Justin Houtz

1 Kings 12; 2 Chronicles 10-11; Philippians 2

DateVersionReading Plan
June 12, 2026ESV (2016)ESV Life Journal Plan – 2026

1 Kings 12

Observation & Interpretation

Rehoboam took over kingship of Israel after the passing of David. Jeroboam and the assembly of elders asked that their load be lightened. Rehoboam told them to go away and return after three days. Rehoboam then took counsel with the young men whom he had grown up with who told Rehoboam to increase the load. Rehoboam took the counsel of the young men rather than the old men. The turn of events was brought about by the LORD that He might fulfill His word which was spoken by Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam (1 Kings 11:30-39)

When all Israel saw that Rehoboam did not listen to them, they answered the king that they had no inheritance in the son of Jesse. They made Jeroboam king over all Israel and there was none who followed the house of David but the tribe of Judah. There was infighting between Israel and Judah, but Shemaiah, the man of God, spoke on behalf of the LORD that they were not to fight against their relatives.

Fearful that Israel would turn back to the house of David, Jeroboam sought counsel and made two calves of gold. This became a sin for Israel and temples were made along with priests. Jeroboam appointed a feast on the fifteenth day of the eighth month like the feast in Judah and sacrifices were made on the altar.

2 Chronicles 10-11

Observation & Interpretation

These chapters provide a very similar account to 1 Kings 12; Rehoboam taking the counsel of the young men, the rebellion of the people and the division that resulted. The tribes of Judah and Benjamin were with Rehoboam while the rest were with Jeroboam. The priests and Levites left their common lands and came to Judah and Jerusalem because Jeroboam and his sons cast them out as priests of the LORD. They strengthened the kingdom for three years and made Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, secure. The remainder of the chapter pertains primarily to Rehoboams family and his multiple wives, among whom Rehoboam loved Maacah most. Rehoboam dealt wisely and distributed his sons through all the districts of Judah, giving abundant provisions and procuring wives for them.

Philippians 2

Observation & Interpretation

Paul exhorted the church to proceed in humility, counting others more significant than themselves. He spoke of how Jesus, though He was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasp, but rather emptied Himself by taking the form of a servant. He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore, God has highly exalted Jesus so that at His name every knee should bow, in heaven and earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Paul told the church to work out their salvation with fear and trembling, to do all things without grumbling or disputing. They were to hold fast to the Word of life, so that in the day of Christ he may be proud that he did not run in vain. They were to be glad and rejoice with him.

Paul hoped to send them Timothy as soon as he knew how it would go with him, trusting in the Lord that he would come also. He thought it necessary to send them Epaphroditus as he had been longing for them all. Paul was eager to send him that they may rejoice in seeing him again, for he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in their service to Paul.

Resources