NOTE.—The kingdom of Israel was divided because of the idolatry of Solomon. The prophet Ahijah had told Jeroboam, one of Solomon’s officers, that he should reign over ten tribes, but the division should not take place until after Solomon’s death. When Rehoboam, Solomon’s son, came to the throne, the people, headed by Jeroboam, asked him to lighten some of the burdens that his father had imposed upon them. Acting upon the counsel of his young and inexperienced associates, rather than upon the advice of the older men, the king refused the request of the people. See chap. 11:26 to 12:15. Then follow the events recorded in our lesson.
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, 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 levy; and all Israel stoned him with stones, that he died. And 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 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.”
21 “And when Rehoboam was come to Jerusalem, he assembled all the house of Judah, and 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 rest 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 of Me. So they hearkened unto the word of the Lord, and returned and went their way, according to the word of the Lord.”
25 “Then Jeroboam built Shechem in the hill country of Ephraim, and dwelt therein; and he went out from thence, and built Penuel.”
Golden Text: “A soft answer turneth away wrath; but grievous words stir up anger.”Prov. 15:1.
SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.
(1) When the ten tribes saw that the king would not hearken to them, how did they answer him? V. 16. Note 1. (2) What was the general response to this cry? Same v. (3) What did those of the ten tribes do who resided in Judah? V. 17. Whom did Rehoboam send to mediate with the revolting tribes? (4) How was he received? Same v. Note 2. (5) What then did Rehoboam do? Same v. (6) What was the result of this great demonstration? V. 19. (7) Whom did the ten tribes call to rule over them? V. 20. Note 3. (8) When Rehoboam returned to Jerusalem, what course did he propose? V. 21. (9) How was he prevented from carrying out his purpose? Vs. 22-24. Note 4. (10) What was the result of this counsel? V. 24, last part. (11) How did Jeroboam set about building up his kingdom? V. 25. Note 5.
NOTES.
1. AS THE royal family belonged to the tribe of Judah, and the capital city, Jerusalem, was in Judah, the other tribes felt that their rights or demands could have no just consideration from that quarter; therefore they could have no interest in common with the kingly tribe. “See to thine own house, David,” meant that the seed of Jesse would have no more support from the ten tribes. The Lord had preserved one tribe, that His promise to David concerning the Messiah might be fulfilled. See chapter 11:13, 36; 2 Sam. 7:12, 13; Ps. 132:11; Acts 2:29-36. This was also in pursuance of the covenant made with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and was the objective point of the national covenant made with Israel at Sinai. See Ex. 19:4-6; 32:11-14; Deut. 4:37; 7:6-8; 10:15.
2. REHOBOAM showed very poor judgment, or the folly of his advisers, when he sent Adoram (or Adoniram) to pacify the discontented people. This man was the head of the revenue department, and the heavy taxation and enforced labor, caused by the extravagant life of Solomon and his many public works, were the principal causes of complaint, and which Rehoboam had threatened to make still heavier. But the young king had undertaken to overcome a decree of the Lord, and therefore could not be expected to do anything wisely in the furtherance of such a purpose.
3. JEROBOAM had fled to Egypt soon after the prophet Abijah showed him that he was to be king over the ten tribes. He took this precaution in order to save his life; for Solomon, on hearing of the prophecy, had sought to put him to death. But when he heard of the death of Solomon, he returned to the land of Israel.
4. THE LORD showed his characteristic kindness in sending a message of warning to Rehoboam. He is always long-suffering toward men who seem determined to throw away golden opportunities. He always “pities the straying.” Furthermore, the rash act of Rehoboam in going to war with a much stronger people was endangering the maintenance of the kingdom of Judah, which God especially proposed to preserve on account of his covenant promises.
5. “JEROBOAM built Shechem;” that is, he enlarged and fortified the old town for his capital, virtually making a new city of it. But he afterwards removed the capital to Tirzah, a few miles distant. I Kings 14:17; 16:23. The capital was retained here until the time of Ahab, who removed it to Samaria. Penuel is the same as Peniel, at the fords of the Jabbok, east of Jordan, near where Jacob wrestled with the angel. This was a fortress for the defense of the eastern portion of the kingdom.
