Rehoboam

• Found: 1 Kings 12-14, 2 Chronicles 10-12

Losing a Kingdom (1Kings 12 v 1-24)

Rehoboam was Solomon's son. He took over the kingdom when Solomon died. Solomon's taxes had been hard on the people, and they came to him, led by Jeroboam, to ask that he give them a lighter burden. Rehoboam consulted with two groups of advisors. The older ones, his father's advisors said he should gain the people's confidence by agreeing with their demand. Be their servant today and they will be your servants forever. He asked his younger advisors as well, and they said he should be even harsher than his father.

Rehoboam listened to the young advisors, and placed a harsh tax burden on the people. They rebelled, and 10 tribes left him for Jeroboam. He fled back to Jerusalem, where the people were still loyal to him. He was going to fight against Jeroboam to try and win his kingdom back, but the prophet Shemaiah, prompted by God, persuaded him to hold back.

Rehoboam was left with two tribes from the original 12, Judah and benjamin.

A Poor Reign (1 Kings 14 v 21-31, 2 Chronicles 11-12)

The people of the southern kingdom, now called Judah, didn't do well under Rehoboam's reign. They started off quite well. Jeroboam was putting an alternative religion in place, so many of the Levites and devout Israelites came and joined Rehoboam. For three years they followed God. But as the nation grew strong, Rehoboam and all the people turned from God, and God sent the Egyptian king Shishak against Judah. Shishak raided the temple and the palace, taking away all the precious things that were there. In all, Rehoboam reigned for 17 years.

->