The Division of the Kingdom
2 Chronicles 10:1-19

The Revolt Against Rehoboam

2 Chronicles 10:1-19

• After Solomon's death, Rehoboam (Solomon's son) went to Shechem to be made king. (v. 1)
• Perhaps Rehoboam went to Shechem to appease the northern tribes. (Note where Shechem is on the map.)
• When Jeroboam (who was in Egypt) heard about it, he returned. (v. 2)
• Jeroboam and all of Israel (representatives from all the northern tribes) came to Rehoboam and petitioned Rehoboam, saying that Solomon made things hard for them. Jeroboam told them to come back in three days for his answer. (v. 3-5)
• The "heavy yoke" refers to the harsh taxes and forced labor that Solomon instituted for the construction projects. The Chronicler passes over these facts, but look at 1 Kings 4:22ff and 5:13ff for details. The people's complaint is probably justified. Rehoboam responded in the folly of youth.
• King Rehoboam sought advice from the old men ­ Solomon's advisors. They told him that if he were good to Jeroboam's people, they will be his servants forever. (v. 6-7)
• King Rehoboam ignored that advice and sought the advice of the young men ­ people he grew up with. They told him to treat Jeroboam's people harshly, saying that he will make their yoke heavier. (v. 8-11)
• After three days, Jeroboam and his people returned. (v. 12)
• King Rehoboam answered them harshly, ignoring the council of Solomon's advisors and following the advice of the young men. (v. 13-14)
• This turn of events fulfilled a prophecy. (see 1 Kings 11:29ff, McGee says 1 Kings 11:9-39) (v. 15)
• When Israel saw that King Rehoboam wasn't going to listen to them, they went to their tents. (v. 16)
• King Rehoboam reigned over the people of Israel who lived in Judah. (v. 17)
• King Rehoboam sent a taskmaster/tax collector to Israel, who was promptly stoned to death. The king quickly retreated to Jersualem. This is how the division between Judah and Israel began. (v. 18-19)
• The secession of the north (10 out of 12 tribes) is obviously one of the most significant evens in the history of Israel. It begins a period of about 200 years where relations between the north and the south were strained.