United Kingdom, Divided Home
- Get link
- X
- Other Apps
“From a United to a Divided Kingdom” (A Study on 1 Kings)
During David’s reign, the kingdom of Israel experienced its golden age. Israel’s territory expanded as David conquered and subdued the surrounding nations. Without a doubt, David was a “success” as a king. Sadly, the same cannot be said of his leadership over his family. Individuals today face this same problem–the difficulty of balancing between one’s career and one’s home.
In David’s case, the Lord declared that the “sword shall not depart from his house.” As a consequence of his sin of adultery, David suffered the death of his child with Bathsheba, the rape of his daughter by Amnon his son and the murder of Amnon and usurpation of his own throne by Absalom, also his son.
I believe that one of the major reasons for David’s failure as a father was his neglect of spending time with his children to be able to teach them the ways of the Lord. Although David can be commended for his instruction to Solomon, one wonders whether David gave the same faithful instruction during his child’s tender years (and whether his other children received the same).
David’s failure as the leader of his home had dire consequences, evident in the wicked lives of the kings that were to reign after him. Even Solomon his son fell under the influence of his many wives and concubines who drew his heart away from the Lord. Under Solomon’s son, Rehoboam, who also took for himself multiple wives, the kingdom was divided.
How are you? How are you doing in your home? Let us learn from the life of David. Let us make our home a priority. Let us remember God’s clear command in Deuteronomy 6.
The Lord bless you.