Why did God allow the kingdom to split?

God allowed the kingdom to split as part of His sovereign plan. The division fulfilled His word spoken through the prophet Ahijah to Jeroboam (1 Kings 11:29–39). Though the split was a result of Rehoboam’s pride and Jeroboam’s fear, it ultimately served God’s purpose in preserving the Davidic line and preparing the way for the coming of Christ.

What can we learn from Rehoboam’s leadership failure?

Rehoboam’s failure teaches us the importance of humility and listening to godly counsel. His harsh leadership and disregard for wisdom led to national division and spiritual decline. Leaders must prioritize servant-heartedness and the fear of the Lord over power and pride.

How does Jeroboam’s counterfeit worship foreshadow future judgment?

Jeroboam’s creation of golden calves and his imitation of true worship established a pattern of idolatry that plagued the northern kingdom. This compromise led to God’s judgment on Israel, culminating in exile. It serves as a warning against reshaping worship to suit personal or political agendas.

The Division of Israel and the Sovereignty of God – 1 Kings 12 (August 7, 2025)

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The Division of the Kingdom – 1 Kings 12

Show: Reading the Bible Daily with Dave

Host: Dave Jenkins

Date: August 7, 2025

In this episode of Reading the Bible Daily with Dave, we examine 1 Kings 12—the chapter that marks the division of Israel into two kingdoms. Rehoboam rejects wise counsel, Jeroboam resorts to false worship, and the united kingdom fractures. But even amid political and spiritual upheaval, God’s sovereign hand is at work.

Dave Jenkins walks through the passage verse-by-verse, offering practical insights on leadership, worship, and the unshakable reign of Christ.

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Scripture: 1 Kings 12:1–33

Theme: The kingdom of Israel is divided because of poor leadership and idolatry. Christ is the greater King who brings unity and peace.

Dave Jenkins( Executive Director )

Dave Jenkins is happily married to his wife, Sarah, and lives in beautiful Southern Oregon. He is a writer, editor, and speaker who loves Christ, His people, the Church, and sound theology.

Dave serves as the Executive Director of Servants of Grace Ministries and the Executive Editor of Theology for Life Magazine. He is the Host and Producer of the Equipping You in Grace Podcast and a contributor to and producer of Contending for the Word.

He is the author of The War of Worldviews: Truth, Lies, and the Battle for the Christian Mind (Theology for Life, 2026), Contentment: The Journey of a Lifetime (Theology for Life, 2024), The Word Matters: Defending Biblical Authority Against the Spirit of the Age (G3 Press, 2022), and The Word Explored: The Problem of Biblical Illiteracy and What To Do About It (House to House, 2021).

You can connect with Dave on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, YouTube, or subscribe to his newsletter.

When he is not engaged in ministry work, Dave enjoys spending time with his wife, going to movies, sharing a meal at a favorite restaurant, or playing a round of golf with friends. He is also a voracious reader, particularly of Reformed theology and the Puritans, and is often found working through a stack of new books from a wide range of Christian publishers.

Dave earned his M.A.R. and M.Div. from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary.

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