INTRODUCTORY NOTE.—The division of the kingdom of Israel came about in this wise: Because Solomon had led the people into idolatry, the Lord had declared through the prophet Ahijah that He would rend ten tribes out of the hand of Solomon, and give them to Jeroboam, one of Solomon’s servants. 1 Kings 11:26-33. One tribe was to be left to Solomon because of the Lord’s oath to David regarding his seed. 2 Sam. 7:12-16; Ps. 132:11; Acts 2:29-31. Also for David’s sake, the kingdom was allowed to remain intact until Solomon’s death. But the Lord said He would take the kingdom out of the hand of Solomon’s son, and give ten tribes to Jeroboam. 1 Kings 11:34-39. When Solomon heard of this declaration through the prophet Ahijah, he sought to kill Jeroboam; but Jeroboam fled to Egypt, and remained there until the death of Solomon. Verse 40. After the death of his father, Rehoboam went to Shechem, where the people had gathered to crown him king. Here a delegation of the northern tribes, headed by Jeroboam, requested of him a promise that he would lighten the burden of taxes and imposed labor, which had been exacted by Solomon. Rehoboam asked for three days in which to answer. He first consulted the old men who had been with his father, and they advised that he grant the people’s request. Then he sought counsel of the young men of his own set, and they advised him not to yield to the people’s demand.
(12) “So Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam the third day, as the king bade, saying, Come to me again the third day. (13) And the king answered the people roughly, and forsook the counsel of the old men which they had given him, (14) and spake to them after the counsel of the young men, saying, My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add to your yoke; my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions. (15) So the king hearkened not unto the people; for it was a thing brought about of Jehovah, that He might establish His word, that Jehovah spake by Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam the son of Nebat.
(16) “And 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, O David. So Israel departed unto their tents. (17) But as for the children of Israel that dwelt in the cities of Judah, Rehoboam reigned over them. (18) Then king Rehoboam sent Adoram, who was over the men subject to task-work; and all Israel stoned him to death with stones. And king Rehoboam made speed to get him up to his chariot, to flee to Jerusalem. (19) So Israel rebelled against the house of David unto this day. (20) And it came to pass, when all Israel heard that Jeroboam was returned, 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.”
Golden Text.—“Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” Prov. 16:18.
SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.
(1) Who came to the king according to appointment? Verse 12. Note 1. (2) Then how did the king answer their petition? How had he regarded the counsel of the old men? Verse 13. Note 2. (3) Whose counsel did the king heed? What did he say of the yoke that he would place upon them? And what of the chastisements? Verse 14. Note 3. (4) What is further said of the king’s refusal to hearken unto the people? Verse 15. (See editorial article, “Brought about of Jehovah,” page 7.) (5) When the people saw that the king would not regard their welfare, what did they say to him? What cry did they then raise? Verse 16. Note 4. (6) What part of the kingdom remained loyal to Rehoboam? Verse 17. (7) What means did Rehoboam adopt in order to allay excitement of the people? How did the people meet this unwise action? Then what did the king do? Verse 18. Note 5. (8) How extensive was this rebellion? Verse 19. Note 6. (9) When the people throughout the country heard that Jeroboam was returned, what did they do? What tribe was the only exception? Verse 20.
NOTES.
1. “All the people” evidently means all the representatives of the people present at the convocation. No doubt it was a very large representation, one that would express the sentiment of the masses quite generally.
2. Rehoboam had a grand opportunity before him. Even Jeroboam, who had the promise of dominion over ten tribes, offered to yield allegiance to him if he would simply relieve the people of unjust service. Had Rehoboam been so disposed, he could have thus secured sufficient influence to have led them out of their idolatry. In such case the division of the kingdom might have been averted. But the king lost his golden opportunity by disregarding the counsel of the old men, whose sympathies were with the people.
3. The chastisement by scorpions instead of whips may have been merely an illustrative comparison of the treatment that the people might expect in lieu of what they had received under Solomon; but it may have had reference to literal means of enforcing labor. The compulsory labor, such as Solomon exacted of the people in aggrandizing Jerusalem, would not be performed willingly, and, no doubt, the lash was freely used to increase the amount of work performed. Rehoboam’s threat was that instead of whips in punishment of indolence or stubbornness, he would use “scorpions”—thongs thickly set with sharp iron points, commonly used in castigating slaves.
4. “What portion have we in David?”—What have we to do with the family of David, as represented in Rehoboam, or with Judah, David’s tribe? “To your tents, O Israel!” was an expression signifying to make ready for war.
5. The poor judgment of the young king was shown in sending Adoram, or Adoniram, to induce the people to remain loyal. He was the man who had been in charge of the enforced labor, of which the people complained, and was the very last man who would be likely to have any conciliating influence. Besides, it is more than probable that Adoram attempted to use his authority as taskmaster in compelling submission to the king. With all of Solomon’s wisdom it would seem that very little of it had fallen to the lot of his only son. This, however, is easily accounted for. The young man had evidently been brought up under the influence of his mother, Naamah, who was an Ammonite princess, and a worshiper of Moloch.
6. “Unto this day” means unto the day the record was written. But, as a matter of fact, the breach never was healed as between the two people. However, the Gospel has united those individuals of the two parties who have given themselves to Christ. It is only in Him that Israel can be united, and in Him all the true Israel—the spiritual seed—will be united in the coming kingdom. “Unto Him shall the obedience [‘gathering,’ A. V.] of the people be.” Gen. 49:10. “And so all Israel shall be saved.” Rom. 11:26.
