1. Lighten our load and we will serve you (1-24)

Rehoboam followed Solomon to the throne. Solomon had been an extensive builder. He had taxed the people heavily, and required them to do hard labor. So the whole assembly led by Jeroboam came and asked Rehoboam to lighten their load. Rehoboam consulted the elders and also his young contemporaries, and followed the advice of the latter. He was proud and wanted to show off his new power. God used this event to fulfill Ahijah's prophecy and make Jeroboam king of 10 tribes.

2. The man who made Israel to sin (25-33)

Jeroboam was a pragmatist. He didn't pray; he thought and calculated (26). He invented his own religion and used it as a political tool to keep the people from going to Jerusalem to worship. He made religion convenient; he made the priesthood democratic; he didn't forget to include the festivals, the 'fun' part of religion. He told the people that they were worshiping the Lord God, but they all forgot that God must be worshiped in God's way.

Application: Lord, save us from easy-going pragmatism that corrupts the heart.
One Word: Worship God in God's way