's life was devoted to the teaching of young men in the Schools of the Prophets and training them to oppose Baal worship. Such schools were established at Bethel, Gilgal and Jericho and probably at many other places throughout the country.

(7) Elijah's Translation (2 Kings 2:6-11). — Elijah and Elisha were together and had gone from one school to another. When they came to the brink of the Jordan Elijah parted the waters by smiting them with his mantle. They crossed over, and suddenly there appeared a chariot of fire and carried the prophet to heaven.

4. Elisha the Successor of Elijah (1 Kings 19:19-21). — Elisha had been called from the plow to follow Elijah. He was the prophet's constant attendant, and was thus prepared to fill the prophet's office after Elijah's departure. Having received his master's prophetic mantle and a double portion of his spirit, he turned from the scene of the translation and performed many miracles among the people.

(1) Dividing the Jordan (2 Kings 2:14, 15).

(2) Healing the Waters of Jericho (2 Kings 2:19-22).

(3) Destroying the Children of Bethel (2 Kings 2:23, 24)

(4) Miraculous Supply of Water for the Armies (2 Kings 3:9-24).

(5) Multiplying the Widow's Oil (2 Kings 4:1-7).

(6) Raising the Shunammite's Son to Life (2 Kings 3:18-37).

(7) Healing the Poisonous Pottage at Gilgal (2 Kings 4:38-41).

(8) Miraculous Feeding of a Hundred Men (2 Kings 4:42-44).

(9) Healing Naaman of Leprosy (2 Kings 5:1-19).

(10) Smiting Gehazi with Leprosy (2 Kings 5:20-27).

(11) Causing the Ax to Swim (2 Kings 6:1-7).

(12) Smiting the Syrian Host with Blindness (2 Kings 6:8-23).

These many miracles that Elisha wrought had caused his fame to spread and naturally strengthened the religion of Jehovah in the kingdom of, Israel. But the Syrians were still oppressing them, and they finally laid siege to Samaria and reduced the people to direst extremities. King Jehoram told Elisha to cease worshiping Jehovah if the people must suffer thus, whereupon Elisha foretold that on the morrow food would be plentiful in Samaria. These words were fulfilled that night, for the Syrians, alarmed by some mysterious voice, fled in confusion, leaving vast stores of food behind them (2 Kings 6:24 7:20).

With the anointing of Jehu king over Israel Elisha's public career ended, for by force of the sword Jehu was destined to destroy Baal worship. But the prophet lived until the reign of Joash, grandson of Jehu. Even after his burial his power to perform miracles did not cease, for his bones touching another dead body revived it, and the man stood on his feet (2 Kings 13:20,21).

IV. REMOVAL OF MUTUAL HOSTILITY.

1. The Career of Jehu — By the command of Elisha Jehu was anointed king over Israel and commissioned to destroy the house of Ahab and put an end to Baal worship. At the time of his anointing Jehu was captain over some of Ahab's soldiers, and as soon as the soldiers learned of it they blew their trumpets and shouted, "Jehu is king."

(1) Slaying the Two Kings (2 Kings 9:14-27).— Being anointed at Ramoth-gilead, Jehu knew that his success in destroying Ahab's house depended upon the speed of his movements before any suspicioned his intentions. He drove furiously toward Jezreel, and having detained two messengers whom Jehoram had sent out, he encountered Jehoram himself and Ahaziah, king of Judah. He slew Jehoram and then pursued Ahaziah, overtook and fatally wounded him, so that he died at Megiddo.

(2) Destruction of Jezebel (2 Kings 9:30-37).— Having slain the two kings, Jehu hastened back to Jezreel, where Jezebel still was influential. When she heard of Jehu's approach she "painted her face and tired her head" and reproached him when he passed her window. At Jehu's bidding the servants cast the wicked queen from an upper story into the street, and Jehu's horses trod upon her. The dogs ate her body in fulfillment of Elijah's prophecy.

(3) Destruction of Ahab"s Family (2 Kings 10:1-11). — Jehu's next step was to destroy the sons and grandsons who lived at Samaria under the care of the elders. Terrified at Jehu's challenge, the elders yielded to his wishes, slew the seventy princes and sent their heads to Jezreel.

(4) Murder of Ahaziah' s Brethren (2 Kings 10:12-17). — Fully assured of the elders' faithfulness, Jehu himself started to Samaria. On the way he met forty-two of Ahaziah's brethren and ordered them to be put to death.

(5) The Destruction of Baal Worshipers (2 Kings 10:18-28).— Jehu convened all the worshipers of Baal on the pretense of celebrating a feast in honor of Baal. At the close of the feast eighty trusty warriors, who had been secretly instructed, rushed in and massacred the whole assembly, thus striking the final blow against Baal worship.

