Rehoboam was the son of Solomon and the grandson of David, making him the third king of the united monarchy of Israel. His reign is marked by the division of the kingdom into Israel and Judah. Rehoboam's family played a significant role in the biblical narrative, particularly in the context of the Davidic line and the southern kingdom of Judah.

Parents:

· Solomon: Rehoboam's father, Solomon, was renowned for his wisdom and for building the First Temple in Jerusalem. Solomon's reign was a time of great prosperity and peace, but his later years were marked by idolatry and political alliances through numerous marriages, which ultimately led to divine judgment on his house (1 Kings 11:1-13).

· Naamah: Rehoboam's mother, Naamah, was an Ammonite princess. Her foreign origin is noted in the biblical text, highlighting the political alliances Solomon formed through marriage. "Rehoboam's mother was Naamah the Ammonite" (1 Kings 14:21).

Wives and Concubines:

Rehoboam, like his father Solomon, had multiple wives and concubines. His family structure reflects the royal customs of the time, which often involved political marriages to strengthen alliances.

· Mahalath: One of Rehoboam's wives, Mahalath, was the daughter of Jerimoth, son of David, and Abihail, daughter of Eliab, son of Jesse. This marriage further solidified Rehoboam's ties to the Davidic lineage (2 Chronicles 11:18).

· Maacah: Another significant wife of Rehoboam was Maacah, the daughter of Absalom. She bore him several children, including Abijah, who succeeded Rehoboam as king. Maacah held a prominent position as the queen mother (2 Chronicles 11:20-22).

Children:

Rehoboam had numerous children, but the biblical narrative highlights a few key figures:

· Abijah (Abijam): Rehoboam's son by Maacah, Abijah became the king of Judah after Rehoboam's death. His reign was marked by conflict with Jeroboam, the king of Israel, and he continued the Davidic line despite his short reign (1 Kings 15:1-8; 2 Chronicles 13:1-22).

· Attai, Ziza, and Shelomith: These are some of the other children of Rehoboam mentioned in the biblical record. They were part of the royal family and likely held positions of influence within the kingdom (2 Chronicles 11:20).

Legacy:

Rehoboam's family is significant in the biblical narrative as it represents the continuation of the Davidic line through the kingdom of Judah. Despite the division of the kingdom during Rehoboam's reign, the promise to David of an enduring dynasty was maintained through his descendants. The family dynamics, political alliances, and religious practices of Rehoboam's household had lasting implications for the history of Israel and Judah.