firstly, because he was blinded by pride; secondly, because he would not take the advice of the wise, but followed instead that of his young companions, who took care to flatter his pride. You can see by this how passion makes a man blind, and how disastrous it is to listen to the voice of unscrupulous flatterers. “He that walketh with the wise, shall be wise: a friend of fools shall become like them” (Prov. 13, 20).
Gentleness. If Roboam had returned a kind, friendly answer to the people, he would have conciliated them, and all the twelve tribes would have acknowledged him as their king. “A mild answer breaketh wrath: but a harsh word stirreth up fury” (Prov. 15, 1). “Blessed are the meek.”
Schism. The ten tribes sinned by rebelling against the throne of David, and their sin was all the greater, because their defection from the house of David implied a defection from the future Messias and a renunciation of the promises of God.
Partaking in the guilt of others. His young advisers shared in the guilt of Roboam’s sin and in its evil consequences, by urging him to a hard and cruel course of action. Jeroboam committed a terrible sin when he incited the people to idolatry and induced them to apostatize from the true God. God punished him by the overthrow of his whole family. Jeroboam’s son, Nadab, only reigned two years. Then a rebellion against him broke out, and the whole house of Jeroboam was destroyed.
Application. Are you fond of being with giddy companions? Do you follow their advice in preference to the injunctions and exhortations of older and more prudent persons? Do you listen to the voice of your passions rather than to that of your conscience? Roboam lost the larger part of his kingdom, because he listened to the unprincipled advice of flatterers. So, if you like the company of those who are unprincipled, you will lose both faith and innocence, which are more valuable than a whole kingdom. Therefore avoid bad companions.
Chapter LXII.
GOD RAISES UP PROPHETS.— MISSION OF THE PROPHET ELIAS.
[3 Kings 17.]
IN order to bring back the kings and the people to better sentiments, God raised up, at different times, holy persons who are known as prophets[1]. These prophets preached penance in a
- ↑ Prophets. (A Greek word meaning “one who speaks out" to people in the name of God.) They were men of God who led a life of penance, wore coarse clothing, prayed and fasted. They were sent by God to maintain the true faith and the observance of His Commandments, and to bring back the people to Him. They announced the judgments which would fall on king and people if they were not converted, and they pointed onwards to the hope of Israel, the Redeemer, foretelling many things about Him. It was chiefly on account of these prophecies that they were called prophets.
