In 1 Kings 12 and 13 Rehoboam, Solomon’s son, is made king. Jeroboam comes to him with the people of Israel. They plead for him to be kinder to them than his father was saying that if he is kinder they will be faithful servants. Rehoboam goes to the older men who counsel him to do as they say and he will have servants for life. Instead, Rehoboam goes to his young friends for advice. They recommend that he deal harshly with the people and force their obedience. Rehoboam does as the young men counsel.

While this seems like the foolishness of youth, and it is, it is also part of God’s plan to break up the kingdom because of Solomon’s sin.

The people of Israel realize that Rehoboam does not have their interests at heart. When he sends his taskmaster out to force them into labor they kill him. Israel makes Jeroboam their king and Rehoboam remains king of Judah. Rehoboam gets ready to fight for the restoration of his kingdom, but God speaks to Shemaiah, a prophet, who tells Rehoboam that this split is from God.

Jeroboam fearing that Rehoboam would want to become king of all of Israel, and knowing that he was able to worship God in Jerusalem, sets up altars in several high places and encourages the people to worship other gods. He makes golden calves to assist in their worship.

This, of course, is a sin against God. As a matter of fact it is the same sin that got Solomon in trouble and made the split kingdom in the first place.

While Jeroboam is at one of the altars a prophet from Judah condemns the altar. Jeroboam tries to grab the man but his hand withers. The altar is destroyed. Jeroboam asks the prophet to pray that God would heal his hand. God answers the prophet’s prayer. Even after seeing the power of God Jeroboam continues to worship other gods.

It appears that both kings are going to have a hard time of it because of their foolish decisions.

1 Corinthians 14 addresses an apparent disagreement regarding the gift of speaking in tongues and the gift of prophecy. Paul encourages them to seek the gift of prophecy over the gift of tongues so that the whole body may be edified. The spiritual gift of tongues is only helpful in worship if there are those who can interpret what is being said, whereas the gift of prophecy will build up the entire body.

Paul also deals with the issue of praying through the Spirit in tongues. This gift, letting the Spirit pray for us in a language we don’t know, is good, but can be done without really engaging in prayer with the mind. Paul encourages mindful prayer more so that we are involved in the action.

Paul encourages orderly conduct in public worship so that outsiders may understand and be moved. There is of course the instruction regarding women speaking in church. In a careful reading of the text it appears as if the women were questioning aloud about things that were happening during worship. This was causing excess noise and disturbing the service. Paul encourages the women to wait to ask their husbands what was going on when they get home instead of asking during the service itself.

Over all, the lessons Paul is teaching are to be actively and mindfully involved in worship, engaging our minds in prayer and praise. The teaching should be understandable and should build up the church either through encouragement, consolation or even reproof as long as it edifies. When in worship make every effort to be worshipful and not be distracted or distracting.