Rehoboam, the son of Solomon and grandson of David, was the first king of the southern kingdom of Judah following the division of the united monarchy of Israel. His reign is chronicled in the biblical books of 1 Kings and 2 Chronicles, providing insight into his leadership and the spiritual state of Judah during his time.

Background and Early Reign

Rehoboam ascended to the throne around 931 BC, following the death of his father, Solomon. His reign began with a significant challenge when the northern tribes of Israel, led by Jeroboam, rebelled against his rule, resulting in the division of the kingdom. Rehoboam's harsh response to the people's request for lighter burdens, as recorded in 1 Kings 12:13-14, led to the secession of the ten northern tribes, forming the kingdom of Israel.

Religious and Political Climate

The latter part of Rehoboam's reign was marked by a mixture of religious apostasy and attempts at reform. Initially, Rehoboam and the people of Judah engaged in practices that were contrary to the covenantal laws given to Israel. 2 Chronicles 12:1 notes, "After Rehoboam had established his sovereignty and royal power, he and all Israel with him forsook the law of the LORD."

This period of spiritual decline invited divine judgment. In the fifth year of Rehoboam's reign, Shishak, the king of Egypt, attacked Jerusalem and carried off treasures from the house of the LORD and the royal palace (1 Kings 14:25-26). This invasion was a direct consequence of Judah's unfaithfulness, as the prophet Shemaiah conveyed to Rehoboam and the leaders of Judah (2 Chronicles 12:5).

Repentance and Divine Mercy

In response to the prophetic warning, Rehoboam and the leaders of Judah humbled themselves, acknowledging the LORD's righteousness. 2 Chronicles 12:6-7 records their repentance and God's subsequent mercy: "So the leaders of Israel and the king humbled themselves and said, 'The LORD is righteous.' When the LORD saw that they had humbled themselves, the word of the LORD came to Shemaiah, saying, 'They have humbled themselves; I will not destroy them but will grant them some deliverance.'"

This act of humility spared Judah from complete destruction, although they became subject to Shishak, serving as a reminder of their dependence on God.

Legacy and Conclusion

Rehoboam reigned for seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city chosen by the LORD to put His Name there (1 Kings 14:21). Despite his initial failures, the latter part of his reign demonstrated the potential for repentance and divine forgiveness. Rehoboam's story serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of forsaking God's commandments and the importance of humility and repentance.

Rehoboam's reign concluded with his death, and he was succeeded by his son Abijah (1 Kings 14:31). His legacy is a complex tapestry of political strife, spiritual decline, and moments of redemption, reflecting the broader narrative of Judah's kings and their relationship with God.1 Kings 12:21-24
And when Rehoboam was come to Jerusalem, he assembled all the house of Judah, with the tribe of Benjamin, an hundred and fourscore thousand chosen men, which were warriors, to fight against the house of Israel, to bring the kingdom again to Rehoboam the son of Solomon.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Kings 14:21-31
And Rehoboam the son of Solomon reigned in Judah. Rehoboam was forty and one years old when he began to reign, and he reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city which the LORD did choose out of all the tribes of Israel, to put his name there. And his mother's name was Naamah an Ammonitess.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Chronicles 10:17-12:16
But as for the children of Israel that dwelled in the cities of Judah, Rehoboam reigned over them.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

The New Garment Bent
... the same principles as the Books of Kings, the divine ... casts the veil of the stereotyped
summary over the miserable ... age, when he died; for he reigned forty years ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the new garment bent.htm

How to Split a Kingdom
... dwelt in the cities of Judah, Rehoboam reigned over them.'"1 ... Rehoboam goes to Shechem,
because 'Israel was gone ... in rebellion against Solomon (1 Kings 11:26 ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/how to split a kingdom.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 Nations of the South-East
... was established at Gur-Baal in the south of Judah. ... the days of Tiglath-pileser the
kings of Saba ... from Babylonia, and the dynasty which reigned over Babylon in ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter iii the nations of.htm

Questions.
... v.19. 6. What change for the better passed over the Jews? ... 28. What kind of kings
followed Ptolemy Euergetes? ... 1. Who were the two brothers who reigned together? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/questions.htm

The Old Testament and Archeology
... The allied kings of Israel, Judah, and Edom marched with their armies against ... My
father reigned over Moab for thirty years, and I reigned after my father. ...
/.../the christian view of the old testament/chapter iv the old testament.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 Assumption of Moses
... truly of Archelaus alone, for Antipas reigned 43 years ... walls, and nine will I watch
over, and they ... He proceeds: "Soon shall ruling kings arise, [139] calling ...
//christianbookshelf.org/deane/pseudepigrapha/the assumption of moses.htm

Egypt
... followed by six dynasties of kings, who reigned in all ... the sculptor has thrown an
idealised divinity over the face ... and more power, until under the kings of the ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter v egypt.htm

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