Topical Bible: Holy Land: Divided Into: Two Kingdoms in the Time of Rehoboam

◄ Holy Land: Divided Into: Two Kingdoms in the Time of Rehoboam ►

Jump to: Torrey's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

The division of the Holy Land into two kingdoms during the reign of Rehoboam marks a significant event in biblical history, reflecting both political and spiritual dynamics within the nation of Israel. This division resulted in the formation of the Northern Kingdom, known as Israel, and the Southern Kingdom, known as Judah.

Background and Causes

The division occurred shortly after the death of King Solomon, whose reign was marked by prosperity and the construction of the First Temple in Jerusalem. However, Solomon's later years were characterized by idolatry and heavy taxation, which sowed seeds of discontent among the tribes of Israel. Upon Solomon's death, his son Rehoboam ascended to the throne. The people, led by Jeroboam, approached Rehoboam at Shechem, seeking relief from the heavy burdens imposed by Solomon. Rehoboam's response, however, was harsh and dismissive, as recorded in 1 Kings 12:14 : "My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add to your yoke. My father disciplined you with whips, but I will discipline you with scorpions."

The Division

Rehoboam's refusal to lighten the people's burdens led to a revolt by the ten northern tribes, who rejected his rule and instead made Jeroboam their king. This event is detailed in 1 Kings 12:16 : "When all Israel saw that the king had refused to listen to them, they answered the king: 'What portion do we have in David? We have no inheritance in the son of Jesse. To your tents, O Israel! Look now to your own house, O David!' So the Israelites went home."

Thus, the kingdom was divided: the Northern Kingdom, or Israel, comprised ten tribes with its capital eventually established in Samaria, while the Southern Kingdom, or Judah, consisted of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin, with Jerusalem as its capital.

Spiritual Implications

The division had profound spiritual implications. The Northern Kingdom quickly fell into idolatry under Jeroboam's leadership, who established golden calves at Bethel and Dan to prevent the people from returning to Jerusalem for worship (1 Kings 12:28-30). This act of apostasy set a pattern of idolatry that plagued Israel throughout its history.

In contrast, the Southern Kingdom of Judah, though not without its own struggles with idolatry, retained the Davidic line of kings and the temple in Jerusalem, maintaining a closer adherence to the worship of Yahweh.

Prophetic and Historical Significance

The division of the kingdom was not only a political event but also a fulfillment of divine prophecy. The prophet Ahijah had foretold the division to Jeroboam, as recorded in 1 Kings 11:31 : "Take ten pieces for yourself, for this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: 'Behold, I will tear the kingdom out of the hand of Solomon and give you ten tribes.'"

This division set the stage for the distinct historical and prophetic paths of the two kingdoms, with Israel eventually falling to the Assyrians in 722 BC and Judah to the Babylonians in 586 BC. The division underscored the consequences of disobedience to God's covenant and the importance of faithful leadership.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Kings 11:35,36
But I will take the kingdom out of his son's hand, and will give it to you, even ten tribes.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Kings 12:19,20
So Israel rebelled against the house of David to this day.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Historical Books.
... the illumination and guidance of the Holy Spirit. ... triumphant possession of the promised
land through the ... of Kings may be conveniently divided into three periods ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xx the historical books.htm

The Earlier Hebrew Histories.
... the epistles of the kings concerning the holy gifts." These ... a period when there was
a king in the land. ... the recent Hebrew Bibles they are divided, however, as ...
/.../gladden/who wrote the bible/chapter iv the earlier hebrew.htm

The First Kings.
... reign, and his departures from God into idolatrous worship ... engaged in civil strife,
and became divided, rival kingdoms ... of a visit by travellers in the Holy Land. ...
/.../headley/half hours in bible lands volume 2/the first kings.htm

Appendices
... '[O my lord,] none has ever made a ship [on this wise] that it should sail over
the land.' ... ... 47. I built six storeys (?), I divided it into seven parts; ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/appendices.htm

Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire ...
... and that is in connection with the one and only Holy of Holies ... thy sons and thy
daughters shall fall by the sword, and thy land shall be divided by line ...
/.../chapter iitiglath-pileser iii and the.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... Pharaoh at this time exercised no authority over ... cities scattered over the undulating
table-land. ... territory they had invaded divided into two kingdoms: in the ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

Seasonable Counsel: Or, Advice to Sufferers.
... He may, indeed, see men parting his land, his household stuff ... the comforts of his
Spirit, to lead us into the glory of ... Noah and Lot, who so holy as they, in the ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/seasonable counsel or advice to.htm

An Exposition on the First Ten Chapters of Genesis, and Part of ...
... For though before the light was divided from the darkness ... one is for compassing the
whole land of Havilah ... Lord, and had bloodily butchered his holy brother, then ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/an exposition on the first.htm