My Take on the Reign of Rehoboam and Jeroboam
As I delve more deeply into the history of our faith, I am truly compelled by the stories of Rehoboam and Jeroboam, two kings who reigned over the divided kingdom of Israel. This period of Biblical history holds so many lessons. Let me share these with you.
Rehoboam and Jeroboam: Kings of a Kingdom Divided
Rehoboam, one of Solomon’s sons, succeeded his father as the king of southern Judah, while Jeroboam, a former official of Solomon and an Ephraimite by birth, ruled over the northern Israel.
Matters took an intriguing turn when Solomon was still alive. Ahijah, a prophet, told Jeroboam that God would take ten out of the twelve tribes from Rehoboam and give them to Jeroboam. This was a divine judgment since Solomon’s family had drifted away from God, opting for idol worship instead. To this pronouncement, God added a conditional promise to Jeroboam stating, “If you do whatever I command you and walk in obedience to me and do what is right in my eyes by obeying my decrees and commands… I will be with you and will build you an enduring dynasty.” (1 Kings 11:38).
Unfortunately, upon hearing this prophecy, Solomon sought to kill Jeroboam who then fled to Egypt for safety.
The Aftermath of Solomon’s Death
Upon Solomon’s death, Rehoboam ascended the throne and Jeroboam, having returned from Egypt, warned him against imposing heavy taxes as his father did in order to maintain a wealthy lifestyle. Regrettably, Rehoboam didn’t heed this advice, declaring, “My father laid on you a heavy yoke; I will make it even heavier.” (1 Kings 12:14).
Reign of Rehoboam and Jeroboam: A Timeline of Rebellion and Idolatry
This harsh oppression led to people rebelling against Rehoboam, and Jeroboam was declared king of Israel. However, Rehoboam’s rule still was acknowledged by the tribes of Judah and Benjamin.
Once he was established in the North, Jeroboam feared that the people would return to Rehoboam if they were led to the temple in Jerusalem. Instead, he set up worship centers in Bethel and Dan, even going to the extent of encouraging idol worship. This strategy clearly backfired as Ahijah prophesied the end of Jeroboam’s lineage.
Unfortunately, during this time, Rehoboam was leading astray in the South, doing evil since “he had not set his heart on seeking the Lord”. (2 Chronicles 12:14). While there were instances of remarkable kings turning people back to God after Rehoboam, such correction never occurred in the northern kingdom.
Legacy of a Divided Kingdom
The reign of Rehoboam and Jeroboam saw the division of a united Israel which continued battling for centuries afterwards. History is a stern teacher and through the stories of these kings, we learn the peril of drifting from the Lord and surrendering to earthly pleasures. Let their stories be a reminder to us to seek the Lord with a sincere heart.
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