2 Chronicles 12:1
And it came to pass, when Rehoboam had established the kingdom, and had strengthened himself, he forsook the law of the LORD, and all Israel with him. And it came to pass, when Rehoboam had established the kingdom, and had strengthened himself, he forsook the law of the LORD, and all Israel with him.
The turning came only after the kingdom was established and made strong, when security in his own strength had settled upon him. Then he abandoned the law of the Lord, and his example drew all Israel with him into the same apostasy. The people followed where the king led, so that the break was not his alone but a national turning with him.
Before that break he had at times tried to serve God and had received some measure of prosperity, yet he was not steadfast. His early efforts did not hold, and the prosperity given him did not make him firm. His growing trust in his position and in his fortified strongholds fed his inherited weaknesses and moved him toward idolatry. Neglected early training and the evil influence of his idolatrous upbringing contributed to that apostasy and eventually prevailed over him.
His experience stands as a warning that those in high positions of authority are in great danger of being drawn away from loyalty to God through association with worldly influences. The words all Israel with him show that a ruler's example can lead many away from God. Wrongdoing reaches beyond the doer, and those who encourage or strengthen others in evil, or who strengthen or stir up the evil around them, share in its sin.