Rehoboam

Lore & Background

After Solomon's death, Rehoboam went to Shechem where all Israel had gathered to make him king (1 Kings 12:1; 2 Chronicles 10:1). The people, led by Jeroboam, asked Rehoboam to lighten the heavy yoke his father had placed on them (1 Kings 12:3-4; 2 Chronicles 10:3-4). Rehoboam first consulted the old men who had served Solomon, who advised him to serve the people and speak good words to them (1 Kings 12:6-7; 2 Chronicles 10:6-7). However, he rejected their counsel and answered the people roughly, saying he would make their yoke even heavier (2 Chronicles 10:13-14). This led to the rebellion of the ten northern tribes, who made Jeroboam their king, leaving Rehoboam ruling only over the cities of Judah (1 Kings 12:17; 2 Chronicles 10:17). When Rehoboam sent Adoram (or Hadoram), who was over the tribute, to the Israelites, they stoned him to death, forcing Rehoboam to flee to Jerusalem in his chariot (1 Kings 12:18; 2 Chronicles 10:18). In the fifth year of Rehoboam's reign, Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem (1 Kings 14:25). Rehoboam replaced the golden shields that Shishak took with bronze shields, entrusting them to the guard at the king's house (1 Kings 14:27). There was continual war between Rehoboam and Jeroboam all their days (1 Kings 14:30; 1 Kings 15:6). Rehoboam slept with his fathers and was buried in the city of David (1 Kings 14:31).

Reader's Guide

The passages portray Rehoboam as a king who inherited a united kingdom but lost most of it through poor judgment. His decision to reject the counsel of the older, experienced advisors and instead follow the advice of his peers (implied by his rough answer) directly caused the division of the kingdom (1 Kings 12:6-14; 2 Chronicles 10:6-14). The narrative emphasizes his initial attempt to assert authority by force, gathering a massive army to reclaim the northern tribes, but then shows his submission to divine command through the prophet (1 Kings 12:21-24; 2 Chronicles 11:1-4). His reign is marked by conflict with Jeroboam (1 Kings 14:30; 1 Kings 15:6) and external threat from Egypt (1 Kings 14:25). The passages also note his mother's foreign origin (Naamah an Ammonitess) and his son Abijam succeeding him (1 Kings 14:21, 31). The account in Chronicles adds that he forsook the counsel of the old men and answered roughly (2 Chronicles 10:13), highlighting his role in the schism.

Did You Know?

• Rehoboam was 41 years old when he became king and reigned 17 years in Jerusalem (1 Kings 14:21).
• His mother was Naamah, an Ammonitess (1 Kings 14:21; 1 Kings 14:31).
• In the fifth year of his reign, Shishak king of Egypt attacked Jerusalem (1 Kings 14:25).
• There was war between Rehoboam and Jeroboam all their days (1 Kings 14:30; 1 Kings 15:6).

Notable Quotes (Wikiquote)

"Rehoboam was, according to the Hebrew Bible, the first monarch of the Kingdom of Judah after the split of the united Kingdom of Israel. He was a son of and the successor to Solomon and a grandson of David." — Rehoboam "Ahijah the Shilonite, 1 Kings 11,31;35-36 (NKJV)." — Rehoboam "And he did evil, because he did not prepare his heart to seek the Lord." — Rehoboam