2. The Career of Athaliah (2 Kings 11:1-3).— When Athaliah heard of the death of her son Ahaziah, she put to death all the seed royal save Joash, the infant son of Ahaziah, who was concealed in the temple by the good priest Jehoiada. Athaliah usurped supreme power and for seven years reigned in Judah and sought to establish Baal worship.

3. The Career of Joash (2 Kings 11:4:-5:21).— The priest Jehoiada rallied about him all the supporters of the house of David, and bringing Joash, a boy of eight years, into the temple, he anointed him king. When Athaliah saw her grandson in royal garments she raised the cry of treason, but she was immediately slain. Then the people entered into a solemn covenant to serve Jehovah, and they at once destroyed the temple of Baal and broke down its altars and images. During the lifetime of Jehoiada, Joash ruled wisely, repaired the temple and sought to establish the worship of the temple. But when the high priest died Joash was led astray by the wicked princes. He revived Baal worship and slew Zechariah, the son of his benefactor (2 Chron. 24:15-22). But Joash was punished for his sins. The Syrians defeated him with great loss and carried away many of the treasures of the Temple. The king was soon afterward murdered by two of his servants.

4. The Career of Amaziah (2 Kings 14:1-20).— He first slew the murderers of his father and then proceeded to punish the Edomites who had revolted and hired soldiers from Israel. By the advice of a prophet he sent the Israelites home and then defeated the Edomites with great slaughter. The Israelites on their return had ravaged some towns of Judah, and Amaziah challenged Jehoash of Israel to battle, in which battle Amaziah was defeated and carried captive to Jerusalem, where Jehoash broke down the walls and pillaged the Temple.

5. The Career of Jeroboam II. (2 Kings 14:23-27).— Jeroboam II. has been aptly called the second Solomon, for he conquered the Syrians and recovered all the territory of Moab and Ammon. For a short season Israel seemed to be very prosperous but clouds soon again gathered, for idolatry, the root of their trouble, had not been removed. It was during this reign that Jonah was sent as a missionary to Nineveh.

6. The Career of Uzziah (2 Kings 15:1-7).— Uzziah reigned fifty-two years in Judah and made successful conquests against the Philistines and the Arabians and recovered Elath, the famous seaport at the head of the Gulf of Akaba. But in his prosperity his heart was lifted up against God and he entered the Holy Place to offer incense. He was smitten with leprosy for this deed and compelled to live in a separate house.

7. The Career of Menahem (2 Kings 15:14-22).— After the death of Jeroboam II. the kingdom of Israel fell into a state of anarchy and confusion. Finally Menahem usurped the throne. During his reign, Pul, king of Assyria, appeared with a large army and Menahem exacted from the people a thousand talents of silver to buy peace. This was the first step of subjection to Assyria.

8. The Career of Ahaz (2 Kings 16:1-20). — Ahaz was one of the most wicked kings of Judah. Pekah, king of Israel, and Resin, king of Syria, made league against him and carried away a number of captives. Resin captured Elath, on the Red Sea and planted a Syrian colony there. Ahaz took of the treasures of the Temple and sent them to Tiglath-pileser in order to secure his assistance. Tiglath-pileser captured Damascus, slew Resin and carried off a number of the people in the northern tribes of Israel. But Ahaz gained little by his foreign alliance. He was compelled to come to Damascus to do homage to Tiglath-pileser and there he comformed to the idolatries of the place and ordered the priest to erect a similar altar in the temple where Ahaz himself offered sacrifices. It was during the reign of Ahaz that the great prophet Isaiah appeared as adviser of the king.

9. The Captivity of Israel (2 Kings 17:1-41).— After the reign of Pekah, anarchy again prevailed, and the future of Israel looked more and more gloomy. Hoshea, the son of Elah, was the last king but he had not long occupied the throne until Shalmanezer, of Assyria, successor of Tiglath-pileser, laid siege to Samaria, but Shalmanezer was obliged to withdraw to Damascus at the end of three years on account of a revolt headed by Sargon, who succeeded in gaining the Assyrian crown. Sargon renewed the siege of Samaria in 721 B. C, captured the city and removed the best of the people to various provinces in his own kingdom. The poorest in the land were allowed to remain and Sargon brought colonies from various places to occupy the land of Israel. These heathen colonists, mingling with the Israelites left in the land, constitute the mixed race of Samaritans.

QUESTIONS.

• What is the opening and closing event of this chapter?

• Give the date of each.

• Name the causes of the division of the kingdom.

• Give the weakness of Rehoboam as a ruler.

• Give history of Jeroboam.

