After Solomon’s death Israel was divided into two: the northern part comprising ten tribes and the southern part consisting of two tribes bearing the name Judah. This division came as a result of Solomon’s disobedience. The Northern kingdom was led by Jeroboam while Judah was ruled by Rehoboam, Solomon’s son. Because the temple was still stationed in Jerusalem those in the Northern kingdom would still go there to worship. With this King Jeroboam became insecure, thinking that one day his people’s allegiance would go to king Rehoboam. He then sought counsel. The king followed bad counsel as we can see in the opening scripture: “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”. He made idols for the people to worship in the northern kingdom shrewdly convincing them that this option offers them comfort from their traveling to Jerusalem. This was called the sin of Jeroboam. He led Israel into the error of idol worship. 1 Kings 15:30 depicts God’s anger for this: “Because of the sins of Jeroboam which he sinned, and which he made Israel sin, by his provocation wherewith he provoked the LORD God of Israel to anger”. In moments when it seems like you are in a fix, don’t just go for what gives you comfort without considering what is on God’s heart. Jeroboam only cared about dealing with his insecurities without regarding what honors the Lord. He didn’t consider that it was of the Lord for him to be king over the northern kingdom (1 Kings 12:24).

He casted God behind him, which means he disregarded God as indicated in God’s report recorded in 1 Kings 14:9: “But hast done evil above all that were before thee: for thou hast gone and made thee other gods, and molten images, to provoke me to anger, and hast cast me behind thy back”. Always hold God’s will as primary on your heart. If any advice contradicts God’s direction, don’t take it, though it may sound nice. It is interesting to note that in the genesis of the division of the kingdom, Rehoboam ignored the right advice from elderly men and loved the terrible counsel of young men. 1 Kings 12:8 records:” But he forsook the counsel of the old men, which they had given him, and consulted with the young men that were grown up with him, and which stood before him”. This step catalyzed the division of the kingdom. Seek godly counsel from godly people who value God’s will above anything. Seek the counsel of the Holy Spirit. Scan the advice you receive from people with God’s word. Test all things and hold fast to that which is good (1 Thessalonians 5:21 NIV).