Rehoboam was ready for war because a large proportion of the nation had rebelled against him to follow Jeroboam (v1). But war is averted because of the intervention of the Lord through the prophet Shemaiah (v2-4). Rehoboam wisely listens to the voice of the Lord and follows God’s will rather his own. This was part of God’s plan in response to the sin of Rehoboam’s father Solomon who followed the false gods of his wives.

In life, we need to recognise those times when our own plans and ambitions are not God’s will for us. We need to have faith to trust that God’s will is always perfect and is to be followed.

The result of Rehoboam accepting God’s will, was great blessing on the kingdom of Judah which can be seen in the fortified cities being erected (v5-12), in the priests and Levites from across Israel coming to reside in Judah (v13-16) and Rehoboam’s kingdom being secure (v17). Sadly Rehoboam stops following God’s will which can be seen in his marriages (v18-21) and him finally turning away from the Lord (12 v1-14).

In life, we can never expect lasting blessing by resisting God’s will for our lives. The blessed person is the one who meditates on God’s law and follows it day by day (Psalm 1).