1 Kings 12

1 Kings 12:1-5

Rehoboam’s dilemma 12:1-5 It is not clear why the northern tribes had invited Rehoboam to the northern town of Shechem. They may have done so for a coronation over Israel separate from his coronation over Judah. [Note: Jacob Myers, II Chronicles, p. 65; Bright, p. 210. On the other hand, the northern tribes may have invited him to go there for his coronation over the entire nation. Jerusalem was the natural coronation site. Perhaps Rehoboam chose to hold the ceremony at Shechem to accommodate, and perhaps placate, the northern tribes. In any case, Shechem was an understandable site because of its historical significance and earlier covenant renewal ceremonies (cf. Genesis 12:6-7; Genesis 33:18-20; Joshua 8; Joshua 24).

The heavy yoke Solomon had imposed on the Israelites consisted of taxation, forced labor, and other burdens. If Solomon had exempted Judah from these, [Note: See my note on 4:7-19. the spokesmen were probably speaking for the northern tribes rather than for all the Israelites and were demanding similar favors. [Note: Moshe Weinfeld, “The Counsel of the ‘Elders’ to Rehoboam and Its Implications,” MAARAV 3:1 (January 1982):27-53.

1 Kings 12:6-15

Rehoboam’s decision 12:6-15 Rehoboam’s choice was whether he would regard himself as the people’s servant under Yahweh’s authority, as David and Solomon had done, or as the supreme authority in Israel, as Saul had done. His pride led to his downfall. The “scorpion” (1 Kings 12:11) was a particularly cruel kind of whip that contained sharp pieces of metal (1Ma 6:51). “Rehoboam chooses slogans over wisdom, machismo over servanthood.” [Note: R. D. Nelson, First and Second Kings, p. 79. Rehoboam’s decision resulted in what God had predicted to Solomon (1 Kings 11:11-13), Ahijah, and Jeroboam (1 Kings 11:31-39).

1 Kings 12:16-20

Israel’s secession 12:16-20 The dissatisfaction with the rule of David’s house that had been brewing for years (cf. 2 Samuel 20:1) finally boiled over. Perhaps Rehoboam sent Adoram to pacify the angry mob (1 Kings 12:18). Whatever his reason, this proved to be “the straw that broke the camel’s back.”

Rehoboam lacked wisdom because he did not give God the place He deserved in his life. Because he revolted against God, the people revolted against him. In rebelling against Rehoboam, however, the Israelites were rebelling against God’s anointed king. That action could only bring divine discipline on them, and it did. This rebellion continued throughout the history of the divided kingdom and accounts for much of the misery that the nation experienced. [Note: On 1 Kings 12:19, see my comment at 8:8. Rehoboam’s coronation turned into a bloody lynching and inspired the coronation of his rival (1 Kings 12:20).

1 Kings 12:21-24

Rehoboam’s reprisal 12:21-24 Rehoboam’s pride led him into further trouble. He wanted to start a civil war to recapture the throne. Benjamin joined with Judah at this time and remained allied from then on (cf. 2 Samuel 19:16-17). God had to intervene through a prophet to get Rehoboam to turn back (1 Kings 12:22-24). The term “man of God” is synonymous with prophet (cf. 1 Kings 13:18; 2 Kings 5:8; 2 Chronicles 12:5). [Note: See Wiseman, pp. 142-43, for a short note on the term as it appears in Scripture.] To his credit Rehoboam obeyed God.

“Shemaiah’s message goes against the perceived national interest, opposes a popular cause, and stifles the impulse to avenge wounded pride. But Shemaiah was a man of God before he was a man of Judah. His loyalty to God transcended that to king and country. His identity came from his relationship to God, not from society. He served God rather than the state. In short, he was a prophet.” [Note: Rice, p. 103. “Rehoboam is harsh, despotic, and autocratic, but the worst part is that he is also stupid and incompetent.” [Note: DeVries, p. 159. There were several reasons for the division of the kingdom. The primary one was Solomon’s apostasy. However, tribal jealousy, sectionalism, and Solomon’s exploitation of the people were contributing causes. [Note: Wayne Brindle, “The Causes of the Division of Israel’s Kingdom,” Bibliotheca Sacra 141:563 (July-September 1984):223-33.

1 Kings 12:25-14

2. Jeroboam’s evil reign in Israel 12:25-14:20 Jeroboam was the first of 20 kings who ruled the Northern Kingdom during its 209-year history. He reigned for 22 years (931-910 B.C.). Not one of the kings of Israel, the Northern Kingdom, turned the people to a serious recommitment to the Mosaic Covenant. Consequently the writer judged all of them evil.