NYM Ministries: The Missing Emotional Connection (from Today's Native Father #127)

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PRODUCT/RESOURCES INDEX Today's Native Father Archive of Articles Free booklets Marriage/Parenting Tip Calendar of workshops E-mail questions or comments	This article is from Today's Native Father, issue #127, May/June, 2003. Related articles from this issue: Scapegoats and Black Sheep The Rest of the Scapegoat's family Reflections on Mother's Passing

	The Missing Emotional Connection A Bible Study by David Hertzler King Rehoboam is remembered for his spectacular failures. One of his bad decisions led to a nasty split in his kingdom and a loss of territory. Another bad decision led to the loss of his national gold reserves. Rehoboam’s father, King Solomon, was known as the wisest king in Israel’s history. Why did Rehoboam not inherit this wisdom? The Bible gives some clues. 1. How old was Rehoboam when he became king (2 Chronicles 12:13)? How old was Rehoboam when his father Solomon became king (compare the scripture above with 1 Kings 11:42)? 4 What was Solomon doing during the last twenty years of his reign, after Rehoboam had come of age (2 Chronicles 8-9 and Ecclesiastes 2)? 4 Most kings in those days took the throne while they were in their twenties or younger. What do you suppose Rehoboam was doing from age twenty until he became king (2 Chronicles 11:18-21)? For reflection: What kind of example was Solomon setting for Rehoboam during the last twenty years of his reign? 2. What nation did Rehoboam’s mother come from (2 Chronicles 12:13)? What had God commanded Moses concerning people from this nation (Deuteronomy 23:3)? For reflection: What business did young Prince Solomon have courting women from this nation? How might the cultural differences of his parents have affected Rehoboam? 3. In addition to Rehoboam’s mother, who else did Solomon “love” (1 Kings 11:1-3)? What happened to Solomon’s heart as a result of his love life (1 Kings 11:4-6)? What did God promise to do to Rehoboam as a result of Solomon’s life style (1 Kings 11:9-13)? For reflection: Do you think Rehoboam was disappointed by his father’s change of heart? 4. Describe Rehoboam’s family (2 Chronicles 11:18-23). Does it appear that he was making emotional connections with his children? Why might it have been considered “wise” to disperse his sons across his kingdom? How can you tell that appearances were very important to Rehoboam (2 Chronicles 12:9-11)? For reflection: How might Rehoboam’s concern for appearances have affected his other decisions in 2 Chronicles 12 (abandoning the law of the Lord, humbling himself when attacked)? Would you expect a man who has had a good emotional connection with his father to be so concerned about appearances? Why?
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