所羅門屍骨方寒，以色列竟由敬拜上帝轉為悖逆自己與上帝的約定。所羅門之子羅波安愚昧的加徵稅金，造成王國不幸分裂。就在與耶羅波安(受到北方十支派擁立的新王)險些發生內戰之際，羅波安聽從了先知的勸誡，因而阻止了這場衝突，然而當他的王國鞏固強盛的時候，他又背棄律法中的上帝，上帝遂差派埃及王示撒作為嚴厲的譴責，示撒擊敗羅波安的軍隊，劫走上帝殿中的寶物！

        你的信仰是：
        一個備胎？(只在緊急情況才派得上用場。)
        一輛手推車？(不時沮喪氣餒，需要推動。)
        一部公共汽車？(你只搭乘你要去的路線。)
        一位和平使者？(你時刻倚靠的力量。)
        對羅波安大起大落的屬靈生活而言，信仰簡直就是個備胎!每當時局艱辛，他就轉向上帝:事情一旦順遂，就背棄上帝。上帝藉著先知何西阿提醒你：「這些民……既得飽足，心就高傲，忘記了我。」(何13：6) 現在來清點一下你生命中的存貨。一切都順利嗎？賬單都付了嗎？擁有健康的身體嗎？與家庭、教會或鄰居有重大的衝突嗎？工作穩定嗎？冰箱裡裝滿了食物嗎？好，注意了!這正是撒但樂於使你跌倒的時刻了，牠要讓你的眼目從供應的源頭移開。在今天你寫給別人的字條上寫著：「別忘了！」也許這可以提供你為你的主作見證的機會。

「親愛的日記，今天我搶劫了一座聖殿••••••』
        在埃及寺廟的牆上發現到－段碑文，提到示撒大軍在羅波安王朝成功的搶奪了耶路撒冷聖殿的寶物(代下12：9) 。一張圖畫著示撒揪著一群以色列人的頭髮，並用棍棒打他們－－真是一個準得令人痛苦的應驗。

人若以自己的信仰為恥，或許他有一個應該引以為恥的信仰！

English

        Solomon is barely cold in his grave when the nation turns from worship to waywardness in its commitment to God. Solomon's son Rehoboam imposes a foolish tax increase, prompting a bitter division of his kingdom. On the verge of civil war with Jeroboam (the newly established king of the northern 10 tribes), Rehoboam obeys the word of the prophet and breaks off the conflict. But once his kingdom is established, he forsakes the law of the Lord yet again. God sends a stinging rebuke in the person of Shishak, king of Egypt, who defeats Rehoboam's army and plunders the wealth of the Lord's house.

        Is your religion ...
        ... like a spare tire? (You only use it in an emergency.)
         ... like a wheelbarrow? (Easily upset and must be pushed.)
         ... like a bus? (You ride it only when it goes your way.)
         ... or like a pacemaker? (Something you rely on constantly.)
        Rehoboam's up-and-down spiritual life could well be likened to a spare tire! When times were tough, he turned to God; when things were running smoothly, he forsook The Lord, It may remind you of God's words through the prophet Hosea: "They were filled, and their heart was exalted; therefore have they forgotten me" (Hosea 13:6).
        Take stock of your own life at this time. Are things going smoothly? All bills paid? Enjoying good health? No major conflicts in your family, church, or neighborhood? Job secure?         Refrigerator full? Then watch out! Now is the time Satan would love to trip you up by turning your eyes away from the Source of your supply. On the memo line of each check you write today, add the words "Don't forget!" This might even provide an opportunity to witness for your Lord.

"DearDiary, Today I Plundered a Tempte...." —
        Inscriptions found on Egyptian temple walls show Shishak's military success in plundering the Jerusalem temple during Rehoboam's reign (12:9). One picture shows Shishak holding a group of Israelites by the hair and hitting them with a club—a painfully accurate rendering.

The person who is ashamed of his religion probably has a religion of which he ought to be ashamed.