Topical Bible: The Jews: Divided Into Two Kingdoms After Solomon

◄ The Jews: Divided Into Two Kingdoms After Solomon ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

The division of the united monarchy of Israel into two separate kingdoms is a pivotal event in biblical history, marking a significant shift in the narrative of the Jewish people. This division occurred shortly after the reign of King Solomon, the son of David, whose rule is often remembered for its wisdom, wealth, and the construction of the First Temple in Jerusalem.

Background and Causes

Solomon's reign, while prosperous, was also marked by heavy taxation and forced labor to support his extensive building projects and lavish lifestyle. As recorded in 1 Kings 11, Solomon's heart turned away from the LORD due to his marriages to foreign women who led him to idolatry. This apostasy incurred divine displeasure, and God declared that the kingdom would be torn from Solomon's son, though not entirely for the sake of David, Solomon's father.

The Division

Upon Solomon's death, his son Rehoboam ascended to the throne. The people of Israel, burdened by Solomon's policies, approached Rehoboam at Shechem, seeking relief from the heavy yoke imposed by his father. The elders advised Rehoboam to serve the people and speak kindly to them, but he rejected their counsel, opting instead for the harsh advice of his younger peers. Rehoboam's response, recorded in 1 Kings 12:14 , was, "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."

This harsh stance led to the rebellion of the northern tribes, who declared, "What portion do we have in David? We have no inheritance in the son of Jesse. To your tents, O Israel!" (1 Kings 12:16). Consequently, the kingdom was divided into the northern kingdom of Israel, consisting of ten tribes under Jeroboam, and the southern kingdom of Judah, comprising the tribes of Judah and Benjamin, remaining under Rehoboam's rule.

The Northern Kingdom: Israel

The northern kingdom, often referred to simply as Israel, established its capital initially at Shechem and later at Samaria. Jeroboam, the first king, sought to solidify his rule by setting up golden calves at Bethel and Dan, leading the people into idolatry (1 Kings 12:28-30). This act of apostasy set a precedent for the northern kingdom, which was characterized by a succession of dynasties and widespread idolatry, ultimately leading to its downfall and exile by the Assyrians in 722 BC.

The Southern Kingdom: Judah

The southern kingdom, known as Judah, retained Jerusalem as its capital and the Davidic line of kings. Despite periods of apostasy, Judah experienced several religious revivals under kings such as Asa, Jehoshaphat, Hezekiah, and Josiah, who sought to return the nation to the worship of Yahweh. However, Judah also fell into idolatry and injustice, leading to its eventual conquest and exile by the Babylonians in 586 BC.

Prophetic Voices and Legacy

Throughout the period of the divided kingdoms, God raised up prophets to call both Israel and Judah back to covenant faithfulness. Prophets like Elijah, Elisha, Amos, and Hosea ministered primarily in the northern kingdom, while Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Micah were prominent voices in Judah. These prophets warned of impending judgment but also spoke of hope and restoration, pointing to a future Messiah and the reunification of God's people.

The division of the kingdom had lasting implications for the Jewish people, shaping their identity and religious practices. It highlighted the consequences of disobedience and the importance of covenant fidelity, themes that resonate throughout the biblical narrative.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Kings 11:31,32
And he said to Jeroboam, Take you ten pieces: for thus said the LORD, the God of Israel, Behold, I will rend the kingdom out of the hand of Solomon, and will give ten tribes to you:
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 Millennium in Relation to Israel.
... of Titus; hundreds of thousands of Jews were slain ... told that it is not until "after"
God has ... nations, neither shall they be divided into two kingdoms any more ...
/.../pink/the redeemers return/4 the millennium in relation.htm

The Historical Books.
... in the books of Kings may be conveniently divided into three periods ... his death the
nation relapsed again into idolatry and ... after the return of the Jews from the ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xx the historical books.htm

Judaism.
... its glory in David and Solomon; split into two hostile kingdoms ... the Pharisees and
Sadducees reappears among modern Jews, who are divided into the orthodox ...
/.../schaff/history of the christian church volume i/section 9 judaism.htm

Egypt
... influenced the history of Israel, and the Jews of Alexandria ... Egypt was divided into
several kingdoms, which were gradually unified into two only, those of ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter v egypt.htm

The Antiquities of the Jews
... And Destroyed Their Whole Army And Then Divided Their Land By ... To Caius; And How Caius
Sent Petronius Into Syria To ... CHAPTER 9. What Befell The Jews That Were In ...
//christianbookshelf.org/josephus/the antiquities of the jews/

The Books of Samuel and Kings.
... Twelve Prophets, which is called among the Jews [5396] Thare ... eighth, Ezra, which
itself is likewise divided amongst Greeks and Latins into [5398] two ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/the books of samuel and.htm

The Earlier Hebrew Histories.
... shall none belonging to them enter into the assembly ... In the recent Hebrew Bibles
they are divided, however, as in ... no hint of the return of the Jews from their ...
/.../gladden/who wrote the bible/chapter iv the earlier hebrew.htm

The Nations of the South-East
... The two nations never forgot that they were of ... of Edom rather than of the Jews,
differing from ... Like the Israelites, they were divided into twelve tribes, the ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter iii the nations of.htm

The Apocalypse of Baruch.
... as being addressed to the Eastern Jews, was soon ... i.-lxxvii., is divided into seven
sections, the close of ... For since by his transgression came into the world ...
//christianbookshelf.org/deane/pseudepigrapha/the apocalypse of baruch.htm

The Twelve Minor Prophets.
... The book of Zechariah may be naturally divided, according to its contents, into
three parts ... Alexander the Great (9:1-8), the conflict of the Jews with their ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxiii the twelve minor.htm