Justin Houtz

1 Kings 12, Mark 15

DateVersionReading Plan
October 30, 2025ESV (2016)OT/NT Plan 2025 – 2027

1 Kings 12

Observation & Interpretation

1 Kings 12:4 – The people told Rehoboam that Solomon had made their yoke heavy.

  • Would this be in reference to all the effort expended in the building of the temple, Solomon’s house and the house for Solomon’s wife? Possibly, but not necessarily.
  • made our yoke heavy Likely refers to heavy taxation (4:22-28) and perhaps forced labor (5:13-18). (FSB)

1 Kings 12:15 – Rehoboam did not listen to the people, which fulfilled the word of the Lord spoken by Ahijah the Shilonite.

  • This brings the events in line with the prophecy of Ahijah (11:29-39) and validates the division of the kingdom.

1 Kings 12:27-28 – Based on the perception that the hearts of the people would be turned back to the house of David if they offered sacrifices in the temple of the LORD, Jeroboam took counsel and made two calves for pagan worship. He told the people that these gods had brought them out of the land of Egypt.

  • Jeroboam’s counsel was rebellious against the Lord; did not recognize the true God.
  • In telling the people that these gods led them out of Egypt, Jeroboam was directly contradicting the true God who had actually delivered them.
  • Although other ancient religions made use of images of bulls, the context makes it clear that in 1 Kings the issue is not syncretism as much as it is repetition of the disobedience at Sinai. In the original golden calf incident, the issue was not so much replacing or remaking Yahweh with other gods as it was replacing or remaking him with a more controllable version…The same is true here. As he did in choosing his capital, Jeroboam is careful to lay hold of the ancient traditions of his people for his own political ends. (ESVEC – Comment)

Mark 15

Observation & Interpretation

Mark 15:46 – Mark records that Joseph of Arimathea rolled a stone over the tomb.

  • Joseph undoubtedly had servants help him accomplish a proper burial before sunset…The tomb was sealed shut with a circular flat stone that rolled down a sloping groove till it was securely in front of the entrance to keep out intruders. To roll that stone back up again would require the strength of several men. (The Bible Knowledge Commentary)

Mark 15:21-16:8 – Interestingly, those who oppose and ridicule Jesus speak and act only before the description of his death (15:21-36). Those who respect, trust, and follow Jesus are mentioned following the description of his death (15:39-47). (ESVEC – Section Overview)

Resources