I Kings 12: The Kingdom Divided
And Rehoboam went to Shechem: for all Israel were come to Shechem to make him king.
And it came to pass, when Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who was yet in Egypt, heard of it, (for he was fled from the presence of king Solomon, and Jeroboam dwelt in Egypt;)
That they sent and called him. And Jeroboam and all the congregation of Israel came, and spake unto Rehoboam, saying,
Thy father made our yoke grievous: now therefore make thou the grievous service of thy father, and his heavy yoke which he put upon us, lighter, and we will serve thee.
And he said unto them, Depart yet for three days, then come again to me. And the people departed.
And king Rehoboam consulted with the old men, that stood before Solomon his father while he yet lived, and said, How do ye advise that I may answer this people?
And they spake unto him, saying, If thou wilt be a servant unto this people this day, and wilt serve them, and answer them, and speak good words to them, then they will be thy servants for ever.
But he forsook the counsel of the old men, which they had given him, and consulted with the young men that were grown up with him, and which stood before him:
And he said unto them, What counsel give ye that we may answer this people, who have spoken to me, saying, Make the yoke which thy father did put upon us lighter?
And the young men that were grown up with him spake unto him, saying, Thus shalt thou speak unto this people that spake unto thee, saying, Thy father made our yoke heavy, but make thou it lighter unto us; thus shalt thou say unto them, My little finger shall be thicker than my father’s loins.
And now whereas my father did lade you with a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke: my father hath chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.
So Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam the third day, as the king had appointed, saying, Come to me again the third day.
And the king answered the people roughly, and forsook the old men’s counsel that they gave him;
And spake to them after the counsel of the young men, saying, My father made your yoke heavy, and I will add to your yoke: my father also chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.
Wherefore the king hearkened not unto the people; for the cause was from the Lord, that he might perform his saying, which the Lord spake by Ahijah the Shilonite unto Jeroboam the son of Nebat.
So when all Israel saw that the king hearkened not unto them, the people answered the king, saying, What portion have we in David? neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse: to your tents, O Israel: now see to thine own house, David. So Israel departed unto their tents.
But as for the children of Israel which dwelt in the cities of Judah, Rehoboam reigned over them.
Then king Rehoboam sent Adoram, who was over the tribute; and all Israel stoned him with stones, that he died. Therefore king Rehoboam made speed to get him up to his chariot, to flee to Jerusalem.
So Israel rebelled against the house of David unto this day.
And it came to pass, when all Israel heard that Jeroboam was come again, that they sent and called him unto the congregation, and made him king over all Israel: there was none that followed the house of David, but the tribe of Judah only.
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.
But the word of God came unto Shemaiah the man of God, saying,
Speak unto Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, king of Judah, and unto all the house of Judah and Benjamin, and to the remnant of the people, saying,
Thus saith the Lord, Ye shall not go up, nor fight against your brethren the children of Israel: return every man to his house; for this thing is from me. They hearkened therefore to the word of the Lord, and returned to depart, according to the word of the Lord.
Then Jeroboam built Shechem in mount Ephraim, and dwelt therein; and went out from thence, and built Penuel.
And Jeroboam said in his heart, Now shall the kingdom return to the house of David:
If this people go up to do sacrifice in the house of the Lord at Jerusalem, then shall the heart of this people turn again unto their lord, even unto Rehoboam king of Judah, and they shall kill me, and go again to Rehoboam king of Judah.
Whereupon the king took counsel, and made two calves of gold, and said unto them, It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem: behold thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.
And he set the one in Beth–el, and the other put he in Dan.
And this thing became a sin: for the people went to worship before the one, even unto Dan.
And he made an house of high places, and made priests of the lowest of the people, which were not of the sons of Levi.
And Jeroboam ordained a feast in the eighth month, on the fifteenth day of the month, like unto the feast that is in Judah, and he offered upon the altar. So did he in Beth–el, sacrificing unto the calves that he had made: and he placed in Beth–el the priests of the high places which he had made.
So he offered upon the altar which he had made in Beth–el the fifteenth day of the eighth month, even in the month which he had devised of his own heart; and ordained a feast unto the children of Israel: and he offered upon the altar, and burnt incense.
I Kings 12 marks a pivotal turning point in Israel's history. It's a chapter brimming with political miscalculations, spiritual compromise, and the painful consequences of disobedience. This chapter reveals how God's judgment on Solomon's unfaithfulness, foretold earlier, was executed through the actions of his son, Rehoboam, and the subsequent rebellion led by Jeroboam. Understanding this chapter provides crucial insight into the divided kingdom and its tragic trajectory.
