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1 Kings 12 · Grade 4

Harsh Words, Divided Kingdom

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Read and Think

All Israel came to Shechem to make Rehoboam king. Jeroboam had returned from Egypt, and he and the people spoke to the king. They said Solomon had made their yoke heavy. If Rehoboam would make it lighter, they would serve him.

The old men who had served Solomon advised the king to be a servant to the people and speak good words to them. Then they would be his servants forever. But Rehoboam rejected their advice. He asked the young men he grew up with, and they told him to promise an even heavier yoke. Rehoboam answered the people roughly. This turn of events was from the Lord, to fulfill His word through Ahijah.

Israel rebelled, and the people turned against Adoram, who was over the forced labor. Rehoboam fled to Jerusalem. Israel made Jeroboam king, and only Judah stayed with David's house. When Rehoboam gathered an army, God sent Shemaiah to say not to fight their brothers, and they listened. Jeroboam feared the people would return to Rehoboam if they worshiped in Jerusalem. He made two golden calves, set them in Bethel and Dan, and appointed priests who were not Levites.

Show What You Know

  1. What did the old men advise?

  2. Why did this turn of events happen?

  3. Whom did God send to stop the war?

  4. What kind of priests did Jeroboam appoint?

Word Bank Fill-In

Use the word bank to fill in each blank.

RehoboamyokegoodJeroboamIsrael
  1. All Israel came to Shechem to make king.
  2. had returned from Egypt, and he and the people spoke to the king.
  3. They said Solomon had made their heavy.
  4. The old men who had served Solomon advised the king to be a servant to the people and speak words to them.
  5. rebelled, and the people turned against Adoram, who was over the forced labor.

Think About It

  1. The old men said a leader should serve. How can you serve the people around you?

  2. Rehoboam's harsh words split a nation. How can your words bring people together?

Memory Verse

They replied, “If you will be a servant to this people today, and will serve them, and answer them with good words, then they will be your servants forever.”

1 Kings 12:7 (WEB)

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Prayer

Dear God, thank You for wise friends. Help me . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

  • What did God tell Rehoboam's army?
  • Where did Jeroboam set the golden calves?

Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org. © 2026 The Daily Rooted. Free to print and copy for church and home use; not for resale. Original line art.