1 Kings 12:1-5

I. THE GREAT SCHISM 12:1-24

The gripping narrative of Rehoboam's folly unfolds in the first twenty-four verses of chapter 12. For study purposes this narrative may be divided into five units: (1) the request of Israel (1 Kings 12:1-5); (2) the recommendation of the counselors (1 Kings 12:6-11); (3) the reply of Rehoboam (1 Kings 12:12-15); (4) the rebellion of Israel (1 Kings 12:16-20); and (5) the response of Rehoboam (1 Kings 12:21-24).

A. THE REQUEST OF ISRAEL 12:1-5

TRANSLATION

(1) Then Rehoboam went to Shechem, for all Israel came to Shechem to make him king. (2) And it came to pass when Jeroboam the son of Nebat heard (now he was yet in Egypt, where he had fled from before King Solomon; while Jeroboam dwelt in Egypt, (3) they sent and called him), that Jeroboam and all the congregation of Israel came and spoke onto Rehoboam, saying, (4) Your father made our yoke hard; you therefore lighten the hard service of your father and the heavy yoke which he put on us, and we will serve you. (5) And he said unto them, Go yet for three days, then return unto me. So the people departed.

COMMENTS

Rehoboam was no child when he ascended the throne. It would appear from 1 Kings 14:21 and 2 Chronicles 12:13 that he was forty-one at the time of his accession. Soon after his Jerusalem coronation Rehoboam was invited to Shechem, the ancient gathering place of the Northern tribes (Joshua 24) and most important city in Ephraim, to receive the acclaim of all Israel, i.e., the Northern tribes.[321] It would not appear that the Northern tribes had any concrete plans to revolt at this time, for verse one plainly states that they gathered in Shechem to make him king. Nonetheless, these tribes were disgruntled because of Solomon's high-handed tactics and rigorous taxation policies, and their insistence that Rehoboam meet with them on their own ground should have been a significant hint that they would brook no negative response to their demands.

[321] Slotki (SBB, p. 92) thinks the tribes of the South as well as those from the North assembled at Shechem.

Jeroboam son of Nebat served as the spokesman for the dissident tribes at Shechem. Since the time of his abortive rebellion against Solomon, Jeroboam had resided in Egypt. When Solomon died the elders of Israel immediately sent to Egypt to inform Jeroboam of these developments and to invite him to return and speak on their behalf to Solomon's would-be successor (1 Kings 12:2). Putting forth Jeroboam as their spokesman was a plain indication that the elders did not mean to be ignored (1 Kings 12:3).

The dissidents complained that Solomon had placed a heavy yoke upon them, and they requested that Rehoboam grant them a measure of relief. If this relief was forthcoming, the elders promised to serve Rehoboam. There is, of course, an implied threat in this conditional allegiance (1 Kings 12:4). There is no reason to think that the grievance of the Northern tribes was fictitious. While it is true that the reign of Solomon had brought plenty and prosperity to Israel (1 Kings 4:20; 1 Kings 4:25), that national glory had only been achieved by means of a galling conscription and perhaps heavy taxation as well. In view of the magnitude of Solomon's undertakings, and the number of men necessarily employed in executing them, the forced labor must have involved no little hardship and dissatisfaction. That the petitioners are not exaggerating is indicated by the fact that both the aged counselors (1 Kings 12:7) and the writer of the book (1 Kings 12:13-15) manifest some degree of sympathy with their request.

Rehoboam wisely postponed his decision regarding the Northern ultimatum for three days. The new king did not suffer from impetuosity. He evidently sensed how much depended upon his reply. If he complied with the request, he was accepting the crown conditionally, and there was danger he would not have the power to rule. On the other hand, if he denied their request, there was danger of revolt. He therefore asked for three days in which to deliberate. The new king wished to use that time to consult with his advisers, some of whom had accompanied him to Shechem, and others of whom were hastily summoned from Jerusalem. Viewing Rehoboam's proposed three day delay as a reasonable interval, the dissidents peacefully departed (1 Kings 12:5). There is no hint as yet that the Northern tribes had already determined to revolt.