Rehoboam's Fateful Decision (I Kings 12:1-19)
Following Solomon's death, the people gathered at Shechem (12:1) to enthrone Rehoboam. Shechem held deep historical significance for Israel. It was there God first appeared to Abraham, promising him the land (Genesis 12:4-7). Jacob settled there (Genesis 33:18-20), and Joseph was buried there after the Exodus (Joshua 24:32). Located between Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim, it was also where Joshua led the Israelites in renewing their covenant with God (Joshua 24:16-22). Its northern location made it a strategic choice for Rehoboam’s coronation, possibly aimed at bridging the divide between the northern and southern tribes (see 2 Samuel 19:40–20:1-2).
The people, weary of the heavy taxation and forced labor imposed by Solomon, appealed to Rehoboam for relief (12:2-4). They offered their loyalty in exchange for a lighter burden: "Lighten the harsh service of your father and his heavy yoke on us, and we will serve you" (12:4).
Rehoboam wisely sought counsel from the elders who had served his father (12:5-7). They advised him to be a servant leader, understanding that by serving the people's best interests, he would, in turn, secure their loyalty. This echoes the principle Jesus later taught: "whoever leads" should be "like the one serving" (Luke 22:26). True leadership is about serving those under your care.
Tragically, Rehoboam rejected this sound advice and instead sought the counsel of his younger peers (12:8). These young advisors, driven by arrogance and a thirst for power, urged him to respond harshly to the people's request (12:10-11). They advocated for even greater oppression, believing it would demonstrate Rehoboam's authority.
Rehoboam, foolishly heeding the advice of the younger men, delivered a defiant and insensitive response (12:12-14). The text emphasizes that this disastrous decision was part of God's plan to fulfill the prophecy spoken through Ahijah (12:15; see 11:29-39). Proverbs 21:1 reminds us, "A king’s heart is like channeled water in the LORD’s hand: He directs it wherever he chooses." God, in His sovereignty, used Rehoboam's poor choices to bring about His predetermined will.
The people, enraged by Rehoboam's arrogance, responded with a cry reminiscent of Sheba's rebellion against David (12:16; see 2 Samuel 20:1), signaling their secession from the kingdom. This marked the beginning of the divided kingdom. Only Judah remained loyal to Rehoboam, along with Benjamin, whose territory was adjacent to Judah (see 12:21). The people even stoned Adoram, Rehoboam's head of forced labor, to death, and Rehoboam barely escaped with his life (12:18-19).
Jeroboam's Reign and Idolatry (I Kings 12:20-33)
The northern tribes crowned Jeroboam as their king, establishing the independent kingdom of Israel (12:20). Rehoboam, upon returning to Jerusalem, prepared for war to reunite the kingdom (12:21). However, God intervened through the prophet Shemaiah, forbidding Judah and Benjamin from fighting their brothers (12:22-24). Rehoboam, this time wisely, obeyed God's command.
Jeroboam, now king of Israel, began to fortify Shechem as his capital (12:25). However, despite God's implicit promise of success if he remained faithful, Jeroboam succumbed to fear and paranoia (12:26-27). He worried that if the people continued to travel to Jerusalem to worship at the temple, their allegiance would eventually return to the house of David.
Driven by this fear, Jeroboam devised a plan to prevent reunification: he established a rival system of worship (12:28). Consulting with advisors, he created two golden calves and placed them in Dan and Bethel (12:28-29), cities at opposite ends of his kingdom. He told the people, "Here are your gods, Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt" (12:28).
This act of idolatry was a grave sin (12:30). It mirrored the Israelites' sin at Mount Sinai when they fashioned a golden calf while Moses was receiving God's law (Exodus 32:1-6). Jeroboam, instead of learning from history, repeated the very sin that had brought judgment upon his ancestors.
Furthermore, Jeroboam built shrines on high places, appointed non-Levite priests, and established a new festival to compete with the one in Jerusalem (12:31-33). All these actions were in direct violation of God's commands. He exchanged the truth of God for a lie, leading the people into idolatry (Romans 1:25).
Lessons for Today
I Kings 12 offers several important lessons for us today.
- The Importance of Wise Counsel: Rehoboam's downfall highlights the crucial role of seeking and heeding wise counsel. We must be discerning in choosing our advisors, prioritizing those with experience, integrity, and a godly perspective.
- The Dangers of Pride and Arrogance: Rehoboam's pride and arrogance blinded him to the needs of his people and led him to make disastrous decisions. Humility and a servant's heart are essential qualities for effective leadership.
- The Consequences of Disobedience: Jeroboam's fear and idolatry demonstrate the devastating consequences of disobeying God. When we prioritize our own desires and fears over God's commands, we open the door to sin and destruction.
- God's Sovereignty: Despite the poor choices of Rehoboam and Jeroboam, God's sovereign plan prevailed. Even in the midst of human failure, God remains in control, working all things according to His purposes.
I Kings 12 is a sobering reminder of the importance of humility, obedience, and seeking wise counsel. May we learn from the mistakes of Rehoboam and Jeroboam and strive to live lives that are pleasing to God.
