The Follow-Through God
1/20/26 Bible Thought (1 Kings 12)
God keeps His Word—all of it.
A Look at 1 Kings 12
In today’s chapter, we see the execution of God’s promise of judgment upon the line of Solomon. As a result of Solomon’s sin in the worship of other gods, Yahweh foretold that the kingdom would be torn away from his son (1 Kings 11:11, 31-33).
After the throne was occupied by Rehoboam, God fulfilled His promise when the northern tribes rebelled and followed after Jeroboam, the man who was originally in charge of Solomon’s forced labor (see 1 Kings 11:28).
While on the surface this might just look like a coup, it was divinely instituted by God. So much so that a prophet warned Rehoboam not to go fight and try to consolidate power. For the Lord said, “This thing is from me” (1 Kings 12:24b, emphasis added).
An Omniscient, Omnipresent, Omnipotent God.
The Word of God will not fail, for it is spoken by a God who is omniscient, omnipresent, and omnipotent.
He is a God who stands outside of time. The Alpha and the Omega can see the entire scheme of history at a glance. Furthermore, He can insert Himself accordingly in whatever place He wants, whenever He wants—all because He is God. He is a God who is not only here, but also there. He is a God who orchestrates all these things by His sovereign power, even through the sinful rebellion of His people.
God forewarned about the rebellion of David’s son and the surety of His covenantal promise before Bathsheba was even David’s wife (2 Sam. 7:14), something that should have never happened, anyway! Yet God knew.
He knew the coming failure of David. Even more, He promised to bless this future son who was conceived with a woman whom David stole from her husband.
In a scandal of grace, God loved Solomon (2 Sam. 12:24). This was true even though God knew that Solomon’s heart would one day turn away from Him. God promised judgment would come, and God kept His Word through the folly of a new king’s rejection of wisdom.
Seeing the Big Picture
In the context of Old Testament history, today’s text is absolutely essential.
It connects the Israelite monarchy to the time of the divided kingdoms. Moving forward, the covenant people of God were split into two entirely separate nations—Israel in the north, and Judah in the south. This is the setting for the rest of 1 & 2 Kings, and for the prophets who will plead with God’s people and their kings again and again to no avail.
Bringing it Home
In view of this chapter, we ought to take the warnings of Scripture seriously, for God keeps all of His Word. God is faithful to bless and faithful to judge. He is faithful to spare, and faithful to sentence. What He has said, He will do.
God is not like so many who may threaten their children with discipline and never follow through. He is a follow-through God. Yet God’s judgment is still mingled with grace. He preserved a line for David continually because of His covenant (1 Kings 11:34-36).
What an awe-inspiring God who is both just and merciful, who is both holy and kind, who is both transcendent and near to us.
Let us then walk in a holy awe of Him with a reverential understanding that He will always execute what He has promised.
Challenge for Today: Do I ever treat Scriptural warnings flippantly, believing that God might just let this one slide?
Yes! I am working on a Bible study that holds those things in tension. God is transcendent and immanent, holy and gracious, just and merciful. Thank you!