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Rehoboam’s Arrogance: The Kingdom Torn Apart
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heavily and to require much lowly service. Before crowning a new
ruler, the leading men determined to find out whether Solomon’s
son intended to lessen these burdens. “Jeroboam and all Israel came
and spoke to Rehoboam, saying, ‘Your father made our yoke heavy;
now therefore, lighten the burdensome service of your father and his
[33]
heavy yoke which he put upon us, and we will serve you.’”
Wanting to counsel with his advisers before outlining his policy,
Rehoboam answered, “‘Come back to me after three days.’ And
the people departed. Then King Rehoboam consulted the elders
who stood before his father Solomon while he still lived, saying,
‘How do you advise me to answer these people?’ And they spoke to
him, saying, ‘If you are kind to these people, and please them, and
speak good words to them, they will be your servants forever.’”
2
Chronicles 10:3-7
.
The Mistake That Could Never Be Undone
Dissatisfied, Rehoboam turned to younger men who had been
his companions during his youth: “What advice do you give? How
should we answer this people who have spoken to me, saying,
‘Lighten the yoke which your father put on us?’”
1 Kings 12:9
.
The young men suggested that he deal sternly with his subjects and
make plain to them that he would tolerate no interference with his
personal wishes.
So it happened that on the day appointed for Rehoboam to make
a statement concerning his policy, he “answered the people roughly,
... 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
scourges!’”
Verses 13, 14
. Rehoboam’s expressed determination
to increase the oppression of Solomon’s reign conflicted directly
with God’s plan for Israel. In this unfeeling attempt to exercise
power, the king and his counselors revealed their pride of position
and authority.
Many people had become thoroughly alarmed over Solomon’s
oppressive measures, and these now felt that they had no other choice
than to rebel against the house of David. “When all Israel saw that
the king did not listen to them, the people answered the king, saying,
‘What share have we in David? ... To your tents, O Israel! Now,