And Rehoboam went to Shechem: for all Israel were come to Shechem to make him king.
And it came to pass, when Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who was yet in Egypt, heard of it, (for he was fled from the presence of king Solomon, and Jeroboam dwelt in Egypt;)
That they sent and called him. And Jeroboam and all the congregation of Israel came, and spake unto Rehoboam, saying,
Thy father made our yoke grievous: now therefore make thou the grievous service of thy father, and his heavy yoke which he put upon us, lighter, and we will serve thee.
And he said unto them, Depart yet for three days, then come again to me. And the people departed.
And king Rehoboam consulted with the old men, that stood before Solomon his father while he yet lived, and said, How do ye advise that I may answer this people?
And they spake unto him, saying, If thou wilt be a servant unto this people this day, and wilt serve them, and answer them, and speak good words to them, then they will be thy servants for ever.
But he forsook the counsel of the old men, which they had given him, and consulted with the young men that were grown up with him, and which stood before him:
And he said unto them, What counsel give ye that we may answer this people, who have spoken to me, saying, Make the yoke which thy father did put upon us lighter?
And the young men that were grown up with him spake unto him, saying, Thus shalt thou speak unto this people that spake unto thee, saying, Thy father made our yoke heavy, but make thou it lighter unto us; thus shalt thou say unto them, My little finger shall be thicker than my father’s loins.
And now whereas my father did lade you with a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke: my father hath chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.
So Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam the third day, as the king had appointed, saying, Come to me again the third day.
And the king answered the people roughly, and forsook the old men’s counsel that they gave him;
And spake to them after the counsel of the young men, saying, My father made your yoke heavy, and I will add to your yoke: my father also chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.
Wherefore the king hearkened not unto the people; for the cause was from the Lord, that he might perform his saying, which the Lord spake by Ahijah the Shilonite unto Jeroboam the son of Nebat.
So when all Israel saw that the king hearkened not unto them, the people answered the king, saying, What portion have we in David? neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse: to your tents, O Israel: now see to thine own house, David. So Israel departed unto their tents.
But as for the children of Israel which dwelt in the cities of Judah, Rehoboam reigned over them.
Then king Rehoboam sent Adoram, who was over the tribute; and all Israel stoned him with stones, that he died. Therefore king Rehoboam made speed to get him up to his chariot, to flee to Jerusalem.
So Israel rebelled against the house of David unto this day.
And it came to pass, when all Israel heard that Jeroboam was come again, that they sent and called him unto the congregation, and made him king over all Israel: there was none that followed the house of David, but the tribe of Judah only.
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.
But the word of God came unto Shemaiah the man of God, saying,
Speak unto Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, king of Judah, and unto all the house of Judah and Benjamin, and to the remnant of the people, saying,
Thus saith the Lord, Ye shall not go up, nor fight against your brethren the children of Israel: return every man to his house; for this thing is from me. They hearkened therefore to the word of the Lord, and returned to depart, according to the word of the Lord.
Then Jeroboam built Shechem in mount Ephraim, and dwelt therein; and went out from thence, and built Penuel.
And Jeroboam said in his heart, Now shall the kingdom return to the house of David:
If this people go up to do sacrifice in the house of the Lord at Jerusalem, then shall the heart of this people turn again unto their lord, even unto Rehoboam king of Judah, and they shall kill me, and go again to Rehoboam king of Judah.
Whereupon the king took counsel, and made two calves of gold, and said unto them, It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem: behold thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.
And he set the one in Beth–el, and the other put he in Dan.
And this thing became a sin: for the people went to worship before the one, even unto Dan.
And he made an house of high places, and made priests of the lowest of the people, which were not of the sons of Levi.
And Jeroboam ordained a feast in the eighth month, on the fifteenth day of the month, like unto the feast that is in Judah, and he offered upon the altar. So did he in Beth–el, sacrificing unto the calves that he had made: and he placed in Beth–el the priests of the high places which he had made.
So he offered upon the altar which he had made in Beth–el the fifteenth day of the eighth month, even in the month which he had devised of his own heart; and ordained a feast unto the children of Israel: and he offered upon the altar, and burnt incense.
I Kings 12 marks a pivotal turning point in Israel's history. It's a chapter brimming with political miscalculations, spiritual compromise, and the painful consequences of disobedience. This chapter reveals how God's judgment on Solomon's unfaithfulness, foretold earlier, was executed through the actions of his son, Rehoboam, and the subsequent rebellion led by Jeroboam. Understanding this chapter provides crucial insight into the divided kingdom and its tragic trajectory.
