The Great Division: Kingdoms of Judah and Israel

The kingdom of Judah and the kingdom of Israel became two separate nations following the death of King Solomon 1 Kings 11:11-13ARSH September 8, 1853, page 68.17. While they were once a single united nation, the division created a distinct house of Judah centered in Jerusalem and a house of Israel that eventually established its capital in Samaria 1 Kings 12:1-20ARSH September 8, 1853, page 68.17+1.

The Great Division 👑

• The Cause of Separation: Because of Solomon’s apostasy, the Lord declared He would rend the kingdom away, leaving only a portion for the house of David 1 Kings 11:11-13ARSH September 8, 1853, page 68.17.

• Rehoboam’s Refusal: When Rehoboam, Solomon's son, refused to lighten the heavy yoke placed upon the people and answered them roughly, the ten tribes rebelled 2 Chronicles 10:1-15ARSH September 8, 1853, page 68.17.

• Two Kingdoms Formed: This rebellion resulted in the formation of the kingdom of Israel under Jeroboam and the kingdom of Judah under Rehoboam 1 Kings 12:20ARSH September 8, 1853, page 68.17+1.

• The Tribal Split: Only the tribes of Judah and Benjamin remained loyal to the house of David in Jerusalem 1 Kings 12:21ARSH September 8, 1853, page 68.17+1.

Jerusalem and the Sanctuary 🕍

• The Chosen City: Jerusalem was specifically chosen by God out of all the tribes of Israel to be the place where His name would dwell forever 2 Kings 21:71NL 120.2+1.

• The Sanctuary Location: The Lord built His sanctuary in Mount Zion, which was located within the territory of Judah Psalm 78:68-69ARSH August 11, 1863, page 84.16+1.

• Religious Tension: To prevent his subjects from returning to Jerusalem to worship, Jeroboam set up golden calves in Bethel and Dan, leading the ten tribes into a continuous course of apostasy 1 Kings 12:26-31ARSH September 8, 1853, page 68.17+1.

Spiritual and National Consequences 📜

• Divine Testimony: The Lord testified against both Israel and Judah by all His prophets, urging them to turn from their evil ways and keep His commandments 2 Kings 17:13EB 242.3.

• Captivity of Israel: Because the ten tribes persisted in sin and rejected God's statutes, they were eventually removed out of His sight and carried captive to Assyria 2 Kings 17:18-23ARSH September 8, 1853, page 68.17+1.

• The Fate of Judah: Although Judah remained for a time, they also walked in the statutes of Israel and provoked the Lord until He determined to remove them also from His sight and cast off the city of Jerusalem 2 Kings 23:27KJV — 2Kings 23:26+1.

A Future Unity ✨

• The New Covenant: The Lord has promised to make a new covenant with both the house of Israel and the house of Judah, writing His law in their hearts Jeremiah 31:31-33SOTC 3.1+1.

• Restoration of One Nation: Prophecy points to a time when these two houses will no longer be divided but will be made one nation in the hand of the Lord Ezekiel 37:22KJV — Ezekiel 37:16+1.

• A Heavenly City: Ultimately, the redeemed will belong to the heavenly Jerusalem, a quiet habitation that shall not be taken down, where God Himself will dwell with His people Isaiah 33:20+1BP1 23.1+1.