Passages: 1 kings 12:1-15

1 Kings 12: 1-15 : Our Own Worst Enemy & Our Greatest Friend.

Within this chapter we are introduced to the 4th king of Israel: King Rehoboam. Whilst the previous three kingships begin in humility and dependance, their end depicts three kings who ultimately got caught up in themselves.

Rehoboam from the off is caught up in himself and his desires. Within these verses we see that he is unable to LEARN, unwilling to LISTEN and incapable of LOVE. Whilst it is clear for us to see how Rehoboam is his own worst enemy, it is also true for us, his mistakes can easily creep into our own lives and so his story provides us with the pitfalls to look out for.

Thankfully this story doesn’t just reveal to us how easy it is to become our own worst enemy, it also points us in the direction of our greatest friend, Jesus. He is Thee King, who doesn’t look to wield His power, but is prepared to lose it, offering to us a relationship with God through him.

This Week’s Study Guide: Rehoboam.

Next Week’s Study Guide: Elijah

As we journey through the Bible let us ask, how does knowing this help me to become wise for salvation through faith in Jesus?

1. What does it teach me? 
2. How does it rebuke me?
3. Is it correcting something in my life?
4. What training can I put into place to help me live a righteous life?
5. How is this equipping me for every good work?

Additional questions you may wish to consider for personal study or in Life Groups.

Apply

As I reflect what have I found interesting? 

As I reflect what has challenged my life, attitudes and actions? 

Is there one practical step I can apply to my life to help me to become more like Jesus?

How would this help me to introduce others to Jesus?

Is there there anything I need to pray about, explore further or extra help I need?

Is there someone I should share with, pray with or encourage?

Passages: 2 Samuel 11&12, Psalm 51

The Sin

As we continue to look at the life of David we are in a period were David is ‘not a man after God’s heart’, and this passage looks at how The Lord brings David back to being ‘a man after God’s heart’.

David broke the commandments of The Lord, he broke 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. 

2 Samuel 11:27b But the thing David had done was evil in the eyes of The Lord.

This was because he forgot and broke the first commandments, he put himself before God, he basically made an idol of himself and worshipped himself, doing as he pleased thinking he was above correction or consequences.

The wonderful thing about The Lord is that He doesn’t want to leave us in our sin and unforgiven state. He wants to restore us back to a right relationship with Him.

The Rebuke

The Lord took control and sent Nathan to David, but Nathan didn’t immediately rebuke but he told him a parable, about the rich man with many sheep who took the poor man’s precious lamb.

This acted to awaken David from his spiritual slumber. David’s heart for justice exploded.

In David’s rage, Nathan with a broken heart to someone he loved, said “You are the man!”.

A rebuke should always be done in love and never anger. 

Anger provokes and love heals. 

Next in 2 Samuel 12:7-10 the Lord through Nathan set out before David:

• all God had achieved for him
• the sin he had committed
• the consequences

As we think about our sin:

• Why is it important that we are confronted with these and how do these allow us to deal with our sin?

The Repentance

David realised that he had sinned against God.

• He Admitted he had done wrong – 2 Samuel 12:13 Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.”
• He didn’t try to Justify himself
• He Accepted the consequences 
• He was Devastated
• He looked to The Lord 

Why are all of these important as we Repent?

The Restoration

God blessed David and Bathsheba.

Joab helped to restore David as he called him to act like a king and be where a king should be.

David was now focused on the right thing, in the right place, and with the right attitude, humbly following God.

As we are restored may this be our experience.

It could be said that restoration is the hardest element of this whole process, why are guilt and shame so difficult to deal with? How can we overcome them

As we allow God to deal with our sin and face up to what is required of us it will help us to become more like Jesus and introduce others to him, as we Worship God Wholeheartedly.

Next Week

As we journey through the Bible let us ask, how does knowing this help me to become wise for salvation through faith in Jesus?

1. What does it teach me? 
2. How does it rebuke me?
3. Is it correcting something in my life?
4. What training can I put into place to help me live a righteous life?
5. How is this equipping me for every good work?

Additional questions you may wish to consider for personal study or in Life Groups.

Apply

As I reflect what have I found interesting? 

As I reflect what has challenged my life, attitudes and actions? 

Is there one practical step I can apply to my life to help me to become more like Jesus?

How would this help me to introduce others to Jesus?

Is there there anything I need to pray about, explore further or extra help I need?

Is there someone I should share with, pray with or encourage?