1 Kings 11:28

AN INDUSTRIOUS YOUTH

‘The man Jeroboam was a mighty man of valour: and Solomon seeing the young man that he was industrious, he made him ruler over all the charge of the house of Joseph.’

1 Kings 11:28

It is interesting to observe the beginning of Jeroboam’s prosperity. It commenced in merit, and it was advanced by the same cause. Industry and activity commended the young man to the attention and confidence of his superiors. If his moral principles had been equal to his ability and diligence, Jeroboam would have occupied an honourable position in the Hebrew chronicles, and to his name there would not have attached the stigma, ‘he made Israel to sin.’

I. Ability and diligence in the young are deserving of admiration.—To a certain extent men are not accountable for their ability; the capacity and faculty are inborn, are the bestowment of Divine Providence. But natural gifts are increased by use. To him that hath shall be given. Most young people are endowed with such a measure of ability that, if cultivated earnestly and faithfully, it may enable them to render good service to their generation.

II. Ability and diligence lead to promotion.—Men intrust more to those who make a good use of what they have. There is no department of life in which merit is so superabundant that it will be left unheeded and unemployed. The opportunity, the time for advancement, comes to most young men who have prepared for it.

III. Ability and diligence may be either wisely used or shamefully abused.—In the service of sin men work hard, and they ‘have their reward.’ But none can seek and serve the Lord without finding in Him a gracious Master ready to acknowledge devotedness and to recompense service, beyond desert or expectation.

Illustration

‘The instrument for shattering Solomon’s kingdom was shaped by himself. It is the old story of a young man of mark, attracting the eyes of the king, being promoted to offices of trust, which at once stir ambition and give prominence and influence which seem to afford a possibility of gratifying it. Jeroboam made himself conspicuous by his energy (for that rather than “valour” must be the meaning of the word), and so got promotion. It was natural, but at the same time dangerous, to put him in command of the forced labour of his own tribe, as the narrative shows us was done; for the “house of Joseph” is the tribe of Ephraim, to which, according to the correct translation of verse 26, he belonged. In such an office he would be thrown among his kinsmen, and would at once gain influence and learn to sympathise with their discontent.’