Theory question 102
Solomon and the Divided KingdomGive an account of the division of the kingdom of Israel. What unwise politics of Solomon led to it?
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After Solomon died, Rehoboam went to Shechem to be made king (1 Kings 12:1).
Jeroboam, back from Egypt, and the assembly asked him to lighten the heavy yoke Solomon put on them (1 Kings 12:2-4).
He asked for three days (1 Kings 12:5).
The old men advised him to serve the people and speak kindly (1 Kings 12:6-7).
He rejected this and followed the young men: "My father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions" (1 Kings 12:8-14).
Israel said, "What portion have we in David?… To your tents, O Israel!" (1 Kings 12:16).
They stoned Adoram, the taskmaster; Rehoboam fled to Jerusalem (1 Kings 12:18).
Israel made Jeroboam king; only Judah (and Benjamin) followed Rehoboam (1 Kings 12:19-21).
God forbade Rehoboam to fight Israel (1 Kings 12:22-24); this fulfilled Ahijah's prophecy (1 Kings 11:29-39).
Solomon's unwise policies: heavy taxes and forced labour (1 Kings 4:7; 5:13-14; 12:4); marriage to many foreign wives and worship of their gods (1 Kings 11:1-8); favouring Judah over the northern tribes; lavish spending on buildings; giving away cities to Hiram (1 Kings 9:11).
Narrate 1 Kings 12, then Solomon's policies that caused it.