1 Kings 14:21-24 –Don’t succumb to ungodly influence

First Kings 14:21-24 return to discuss the reign of Rehoboam who succeeded Solomon, his father. He became king at age 41 and reigned for 17 years in Jerusalem, the city that God had chosen to put His name. Jerusalem was specially mentioned as the city where God had placed His name. Perhaps this was to highlight that despite being the city of the great God, it was no better than Bethel and Dan where Jeroboam had placed the molten calves to replace God. In fact, the condition in Judah was worse.   

Why so? Firstly it was because of the impact Solomon’s spiritual deterioration had on the nation. He allowed his many foreign wives to influence him to turn his devotion from God to foreign gods. Secondly, as if to highlight the deteriorated state of affairs, verse 21 mentioned that Rehoboam’s mother was Naamah, the Ammonitess. As a princess from Ammon, she would be steeped in the idolatrous practices of the Canaanites. Being one of Solomon's wives, it is to be expected that she would have introduced the pagan practices of the Canaanites to him. And now being the mother of Rehoboam, we can expect her to be one of the greatest influences in her son’s life and reign, in a substantial way. No wonder verse 22, says that “Judah did evil in the sight of the Lord, and they provoked Him to jealousy more than all that their fathers had done, with the sins which they committed.” 

The horrendous spiritual condition of Judah was being described in Verses 23-24. “They built for themselves high places and sacred pillars and Asherim on every high hill and beneath every luxuriant tree. There were also male cult prostitutes in the land. They did according to all the abominations of the nations which the Lord dispossessed before the sons of Israel.”

Rehoboam’s mother must have had a great influence on his life. It is true that we are most influenced by the person we hold in high regard.  Hence it is important that we chose who we will listen to. Take care to evaluate every piece of advice given to us. Chose only to follow advises that will help us to be godly. Emulate people, whose life inspires us to connect with God and to love Him more deeply. Do you have such friends in life? Talking about influence, Paul tells us not to be conformed to this world, but instead be transformed by the renewing of our minds. Here’s a sound counsel from Charles Spurgeon. He said, “Choose the best friend you can, then follow them no farther than they follow Christ.” Be wise, even in the choice of your friends!