“Wherefore the king hearkened not unto the people; for the cause was from the LORD, that he might perform his saying, which the LORD spake by Ahijah the Shilonite unto Jeroboam the son of Nebat.” 1 Kings 12:15
In 1 Kings 11-12, God executed judgment because of the idolatry and wickedness of King Solomon. To fulfill His words, God moved King Rehoboam to listen to the foolish counsel of his younger advisers and not lighten the burden Solomon had placed on the people. As a result, the northern tribes of Israel rebelled and the kingdom was divided. God, because of the sins of a nation and its rulers, may at times raise up evil and foolish rulers in order to execute His judgments upon them.
O God, have mercy upon us as a nation, pardon our wickedness and sin, and grant to us rulers who will lead in accord with Your commandments. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
[Scripture is quoted from the King James Version of the Bible.]