BASIC SCRIPTURE BIBLE READING FEBRUARY 26th 2026 PRAYER POINTS AND DECLARATIONS

BASIC SCRIPTURE: 1 KINGS 12:1-20 (KING JAMES VERSION)

1 And Rehoboam went to Shechem: for all Israel were come to Shechem to make him king.
2 And it came to pass, when Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who was yet in Egypt, heard of it, (for he was fled from the presence of king Solomon, and Jeroboam dwelt in Egypt;)
3 That they sent and called him. And Jeroboam and all the congregation of Israel came, and spake unto Rehoboam, saying,
4 Thy father made our yoke grievous: now therefore make thou the grievous service of thy father, and his heavy yoke which he put upon us, lighter, and we will serve thee.
5 And he said unto them, Depart yet for three days, then come again to me. And the people departed.
6 And king Rehoboam consulted with the old men, that stood before Solomon his father while he yet lived, and said, How do ye advise that I may answer this people?
7 And they spake unto him, saying, If thou wilt be a servant unto this people this day, and wilt serve them, and answer them, and speak good words to them, then they will be thy servants for ever.
8 But he forsook the counsel of the old men, which they had given him, and consulted with the young men that were grown up with him, and which stood before him:
9 And he said unto them, What counsel give ye that we may answer this people, who have spoken to me, saying, Make the yoke which thy father did put upon us lighter?
10 And the young men that were grown up with him spake unto him, saying, Thus shalt thou speak unto this people that spake unto thee, saying, Thy father made our yoke heavy, but make thou it lighter unto us; thus shalt thou say unto them, My little finger shall be thicker than my father’s loins.
11 And now whereas my father did lade you with a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke: my father hath chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.
12 So Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam the third day, as the king had appointed, saying, Come to me again the third day.
13 And the king answered the people roughly, and forsook the old men’s counsel that they gave him;
14 And spake to them after the counsel of the young men, saying, My father made your yoke heavy, and I will add to your yoke: my father also chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.
15 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.
16 So when all Israel saw that the king hearkened not unto them, the people answered the king, saying, What portion have we in David? neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse: to your tents, O Israel: now see to thine own house, David. So Israel departed unto their tents.
17 But as for the children of Israel which dwelt in the cities of Judah, Rehoboam reigned over them.
18 Then king Rehoboam sent Adoram, who was over the tribute; and all Israel stoned him with stones, that he died. Therefore king Rehoboam made speed to get him up to his chariot, to flee to Jerusalem.
19 So Israel rebelled against the house of David unto this day.
20 And it came to pass, when all Israel heard that Jeroboam was come again, that they sent and called him unto the congregation, and made him king over all Israel: there was none that followed the house of David, but the tribe of Judah only.

FINISH READING ===> Our Daily Manna ODM 26th February 2026

Key Themes and Lessons

This passage records the tragic division of the kingdom of Israel. Several key themes emerge that can guide our prayers:

• The Power of Counsel: Rehoboam had the choice between the wise, seasoned counsel of the elders (to serve the people and speak kindly) and the harsh, prideful counsel of his peers. His choice to reject wisdom led to disaster .

• Servant Leadership: The elders gave a timeless principle of leadership: true authority comes through serving others, not ruling over them with harshness (v. 7) .

• Pride and Harshness: Rehoboam’s prideful response (“my little finger shall be thicker than my father’s loins… I will chastise you with scorpions”) reveals how a desire to appear strong can lead to foolish and destructive decisions .

• Divine Sovereignty: Verse 15 reminds us that even the king’s foolish choice was ultimately “from the LORD,” fulfilling His prophetic word. God remains sovereign even over human failure and political turmoil .

• The Consequences of Division: The result was a fractured kingdom, civil war, and rebellion—a powerful warning about the high cost of ignoring wise and godly advice.

Prayer Points

1. For Wisdom in Counsel: Pray for the discernment to know whose advice to seek and follow. Ask God to help you value wise, experienced, and godly counsel over the proud and foolish advice that simply strokes your ego. “Lord, give me the humility to listen to the ‘elders’ you place in my life.”

2. For a Servant’s Heart: Pray against the spirit of Rehoboam—the desire to rule harshly, to assert authority through intimidation, or to add burdens to others. Ask God to cultivate in you the heart of a servant, following the example of Christ who came not to be served, but to serve .

3. For Leaders in Authority: Intercede for leaders in your nation, church, and community. Pray they would not answer the people “roughly” or seek to burdens, but would speak “good words” and seek the welfare of those they lead .

4. For Unity and Healing: Pray against the spirit of division in your own relationships, in your church, and in the body of Christ. Ask God to heal fractures caused by pride, harsh words, and foolish decisions .

5. To Recognize God’s Sovereignty: In times of political or personal turmoil, pray for faith to trust that “the cause is from the LORD.” Ask for peace, knowing that God is working out His purposes even through difficult circumstances and the failures of human leaders .

Declarations

1. “I declare that I will seek the counsel of the wise and godly, and I will not forsake their advice for the prideful words of the foolish.” (Based on 1 Kings 12:6-8)

2. “I declare that true greatness is found in serving others. I will not be a burden to those around me, but will seek to speak good words and lighten their load.” (Based on 1 Kings 12:7)

3. “I declare that my words have power to build up or to tear down. I choose to answer with kindness and wisdom, not with harshness and pride.” (Based on 1 Kings 12:13-14)

4. “I declare that even when human plans fail and division seems to prevail, God is sovereign. He is working all things, even difficult circumstances, for His ultimate purpose and my good.” (Based on 1 Kings 12:15)

5. “I declare that I have a portion and an inheritance in the true King, Jesus Christ, who unites all things in Himself. I will be an agent of unity, not division.” (Based on 1 Kings 12:16, with a Christ-centered perspective)