Wednesday Bible Study: Tale of two cities

The first four verses of Ch. 11 are lifted from Kings, but the rest is of unknown provenance. However, it is generally consistent with Kings in the idea that Israel, under Jeroboam, strays from the law, including Jeroboam ' s golden idols and promotion of non-Levite priests, while Rehoboam ' s Judah remains orthodox. The idea that Levites and faithful people of other tribes migrated to Judah is not really in Kings, however.For those of you who think the Bible says that marriage is between one man and one woman, read the last part of this chapter. Rehoboam ' s marriages are also incestuous, his wives are his nieces and cousins.  This recalls the patriarchal family,which was also highly incestuous.11 When Rehoboam arrived in Jerusalem, he mustered Judah and Benjamin —a hundred and eighty thousand able young men—to go to war against Israel and to regain the kingdom for Rehoboam.2 But this word of theLord came to Shemaiah the man of God:3 “Say to Rehoboam son of Solomon king of Judah and to all Israel in Judah and Benjamin,4 ‘This is what theLord says: Do not go up to fight against your fellow Israelites. Go home, every one of you, for this is my doing. ’” So they obeyed the words of theLord and turned back from marching against Jeroboam.Rehoboam Fortifies Judah5 Rehoboam lived in Jerusalem and built up towns for defense in Judah:6 Bethlehem, Etam, Tekoa,7 Beth Zur, Soko, Adullam,8 Gath, Mareshah, Ziph,9 Adoraim, Lachi...
Source: Stayin' Alive - Category: American Health Source Type: blogs