December 24, 2024 1 Kings 12:16-24

December 24, 2024 1 Kings 12:16-24

16 And when all Israel saw that the king did not listen to them, the people answered the king, “What portion do we have in David? We have no inheritance in the son of Jesse. To your tents, O Israel! Look now to your own house, David.” So Israel went to their tents. 17 But Rehoboam reigned over the people of Israel who lived in the cities of Judah. 18 Then King Rehoboam sent Adoram, who was taskmaster over the forced labor, and all Israel stoned him to death with stones. And King Rehoboam hurried to mount his chariot to flee to Jerusalem. 19 So Israel has been in rebellion against the house of David to this day. 20 And when all Israel heard that Jeroboam had returned, they sent and called him to the assembly and made him king over all Israel. There was none that followed the house of David but the tribe of Judah only.

21 When Rehoboam came to Jerusalem, he assembled all the house of Judah and the tribe of Benjamin, 180,000 chosen warriors, to fight against the house of Israel, to restore the kingdom to Rehoboam the son of Solomon. 22 But the word of God came to Shemaiah the man of God: 23 “Say to Rehoboam the son of Solomon, king of Judah, and to all the house of Judah and Benjamin, and to the rest of the people, 24 ‘Thus says the Lord, You shall not go up or fight against your relatives the people of Israel. Every man return to his home, for this thing is from me.’” So they listened to the word of the Lord and went home again, according to the word of the Lord.

Why the king would think the people would respond to his harsh ways with anything other than hatred is beyond me.  My daughter told me recently that several people at her job asked her why she was being so nice to them.  It sounded like they thought she wanted something and that was the only reason someone is nice.  How sad in our world today that we assume someone has an agenda when they are nice.  Sometimes people have been mistreated that they become jaded and think the worst of everyone. 

Do you ever meet someone with your mind already made up about them?  If you find yourself having those thoughts and feelings, ask God to give you wisdom and peace and not pre-judge people or situations based on your history.  Share a smile with someone today.  You might be the only positive person they encounter today.

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