• Name the ten tribes.

• Why did they rebel?

• What system of worship had Jeroboam?

• What victory did Rehoboam gain?

• What did the prophet tell Rehoboam?

• What had the prophet told Jeroboam?

• What were Rehoboam's sins and his punishment?,

• What was Asa's first work when he was made king? \

• Who rebuked him for his alliance with Syria?

• State the rebuke.

• What causes led to mutual alliance of Judah and Israel?

• What was Jehoshaphat's first work when he was made king?

• How were Judah and Israel brought on friendly terms?

• What had foretold the, death of Ahab?

• What work did Jehoshaphat do after returning to Jerusalem?

• What was his rebuke?

• Whom did Ahab marry?

• What evil influence did she exert?

• What worship did they introduce?

• What was the mission of Elijah?

• What was his prophecy?

• Where did he hide and how was he cared for?

• Describe his great victory on Mt. Carmel.

• Why did Elijah flee from Jezebel?

• Describe Elijah under the juniper tree?

• What was his experience at Mt. Horeb?

• What was Elijah's prophecy concerning Ahab and his house?

• What his relation with Ahaziah?

• Where did Elijah do his last great work and what influence had it on the future?

• Where was Elijah translated?

• What does it mean?

• What power did Elisha receive from him?

• Name the miracles of Elisha?

• What was the prophecy and fulfillment concerning Syria's oppression in

• Samaria? Where did Elisha anoint Jehu?

• What effect had it on the people?

• Name the kings that he slew in both kingdoms?

• How was Jezebel put to death?

• What further punishment did Jthu bring upon Ahab's house?

• hat further destruction in Ahaziah's hous??

• What did he do to destroy Baal worship?

• Give the account of Athaliah in Jerusalem.

• Who was Joash and how old was he when he was made king?

• Who was Jehoiada and what was his mission?

• What effect had Jehoiada's death on Joash?

• What was the first work of Ahaziah?

• Who destroyed the wall at Jerusalem?

• How did Jeroboam II. receive the name second Solomon?

• Where was Jonah sent?

• Who was Uzziah and what his sin?

• What king of Assyria first put Israel under tribute?

• How did Ahab arrange to secure the favor of Tiglath-pileser?

• Who was the last king in Israel?

• Who laid siege to Samaria?

• Who carried the ten tribes into captivity?

• Who were the Samaritans?

• Who was the great prophet who lived in Judah at this time?

REVIEW.

I. Causes of Division.

1. Rivalry between the Tribes.

2. Rehoboam's Folly.

3. Jeroboam's Ambition.

II. The Period of Mutual Hostility.

1. Revolt of the Ten Tribes.

2. The Career of Jeroboam: (1) His Fortifications, (2) His System of False Worship, (3) The Invasion of Judah.

3. The Career of Rehoboam: (1) His Defense, (2) Refugees from Israel, (3) His Sins and Punishment.

4. The Career of Asa: (1) His Reformation, (2) His Alliance with Syria.

III. The Period of riutual Alliance.

1. The Career of Jehoshaphat:

(1) His Reformation,

(2) His Relations with Israel.

2. The Career of Ahab:

(1) Introduction of Baal Worship,

(2) Siege of Samaria.

3. Elijah's Protest against Baal Worship:

(1) The Famine,

(2) The Controversy on Carmel,

(3) Elijah's Flight from Jezebel,

(4) Denunciation of the Murder of Naboth,

(5) Elijah and Ahaziah,

(6) The Prophetic Schools,

(7) Elijah's Translation.

4. Elisha the Successor of Elijah:

(1) Dividing the Jordan,

(2) Healing the Waters of Jericho,

(3) Destroying the Children of Bethel,

(4) Miraculous Supply of Water for the Armies,

(5) Multiplying the Widow's Oil,

(6) Raising the Shunammite's Son to Life,

(7) Healing the Poisonous Pottage at Gilgal,

(8) Miraculous Feeding of a Hundred Men,

(9) Healing Naaman of Leprosy,

(10) Smiting Gehazi with Leprosy,

(11) Causing the Ax to Swim,

(12) Smiting the Syrian Host with Blindness.

IV. Removal of mutual Hostility.

1. The Career of Jehu:

(1) Slaying the Two Kings,

(2) Destruction of Jezebel,

(3) Destruction of Ahab's Family,

(4) Murder of Ahaziah's Brethren,

(5) The Destruction of Baal Worshipers.

2. The Career of Athaliah.

3. The Career of Joash.

4. The Career of Amaziah.

5. The Career of Jeroboam II.

6. The Career of Uzziah.

7. The Career of Menahem.

8. The Career of Ahaz.

9. The Captivity of Israel.