The Kingdom Divided
(1 Kings 12–13)
February 8, 2026
Sunday Recap
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Sunday Recap •
Hey Fams!
While King Solomon was known for his wisdom, he did not leave his kingdom better than he found it, for when he was old, his heart turned to other gods (1 Kings 11:4). In fact, the kingdom would now be divided because of his unfaithfulness to God. After Solomon died, his son Rehoboam became king and was confronted with a request from the people to lighten their labor. Rehoboam sought counsel from those who served with his father, and he also asked a group of his peers for advice.
King Rehoboam received wise counsel but then chose to ignore it. The elders who served with his father advised Rehoboam to be a servant to the people and speak kindly to them. Surely this approach would have established trust. Rehoboam, however, disregarded the elders’ input and chose to listen to a young group of friends instead. Their suggestion was to tell the people that Rehoboam was even more powerful than Solomon and would make their lives more difficult.
The people didn’t appreciate their new king’s aggressive posture toward them, and they rebelled against him. Rehoboam’s selfish pride resulted in all of Israel except for those living in the cities of Judah to seek Jeroboam as their king. The kingdom was divided, just as God said it would happen.
Rehoboam sought to be served instead of choosing to serve the people. True leadership, however, stems from service. Jesus willingly chose to serve us while we were still far from Him. As Romans 5:8 tells us, “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Have you ever completely disregarded sound wisdom or godly advice? Who we listen to matters. As you lead the children in your care, pray for God to help you listen to the wise counsel of His Holy Spirit. Remind kids that we can choose to follow God’s ways through faith in Jesus. Pray for these children know the one true God and to look to Christ as the ultimate example of true, selfless leadership.
** Next week: The Kingdom Divided (1 Kings 11-13)
Family Discipleship Plan
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Family Discipleship Plan •
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Read 1 Kings 12-13 from the Bible.
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The Liberty Bell in Philadelphia is one of America’s most famous symbols of freedom. It was meant to represent liberty and justice. When it rang for the first time, however, it cracked. No matter how many times workers tried to repair the bell, the crack remained. Eventually, the crack widened so much that the bell could no longer ring properly.
The divided kingdom of Israel is like the broken Liberty Bell. Under King David and King Solomon, the nation was strong and united. But when Solomon turned away from God, cracks began to form. By the time Rehoboam came to power, the kingdom shattered into two.
Rehoboam was prideful, selfish, and ignored God’s wisdom. Just as the bell couldn’t work due to the crack, the kingdom couldn’t remain strong when leaders chose their own way over God’s. Because people have chosen their own way and rejected God, our lives do not work as they should. Sin has broken our relationship with God, but Jesus came to fix all that sin has broken. By trusting in Him, we receive forgiveness and eternal life.
Rehoboam rejected good advice, and his foolish pride led to a divided kingdom. Jesus, the truly wise King, unites all who trust in Him and brings them into His kingdom forever.
Pray: God, when we are tempted to listen to others or to trust in our own understanding, help us to trust Your Word and to follow Your wisdom. Thank You for giving us the Bible to be our guide and to point us to Jesus who is the Savior we need. Amen.
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Preschool:
"May all people know the Lord is God. There is no other!”
1 Kings 8:60
1st-5th:
”Then all the nations on earth will know that the Lord is God. They’ll know that there isn’t any other god.”
1 Kings 8:60 (NIRV) -
Mornings
Thank God for His Word and the wisdom it brings to our life. Ask Him to help you trust in Him and not to lean on your own understanding. How does the Bible help you make wise choices?
Evenings
Ask God to help you choose friends who point you closer to Jesus. Why is it important to choose friends who point us to Jesus? How can a trustworthy friend help us to grow closer to Jesus?
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For Fun
Tear newspaper, magazines, or colored paper into small pieces. Retell the story of Rehoboam and discuss the ways his decisions split the kingdom into two parts. Then, glue pieces of torn paper to a sheet of poster board or cardboard to create a mosaic or similar work of art. Talk about how Jesus offers new life to all who believe in Him and brings them into His forever kingdom.
To Serve
Choose a stretch of sidewalk near your home and create a cheerful art walk by drawing pictures and writing encouraging messages and Scripture verses. If possible, encourage neighbors to continue the art walk in the area in front of their homes.