We read that God’s wrath would not be poured out on Jerusalem through Shishak, King of Egypt.  However, they’d be subject to him, so they would learn the difference between serving God and serving the kings of other lands.  Under Rehoboam, when they became established and strong, they abandoned the law of the Lord.  Then when God confronted them with the promise of judgment, they humbled themselves.  God forgives.  God is gracious and He delivers the humble.  But He wants people to learn that it pays to trust Him.  He does this by disciplining the unstable. 

When you use the focus and amplify approach, you need to finish the study by developing some applications from the truths learned.  Here are applications I found.  Don’t take God for granted..  Always trust in Him, surrender to Him, and live for Him.  Humbly agree with God when He identifies a need or sin in your life.  Agree with Him, that’s what it means to confess.  When you do, He will forgive and renew you.  Learn from His discipline.  Don’t resist it.  Allow Him to discipline you so you can grow in your appreciation of His love and care for you.