1 Kings 12:1-24

The Revolt of the Northern Tribes. It is doubtful whether this section is Judæ an or not. It bears some resemblance to 2 Samuel 9-20, and the parts of 1 K. which seem to be a continuation of that history. On the other hand it is not favourable to the house of David, The writer assumes, that Israel has a right to elect a king, and that Solomon could not, like David, have nominated his successor. This passage may be an extract from a northern source, perhaps the chronicles of the kings of Israel. Difficulty is occasioned by the LXX additions, and has to be discussed in connexion with 1 Kings 12, 14. Evidently Jeroboam's rebellion against Solomon was more serious than is implied in 11, and the prestige of his throne had suffered considerably.

Shechem. At the end of Solomon's reign the prestige of the older scenes in Israel's history seems to have revived. Jerusalem is no longer the important centre, and Ahijah, the prophet of the ancient sanctuary of Shiloh, is the religious leader. Shechem (p. 30) was connected with the names of Abraham (Genesis 12:6), Jacob (Genesis 32:18), Joshua (Joshua 24:1), Gideon, whose son Abimelech was the first Israelite to assume the title of king (Judges 9:6). It was the site of Abraham's first altar, and of the joint worship of Baal-berith (Lord of the Covenant) by the Israelites and Canaanites (Judges 8:33). Joseph was buried here (Joshua 24:32), and it was one of the cities of refuge. It continued to be regarded as a holy place for many years, and on the neighbouring Mount Gerizim the Samaritans built their temple. Its political importance declined after the building of Samaria; but in the later days of the monarchy the Deuteronomist recognises it as the scene of the solemn recitation of the blessings and curses of the Law (Deuteronomy 27:12; Joshua 8:33). According to 1 Kings 14:21, Rehoboam ascended the throne at the mature age of forty. The Vatican MS. of the LXX in 1 Kings 14:24 a says he was only sixteen. This is more probable. The old men advise the king to use crafty moderation (1 Kings 12:6). A few concessions and gracious words would win a people, and make a monarch able to do what he chose. The young men believed that a haughty and threatening demeanour would best become the heir of the great Solomon. They did not understand the intensity of the hatred felt by the Israelite people for forced labour. The war cry of Israel, What portion have we, etc., was uttered when Sheba the son of Bichri raised a revolt against David (2 Samuel 20:1). The revolt of the ten tribes was remembered two centuries later as the worst misfortune which had ever fallen upon the house of David (Isaiah 7:17). In the additional account of Jeroboam in the LXX (1 Kings 12:24) it is Shemaiah (1 Kings 12:22) the Enlamite, and not Ahijah who gives the pieces of the garment to Jeroboam.