I Kings 12: 25-33.
SUBJECT—IDOLATRY IN ISRAEL.
BY REV. G. E. STROBRIDGE, D. D.
GOLDEN TEXT.
"Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image" (Exod. 20:4).
INTRODUCTION.
Jeroboam reigned twenty-two years, beginning in the year 975 B. C. The extent of his territory was larger than that of the kingdom of Judah, over which Rehoboam ruled after the division. Jeroboam's portion, called the Kingdom of Israel, and comprising the northern portion of the land, was about the size of the State of New Hampshire.
Rehoboam first made an attempt to recover the allegiance of the revolted tribes, and sent his representative to take tribute from them, but he was promptly killed. Rehoboam then made preparations for war; but he was admonished to pursue this course no longer by the prophet Shemiah (1 Kings 12: 21-24).