Jeroboam: a negative example

Jeroboam received blessings from the LORD and became king over 10 tribes of Israel, establishing a kingdom free from Jerusalem. When he became king, he made 2 gold calves and told the people to worship those idols. He also designated places of worship for fear that his subjects might defect to Judah when they offered sacrifices at Jerusalem. He even appointed priests according to his liking. These evil acts are recorded in 1Kings 12:25-33. In short, he was

David knew his greatness came from God

So David knew that the LORD had established him as king over Israel, and that He had exalted His kingdom for the sake of His people Israel. [2 Samuel 5:12]

This is an interesting verse as it gives us a peep into King David’s mind. Quoting from David Guzik’s commentary, King David was aware of 3 things:

1. “God called him and established him

Why the different charges, doctor?

Once upon a time, in a village in a faraway land, there was a doctor, Dr David. Dr David was an expert in herbal treatment. He stored many herbs in his clinic and sold them to villagers who sought his consultation.

One day 2 villagers confronted Dr David and accused him of price discrimination. The 2 of them had a fever a few days ago, and had consulted the doctor. They had recovered, and while chatting in the fields, discovered that Dr David had charged them differently. Of course the one who was charged more was unhappy and

David received bread and sword

Saul wanted to kill David, and Jonathon could not protect David. David knew he had to run to a place beyond Saul’s control. David found his way to the house of the LORD. There he received 2 items of great significance. The full story is recorded in chapter 21 of 1 Samuel.

 

1. Bread. David asked for food but there was only the holy bread. The bread was meant for the priests, thus it was unlawful for David to eat the bread. Yet it was given to David and his men. I see this as grace extended to them, or perhaps a special provision. Jesus used this to illustrate

No atonement for them

The punishment given to the house of Eli is the result of their wickedness and also an example of the imperfection of the sacrifices of bulls and goats. The sons of Eli did wicked deeds and Eli failed to restrain them. The LORD told Samuel He would judge the house of Eli. The full story is recorded in chapter 2 & 3 of the book of 1 Samuel. I can imagine how helpless Eli felt when he heard the message – more like a sentence or verdict – from Samuel especially the line “the iniquity of Eli’s house shall not be atoned for by sacrifice or offering forever” [1 Samuel 3:14].

 

Matthew Henry wrote in his commentary that this showed

Our standard vs God’s standard

When reading the book of Judges, one can hardly miss the line “the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the LORD” because it keeps repeating. The other line that is repeated is “in those days Israel had no king; everyone did as he saw fit”.

Matthew Henry in his commentary described the relationship between the 2 lines as “every man did that which was right in his own eyes, and then they soon

He knows what we have

Now on the same night the LORD said to him, “Take your father’s bull and a second bull seven years old, and pull down the altar of Baal which belongs to your father, and cut down the Asherah that is beside it; and build an altar to the LORD your God on the top of this stronghold in an orderly manner, and take a second bull and offer a burnt offering with the wood of the Asherah which you shall cut down.” [Judges 6:25-26]

This is something I overlooked when reading the story of Gideon, until someone pointed it out. When I read it, my understanding was Gideon was instructed to destroy the altar of Baal and the wooden idol, and after that, he was to build an altar to the LORD and offer a burnt offering. It sounded like a restoration to proper worship. Matthew Henry wrote in his commentary that “Gideon must not think it enough not to worship at that altar; he must throw it down, and offer sacrifice on another. It was needful he should make peace with God, before he made war on Midian.”

What I failed to notice was the 2 bulls involved, or rather