Kings: The Divided Kingdom

22nd May 2012

REVIEW: KINGS OF ISRAEL<suggest using flashcards or pictures for younger kids to stick up at correct places>

God was the King of Israel. He spoke to His people through prophets and judges.
But the people of Israel wanted their own king that they could see, like all the other nations around them. (1 Sam 8)
God was not happy. But He gave them a king anyway.

Saul had NO HEART for God: Disobeyed God
David had WHOLE HEART for God: Man after God’s heart
Solomon had HALF HEART for God: Started well, but ended up worshipping false gods

Solomon turned to worship his many wives’ false gods. He did not keep his promise to God to follow the One and Only True God with his WHOLE HEART, as his father David did.
Because of that, God told him that his kingdom will be divided (1 Kings 11:9-13).

ACT IT OUT: Get 2 volunteers to act out this scene; Props needed: a large paper cloak — large piece of colour paper in shape of shirt.

Solomon had an official who was a good worker. His name was Jeroboam.
One day after Jeroboam was finished with his work and was on his way home, God sent a prophet, Ahijah, to meet him.
The prophet Ahijah was wearing a new cloak. <show paper cloak>
When he saw Jeroboam, Ahijah took his new cloak and tore it into 12 pieces. <tear the paper cloak into 12 and get the kids to count 1-12>

The prophet gave 10 pieces to Jeroboam. Ahijah told Jeroboam that because of Solomon’s disobedience, God was taking away part of his kingdom and giving it to Jeroboam. Jeroboam would be king of 10 of Israel’s 12 tribes. And if Jeroboam obeyed God and worshipped Him only, he will have a great kingdom.
The 10 tribes would form Israel; Jeroboam to be king
The remaining 2 tribes (Judah and Benjamin) would form Judah; Solomon’s son, Rehoboam to be king
Note: For younger kids, you can prepare 12 building blocks to represent the tribes of Israel. Get them to count out 10 blocks and separate it from the last 2.

CONCLUSION:

Ahijah ends his prophecy with, “I will humble David’s descendants because of this, but not forever.”
Although Solomon was unfaithful, God was always faithful.
Despite Solomon’s disobedience, God did not forget His promise to David that he will have a forever kingdom (2 Sam 7:16). God promised David that David’s family would have a king to rule forever.
David was from the tribe of Judah, and one of his descendants would be the forever King and known as the Lion of Judah.
Do you know the Name of this King who was born from David’s family? (Jesus)
Because of Solomon’s sin and disobedience, his once glorious kingdom was divided and separated.
Because of our sin and disobedience, we were divided and separated from God.
But Jesus came to fulfil God’s promises as a forever King and a Saviour for all of us, so that we may be reconciled/united with God again. Thank you Jesus!

Memory Verse: Get kids to memorise
2 Cor 5:19 God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them.
Song (to tune of “If you’re happy and you know it”)