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The Story pt. 14: A Kingdom Torn In Two

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Podcast

A Kingdom Torn in Two

Introduction: Turn to your neighbor, identify yourself and tell about a recent movie that you have seen at the theater, on DVD or on TV. Also, tell what impact the movie had on you. Movies like “The Bucket List” remind us of things we want to do in life before we die. “Dan in Real Life” reminds us to not take for granted the ones we love. Good movies have an impact on us. When movies are critiqued or reviewed, there are six categories considered. The six categories are: setting, characters, point of view, plot (with conflict), resolution, and theme. Today in The Story we will approach Chapter 14 as we would a movie, considering the six categories of review.
The movie/story is titled “A Kingdom Torn in Two.”

1, Setting: I Kings 12

A. Solomon’s heart is divided and he is ruling unwisely by overtaxing the people and forcing them into hard labor. I Kings 12

B. Solomon dies and his son, Rehoboam, takes over the throne.

2. The Characters

A. Solomon has two sons: Rehoboam who is from the tribe of Judah and Jeroboam who is from the tribe of Ephraim.

B. In 1 Kings 11, a prophet tells Jeroboam that he will become king, but he must wait. Jeroboam refuses to wait and rebels against Solomon.

3. The Point of View

A. As we’ve noted, there is an upper story point of view. This point of view shows us God’s perspective as he goes about fulfilling his purpose.

B. There is a lower story point of view giving the daily details of everyday life and in this lower story we see the life of Rehoboam unfold.

4. The Plot

A In every good story or movie there is a plot with conflict.

B. The plot with conflict is recorded in 1 Kings 12:1-14 [read from The Story]. We read of Rehoboam’s unwise decision to ignore the counsel of his advisors.


5. The Resolution

A. The resolution is seen in 1 Kings 12:16-17 and 1 Kings 20:20.
[read]

B. The resolution: the nation is divided into two kingdoms.
map
1. The Northern Kingdom is made up of 10 tribes, is called Israel and is ruled by Jeroboam.

2. The Southern Kingdom is two tribes—Judah and Benjamin—and is ruled by Rehoboam. [see map in The Story]

6. The Theme(s)

A. The upper story theme: God has a plan to get us back and God keeps his promises (to Abraham, to Moses, and to David).

B. The lower story theme (seen in Jeroboam): “The ripple effects of our decisions.” Solomon’s decisions affected Jeroboam and Jeroboam’s decisions led to a split in the nation.