Rehoboam and Jeroboam Kings I Kings 12

I Kings 12:1 "And Rehoboam went to Shechem: for all Israel were come to Shechem to make him king."

We have already learned that the kingdom is to be divided because of Solomon's and the peoples sins. Now all Israel is gathered to make the son of Solomon king over all Israel. Something happens that changes all that.

v6 "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?"

Here is the something that happened. Rehoboam listened to the old men but did not follow their advice. He rather followed the advice of the young men he grew up with. Bad decision.

The advice:

-from the old men: be a servant to the people and speak good words to them
-from the young men: increase the yoke of Solomon on the people and increase the discipline

v11 "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."

It is a mistake young people make in our day. They listen to their friends and disregard the good advice of their elders. Therefore, we have a lot of troubled youth.

So in comes the exiled servant of Solomon who had been in charge of the house of Joseph. The people brought in Jeroboam who became king of the ten tribes. The people were so against the son of Solomon that they killed the tax collector he sent to them. Rehoboam had to flee back to Jerusalem and had the tribe of Judah as his kingship. He wanted to go to war against the 10 tribes but God stopped him. v24.

To avoid the people going to Jerusalem to make offerings and that they not decide to follow after the house of David. Jeroboam set up altars in Bethel and Dan.

v30 "And this thing became a sin: for the people went to worship before the one, even unto Dan.

Psalm 36:1 "The transgression of the wicked saith within my heart, that there is no fear of God before his eyes."

Keywords: Old Old Story, Bible Study, Old Testament. Rehoboam king of Judah. Jeroboam king of the ten tribes.