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Prophets and Kings
to pursue, Rehoboam “answered the people roughly, ... 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.”
Verses 12-14
.
Had Rehoboam and his inexperienced counselors understood the
divine will concerning Israel, they would have listened to the request
of the people for decided reforms in the administration of the gov-
ernment. But in the hour of opportunity that came to them during
the meeting in Shechem, they failed to reason from cause to effect,
and thus forever weakened their influence over a large number of the
people. Their expressed determination to perpetuate and add to the op-
pression introduced during Solomon’s reign was in direct conflict with
God’s plan for Israel, and gave the people ample occasion to doubt
the sincerity of their motives. In this unwise and unfeeling attempt to
exercise power, the king and his chosen counselors revealed the pride
of position and authority.
The Lord did not allow Rehoboam to carry out the policy he had
outlined. Among the tribes were many thousands who had become
thoroughly aroused over the oppressive measures of Solomon’s reign,
and these now felt that they could not do otherwise than rebel against
the house of David. “When all Israel saw that the king hearkened not
unto them, the people answered the king, saying, What portion have
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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.”
Verse 16
.
The breach created by the rash speech of Rehoboam proved ir-
reparable. Thenceforth the twelve tribes of Israel were divided, the
tribes of Judah and Benjamin composing the lower or southern king-
dom of Judah, under the rulership of Rehoboam; while the ten northern
tribes formed and maintained a separate government, known as the
kingdom of Israel, with Jeroboam as their ruler. Thus was fulfilled
the prediction of the prophet concerning the rending of the kingdom.
“The cause was from the Lord.”
Verse 15
.
When Rehoboam saw the ten tribes withdrawing their allegiance
from him, he was aroused to action. Through one of the influential
men of his kingdom, “Adoram, who was over the tribute,” he made
an effort to conciliate them. But the ambassador of peace received
treatment which bore witness to the feeling against Rehoboam. “All