The Influence of Wicked and Righteous Leaders

Teach and discuss 1 Kings 12:1–20.

You may want to write the following statement on the chalkboard:

A good leader:

1. Gives service.

• After Solomon died, his son Rehoboam became king of Israel. What changes did the Israelites want Rehoboam to make from the way his father ruled? (See 1 Kings 12:3–4.) What counsel did the older men give Rehoboam about ruling successfully? (See 1 Kings 12:6–7; 2 Chronicles 10:7.) Why are we more likely to be influenced positively by a leader who is kind and who serves us? How can we apply this counsel at home? at church? at school? at work? (See D&C 121:41–46.) What are some examples you have seen of parents or other leaders applying this counsel successfully?

• After refusing the counsel of older men, Rehoboam turned to young men he had known in his youth. What was their advice? (See 1 Kings 12:8–11.) What were the results of Rehoboam’s decision to follow their advice? (See 1 Kings 12:12–17. Explain that the phrase “Israel departed to their tents” refers to the ten tribes separating themselves from Rehoboam’s kingdom.) How might these results have been different if Rehoboam had followed the counsel of the older men? (See 1 Kings 12:7.)

• Jeroboam had been one of Solomon’s 12 superintendents over taxes and labor. Toward the end of Solomon’s reign, the prophet Ahijah had prophesied that Jeroboam would become king over many of the tribes of Israel (1 Kings 11:29–31; see the attention activity). How was this prophecy fulfilled? (See 1 Kings 12:20, including footnote 20b. The tribes of Judah and Benjamin stayed with Rehoboam in the Southern Kingdom, or kingdom of Judah. The other ten tribes followed Jeroboam in the Northern Kingdom, or kingdom of Israel.)

Teach and discuss 1 Kings 12:25–33; 13:33–34; 14:14–16, 21–24.

You may want to add to the statement you have written on the chalkboard:

A good leader:

1. Gives service.

2. Trusts and obeys the Lord.

• Through the prophet Ahijah, the Lord promised Jeroboam that he would be given a “sure house” (a secure kingdom) if he would walk in the Lord’s ways (1 Kings 11:38). How did Jeroboam forfeit the blessings of that promise? (See 1 Kings 12:25–33.) Why did Jeroboam build the golden calves and high places and ordain false priests? (See 1 Kings 12:26–33; 13:33–34.)

  Explain that Jeroboam was afraid that if his people went to Jerusalem to worship, they might go back to Rehoboam. In an effort to control his people and retain their loyalty, he made golden calves in Bethel and Dan, two cities in the Northern Kingdom, and invited his people to worship in those cities. In doing this, he allowed his fear of defeat to override his trust in the Lord’s promises. Point out that a wise leader trusts the Lord and does not base decisions on fear or personal judgment.

• When his son became sick, Jeroboam sought the help of the prophet Ahijah. What did Ahijah prophesy concerning Jeroboam’s house (family) and kingdom? (See 1 Kings 14:14–16. The fulfillment of this prophecy is found in 2 Kings 17:20–23.)

• Like Jeroboam, Rehoboam also disobeyed God by leading people into idolatry (1 Kings 14:21–24). The wicked leadership of these two kings had long-lasting results. Both kingdoms were scattered or carried away captive many years later (Israel by the Assyrians and Judah by the Babylonians) because they continued in their wicked traditions. How can one wicked leader have such a profound effect on so many people?

  You may want to point out that we need not mirror the acts of wicked leaders as the people of Israel and Judah did. God has given us agency, and we can use that power to choose good, even if leaders choose evil (Helaman 14:30–31).

Teach and discuss 2 Chronicles 17:1–10; 20:1–30.

You may want to add again to the list on the chalkboard:

A good leader:

1. Gives service.

2. Trusts and obeys the Lord.

3. Has faith in God.

4. Teaches from the scriptures.

5. Follows the prophets.

• Three generations after Rehoboam, his great-grandson Jehoshaphat reigned over the kingdom of Judah. How did Jehoshaphat demonstrate his personal righteousness? (See 2 Chronicles 17:3–4, 6.) How does our private devotion affect our ability to lead others?

• Jehoshaphat “took away the high places and groves out of Judah” (2 Chronicles 17:6). What do you think the people learned from this? (See 2 Chronicles 20:12–13, noting that “all Judah stood before the Lord, with their little ones, their wives, and their children.”) What might we remove from our homes and our personal lives so we can worship God with greater devotion?

• Jehoshaphat sent Levites throughout the kingdom to teach the people from “the book of the law of the Lord” (2 Chronicles 17:9). How do you think being taught from the scriptures affected the people of Judah? How has personal and family scripture study helped you? How does scripture study in the home influence our families and the Church as a whole?

  President Ezra Taft Benson taught: “Often we spend great effort in trying to increase the activity levels in our stakes. We work diligently to raise the percentages of those attending sacrament meetings. We labor to get a higher percentage of our young men on missions. We strive to improve the numbers of those marrying in the temple. All of these are commendable efforts and important to the growth of the kingdom. But when individual members and families immerse themselves in the scriptures regularly and consistently, these other areas of activity will automatically come. Testimonies will increase. Commitment will be strengthened. Families will be fortified. Personal revelation will flow” (The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson [1988], 44).

• 2 Chronicles 20 tells of a period of terrible anxiety for the people of Judah, as three nations had declared war on them. The outcome seemed bleak for King Jehoshaphat and his people, who were greatly outnumbered. What did Jehoshaphat do to receive help? (See 2 Chronicles 20:3–13.) What was the Lord’s answer to this supplication? (See 2 Chronicles 20:14–17. Note that this answer came through the prophet Jahaziel.) What counsel did Jehoshaphat give his people? (See 2 Chronicles 20:20.) As Latter-day Saints, how are we outnumbered today as were the people of Judah anciently? How does Jehoshaphat’s counsel apply to us?

• Remembering the prophet Jahaziel’s assurance that the battle was God’s, Jehoshaphat appointed singers to praise the Lord rather than fight. When they began to sing, the Lord protected them by causing their attackers to war among themselves and destroy one another (2 Chronicles 20:21–24). How are we protected when we remember and obey the words of the living prophet?

• In contrast to Jeroboam and Rehoboam, who led their people into idolatry, Jehoshaphat influenced the people of Judah to humble themselves before the Lord (2 Chronicles 20:3–4). What examples have you seen of the influence of righteous leaders? What can we do to help those we serve live righteously?