Royalty and Ruin

The Mistake That Could Never Be Undone

Dissatisfied, Rehoboam turned to younger men who had been his companions during his youth: “What advice do you give? How should we answer this people who have spoken to me, saying, ‘Lighten the yoke which your father put on us?’” 1 Kings 12:9. The young men suggested that he deal sternly with his subjects and make plain to them that he would tolerate no interference with his personal wishes. RR 33.2

So it happened that on the day appointed for Rehoboam to make a statement concerning his policy, he “answered the people roughly, ... saying, ‘My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add to your yoke; my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scourges!’” Verses 13, 14. Rehoboam’s expressed determination to increase the oppression of Solomon’s reign conflicted directly with God’s plan for Israel. In this unfeeling attempt to exercise power, the king and his counselors revealed their pride of position and authority. RR 33.3

Many people had become thoroughly alarmed over Solomon’s oppressive measures, and these now felt that they had no other choice than to rebel against the house of David. “When all Israel saw that the king did not listen to them, the people answered the king, saying, ‘What share have we in David? ... To your tents, O Israel! Now, see to your own house, O David!’ So Israel departed to their tents.” Verse 16. RR 33.4

The breach that Rehoboam’s rash speech created proved beyond repair. The twelve tribes of Israel were divided. Judah and Benjamin composed the southern kingdom of Judah, under Rehoboam. The ten northern tribes formed a separate government, the kingdom of Israel, with Jeroboam as ruler. This fulfilled the prediction of the prophet that the kingdom would be torn apart. “The turn of events was from the Lord, that He might fulfill His word.” Verse 15. RR 33.5

When Rehoboam saw the ten tribes withdrawing their loyalty from him, he realized that he must act. Through Adoram, one of the influential men of his kingdom, he made an effort to appeal to them and win them back. But “all Israel stoned him [Adoram] with stones, and he died.” Startled, “King Rehoboam mounted his chariot in haste to flee to Jerusalem.” Verse 18. RR 33.6

At Jerusalem “he assembled all the house of Judah with the tribe of Benjamin, one hundred and eighty thousand chosen men who were warriors, to fight against the house of Israel, that he might restore the kingdom to Rehoboam. ... But the word of God came unto Shemaiah, ... ‘Thus says the Lord, “You shall not go up nor fight against your brethren the children of Israel. Let every man return to his house, for this thing is from Me.”’ Therefore they obeyed the word of the Lord.” Verses 21-24. RR 33.7

For three years Rehoboam tried to profit by his sad experience, and in this effort he prospered. He built fortified cities “and made them very strong.” 2 Chronicles 11:12. But the secret of Judah’s prosperity during the first years of Rehoboam’s reign lay in recognizing God as the supreme Ruler. This is what gave the tribes of Judah and Benjamin an advantage. The record reads, “Those from all the tribes of Israel, such as set their heart to seek the Lord God of Israel, came to Jerusalem to sacrifice to the Lord God of their fathers. So they strengthened the kingdom of Judah, and made Rehoboam the son of Solomon strong for three years, because they walked in the way of David and Solomon for three years.” 2 Chronicles 11:16, 17. RR 34.1