Rehoboam



The Lord was greatly displeased with Solomon for going after other gods, and told him that the kingdom should be taken from him, or rather from his son; for, because of the respect which he had for David, this evil was to be deferred until after Solomon's death. The Lord also promised that Solomon's son should sit on his father's throne in Jerusalem, and reign over the tribes of Judah and Benjamin.

And the Lord stirred up powerful enemies against Solomon, Hadad, the Edomite; Rezon, who reigned over Syria; and Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who was plainly told by the prophet Ahijah that after the death of Solomon he should reign over ten of the tribes of Israel. 

"Solomon sought therefore to kill Jeroboam. And Jeroboam arose, and fled into Egypt, unto Shishak king of Egypt, and was in Egypt until the death of Solomon. .... And the time that Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel, was forty years. And Solomon slept with his fathers, and was buried in the city of David his father; and Rehoboam his son reigned in his stead.

"And Rehoboam went to Shechem; for all Israel were come to Shechem to make him king." On the death of Solomon the people had called Jeroboam from Egypt. "And Jeroboam and all the congregation of Israel came and spake unto Rehoboam, saying, Thy father made our yoke grievous; now, therefore, make thou the grievous service of thy father, and his heavy yoke which he put upon us, lighter, and we will serve thee. And he said unto them, Depart yet for three days, then come again to me. And the people departed."

"And King Rehoboam consulted with the old men that stood before Solomon his father while he yet lived, and said, How do ye advise that I may answer this people? And they spake unto him, saying, If thou wilt be a servant unto this people this day, and wilt serve them, and answer them, and speak good words to them, then they will be thy servants forever."

"But he forsook the counsel of the old men, which they had given him, and consulted with the young men that were grown up with him." 

And the young men spake unto him, saying, 'Thus shalt thou say unto them, My little finger shall be thicker than my father's loins. And now, whereas my father did lade you with a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke: my father hath chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions." "So Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam the third day, as the king had appointed." "And the king answered the people roughly, and forsook the old men's counsel that they gave him; and spake to them after the counsel of the young men, 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."

"So 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." 





G. H. BELL.