Rehoboam's Fateful Decision (I Kings 12:1-19)
Following Solomon's death, the people gathered at Shechem (12:1) to enthrone Rehoboam. Shechem held deep historical significance for Israel. It was there God first appeared to Abraham, promising him the land (Genesis 12:4-7). Jacob settled there (Genesis 33:18-20), and Joseph was buried there after the Exodus (Joshua 24:32). Located between Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim, it was also where Joshua led the Israelites in renewing their covenant with God (Joshua 24:16-22). Its northern location made it a strategic choice for Rehoboam’s coronation, possibly aimed at bridging the divide between the northern and southern tribes (see 2 Samuel 19:40–20:1-2).
The people, weary of the heavy taxation and forced labor imposed by Solomon, appealed to Rehoboam for relief (12:2-4). They offered their loyalty in exchange for a lighter burden: "Lighten the harsh service of your father and his heavy yoke on us, and we will serve you" (12:4).
Rehoboam wisely sought counsel from the elders who had served his father (12:5-7). They advised him to be a servant leader, understanding that by serving the people's best interests, he would, in turn, secure their loyalty. This echoes the principle Jesus later taught: "whoever leads" should be "like the one serving" (Luke 22:26). True leadership is about serving those under your care.
Tragically, Rehoboam rejected this sound advice and instead sought the counsel of his younger peers (12:8). These young advisors, driven by arrogance and a thirst for power, urged him to respond harshly to the people's request (12:10-11). They advocated for even greater oppression, believing it would demonstrate Rehoboam's authority.
Rehoboam, foolishly heeding the advice of the younger men, delivered a defiant and insensitive response (12:12-14). The text emphasizes that this disastrous decision was part of God's plan to fulfill the prophecy spoken through Ahijah (12:15; see 11:29-39). Proverbs 21:1 reminds us, "A king’s heart is like channeled water in the LORD’s hand: He directs it wherever he chooses." God, in His sovereignty, used Rehoboam's poor choices to bring about His predetermined will.
The people, enraged by Rehoboam's arrogance, responded with a cry reminiscent of Sheba's rebellion against David (12:16; see 2 Samuel 20:1), signaling their secession from the kingdom. This marked the beginning of the divided kingdom. Only Judah remained loyal to Rehoboam, along with Benjamin, whose territory was adjacent to Judah (see 12:21). The people even stoned Adoram, Rehoboam's head of forced labor, to death, and Rehoboam barely escaped with his life (12:18-19).
Jeroboam's Reign and Idolatry (I Kings 12:20-33)
The northern tribes crowned Jeroboam as their king, establishing the independent kingdom of Israel (12:20). Rehoboam, upon returning to Jerusalem, prepared for war to reunite the kingdom (12:21). However, God intervened through the prophet Shemaiah, forbidding Judah and Benjamin from fighting their brothers (12:22-24). Rehoboam, this time wisely, obeyed God's command.
Jeroboam, now king of Israel, began to fortify Shechem as his capital (12:25). However, despite God's implicit promise of success if he remained faithful, Jeroboam succumbed to fear and paranoia (12:26-27). He worried that if the people continued to travel to Jerusalem to worship at the temple, their allegiance would eventually return to the house of David.
Driven by this fear, Jeroboam devised a plan to prevent reunification: he established a rival system of worship (12:28). Consulting with advisors, he created two golden calves and placed them in Dan and Bethel (12:28-29), cities at opposite ends of his kingdom. He told the people, "Here are your gods, Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt" (12:28).
This act of idolatry was a grave sin (12:30). It mirrored the Israelites' sin at Mount Sinai when they fashioned a golden calf while Moses was receiving God's law (Exodus 32:1-6). Jeroboam, instead of learning from history, repeated the very sin that had brought judgment upon his ancestors.
Furthermore, Jeroboam built shrines on high places, appointed non-Levite priests, and established a new festival to compete with the one in Jerusalem (12:31-33). All these actions were in direct violation of God's commands. He exchanged the truth of God for a lie, leading the people into idolatry (Romans 1:25).
Lessons for Today
I Kings 12 offers several important lessons for us today.
- The Importance of Wise Counsel: Rehoboam's downfall highlights the crucial role of seeking and heeding wise counsel. We must be discerning in choosing our advisors, prioritizing those with experience, integrity, and a godly perspective.
- The Dangers of Pride and Arrogance: Rehoboam's pride and arrogance blinded him to the needs of his people and led him to make disastrous decisions. Humility and a servant's heart are essential qualities for effective leadership.
- The Consequences of Disobedience: Jeroboam's fear and idolatry demonstrate the devastating consequences of disobeying God. When we prioritize our own desires and fears over God's commands, we open the door to sin and destruction.
- God's Sovereignty: Despite the poor choices of Rehoboam and Jeroboam, God's sovereign plan prevailed. Even in the midst of human failure, God remains in control, working all things according to His purposes.
I Kings 12 is a sobering reminder of the importance of humility, obedience, and seeking wise counsel. May we learn from the mistakes of Rehoboam and Jeroboam and strive to live lives that are pleasing to God.