I Kings 14-15

“And there was war between Rehoboam and Jeroboam continually” (14:30).  After King Solomon’s death, united Israel separated into northern and southern “kingdoms” which fought each other.  Both kingdoms quickly fell into the idolatry that was so common to their neighbors (14:9). Jeroboam squandered the potential of his new northern throne and lost God’s favor, while in the south, Rehoboam immediately became vulnerable to the Egyptian empire and lost Jerusalem’s treasures (v26).  What took generations to build – a united, wealthy nation – was destroyed in a moment.

“He took away everything” (14:26).  God was willing to allow Israel’s stability and treasures to be destroyed in order that their hearts might turn back to Him.