2 Chronicles 11:22, 23  Rehoboam appointed Maacah’s son Abijah as leader among the princes, making it clear that he would be the next king. Rehoboam also wisely gave responsibilities to his other sons and stationed some of them in the fortified towns throughout the land of Judah and Benjamin. He provided them with generous provisions, and he found many wives for them. (NLT)

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The final words about King Solomon in this book are about his wealth. The final words about King David in the previous book were about how he prepared for Solomon’s success. When Solomon’s son, Rehoboam, became king, there is no evidence the wisest and wealthiest man in the world had done anything to prepare the way for his son. 

The result of this lack of preparation for the inevitable transition was an unsuccessful succession. Rehoboam did not have his grandfather’s devotion. He did not demonstrate his father’s wisdom. He very nearly lost everything at the start, and he followed that failure by very nearly losing everything else. 

It sometimes appears poor old Solomon thought it was all about him. King David prayed, “Who am I . . . ?” (See 1 Chronicles 17:16 and following.) Solomon’s first request began with the words “Give me . . . .” He asked for wisdom. God promised him all that and more. The following chapters show us a king who lived and led extravagantly. 

Simple faith and a devoted walk with God were replaced by sacrifices far beyond what was required. It was as if Solomon wanted to impress God with his excess. 

Like Simba from The Lion King, Rehoboam just couldn’t wait to be king. He wanted a life of excess like dear old dad. 

Rehoboam then got punched in the face, metaphorically speaking. Later, when he started walking away from God, he got a good kick in the pants. It took a while, but he began to learn his lessons. He never fully overcame his first (and unnecessary) failures. If only Dear Old Dad had stopped trying to impress God and everyone else enough to instruct his son and successor, things could have been much different.

Have we learned these lessons? 

Let’s live with the devotion to God of King David.

Let’s live with the wisdom and breadth of knowledge of King Solomon.

Let’s live wih repentance like King Rehoboam. 

Let’s prepare the way for whoever succeeds us in the most important roles of our lives. 

We are stewards, not owners, of our positions and properties. We manage these gifts from God for the good of others. We should not hoard them for ourselves. 

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I will steward all that God places in my hands, and I will prepare the way for those who come behind me.

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Our Father, thank you for your many gifts. Empower me to live a life of stewardship that enriches others in their walk with you, their opportunities for achievement, and their joy in generous living. Amen.