Topical Encyclopedia
Rehoboam, the son of Solomon and Naamah the Ammonitess, ascended to the throne of Israel following the death of his father, Solomon. His reign marks a pivotal moment in the history of Israel, characterized by the division of the united monarchy and the subsequent formation of two separate kingdoms: Judah and Israel.
Background and Ascension to the ThroneRehoboam's rise to power is chronicled in
1 Kings 12 and
2 Chronicles 10. Upon Solomon's death, Rehoboam traveled to Shechem, where all Israel had gathered to make him king. The people of Israel, led by Jeroboam son of Nebat, approached Rehoboam with a request to lighten the heavy yoke that Solomon had placed upon them. They sought relief from the burdensome labor and high taxes imposed during Solomon's reign, which had been used to support his extensive building projects and lavish lifestyle.
The Counsel of the Elders and the Young MenRehoboam's response to this request would prove to be a defining moment in his reign. He first consulted the elders who had served his father Solomon. These seasoned advisors counseled Rehoboam to serve the people and speak kindly to them, suggesting that this would secure their loyalty (
1 Kings 12:7). However, Rehoboam also sought the advice of the young men he had grown up with, who advised him to increase the burdens on the people, asserting his authority with harshness (
1 Kings 12:10-11).
The Division of the KingdomRejecting the counsel of the elders, Rehoboam followed the advice of the young men. He declared to the people, "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" (
1 Kings 12:14). This harsh response led to a significant revolt. The ten northern tribes rejected Rehoboam's rule, proclaiming Jeroboam as their king, thus forming the separate kingdom of Israel. Only the tribes of Judah and Benjamin remained loyal to Rehoboam, constituting the kingdom of Judah.
Rehoboam's Attempt to Reunite the KingdomIn the aftermath of the division, Rehoboam sought to reunite the kingdom by force. He assembled an army of 180,000 chosen warriors from Judah and Benjamin to fight against the house of Israel. However, the word of God came to Shemaiah, the man of God, instructing Rehoboam and the people not to fight against their brothers, the Israelites, for this division was from the Lord (
1 Kings 12:22-24). Obedient to this divine command, Rehoboam refrained from waging war against the northern kingdom.
ConclusionThe early part of Rehoboam's reign is marked by his failure to heed wise counsel, resulting in the division of the united monarchy. This division had lasting implications for the history of the Israelites, leading to distinct political, religious, and cultural developments in the northern and southern kingdoms. Rehoboam's story serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of wise leadership and the consequences of pride and harshness in governance.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
1 Kings 12:1-20And Rehoboam went to Shechem: for all Israel were come to Shechem to make him king.
Torrey's Topical Textbook2 Chronicles 10:1-16
And Rehoboam went to Shechem: for to Shechem were all Israel come to make him king.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Library
The New Garment Bent
... And the time that Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel was forty ... of David
his father: and Rehoboam his son reigned in his stead.'"1 Kings 11:26-43 ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the new garment bent.htm
Concerning Rehoboam, and How God Inflicted Punishment Upon Him for ...
... he had lived fifty-seven years, and reigned seventeen ... Jerusalem, in the sepulchers
of the kings; and his ... in the eighteenth year of Jeroboam's reign over the ten ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 10 concerning rehoboam and.htm
How to Split a Kingdom
... which dwelt in the cities of Judah, Rehoboam reigned over them.'"1 ... been in rebellion
against Solomon (1 Kings 11:26 ... his appearance as the leader was all but a ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/how to split a kingdom.htm
The Historical Books.
... infinite perfections and of his supreme power over the nations ... columns, first the
names of the Persian kings in their ... 1: He was a usurper who reigned less than ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xx the historical books.htm
The Israelites
... under Ramses I., whose grandson, Ramses II., reigned for sixty ... superseded by the
king, and the kings of Edom ... afforded him of extending his rule over the south ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter i the israelites.htm
The Earlier Hebrew Histories.
... the "Song of Hannah," David's exquisite lament over Saul and ... began to reign in Israel
(2 Kings 15:30 ... reached a twentieth year, but only reigned sixteen years (xv ...
/.../gladden/who wrote the bible/chapter iv the earlier hebrew.htm
The History of Solomon
... that was made in that temple, but I pass over. ... And after this divers kings became
adversaries to Solomon ... He reigned upon all Israel in Jerusalem forty years ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/the history of solomon.htm
The Nations of the South-East
... from Babylonia, and the dynasty which reigned over Babylon in ... had arisen, and powerful
dynasties of kings had held ... It is to Arabia, in all probability, that we ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter iii the nations of.htm
The Old Testament and Archeology
... The allied kings of Israel, Judah, and Edom marched with their armies against the ...
My father reigned over Moab for thirty years, and I reigned after my ...
/.../the christian view of the old testament/chapter iv the old testament.htm
We Arrive Now at a Branch of Our Subject Upon which the Lord's ...
... great beasts, which are four, are four kings (or kingdoms ... when did heaven and earth
and all that is ... to the earth whether Babylon was reigned over by Chaldeans ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the antichrist/we arrive now at a.htm
Resources
Summary of the Book of 2 Kings - Bible Survey | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the divine right of kings? | GotQuestions.orgSummary of the Book of 1 Kings - Bible Survey | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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