Rehoboam’s story is told in 1 Kings 11:43-14:31; 2 Chronicles 9:31-13:7
Rehoboam: A King Divided by Pride
Rehoboam had big shoes to fill. He was the son of King Solomon and the grandson of King David—two of the most well-known kings in the Bible. When Solomon died, Rehoboam became the next king of Israel. He had a great start, with a rich and united kingdom. But things quickly took a turn for the worse.
His story is a powerful reminder that pride and poor choices can lead to big consequences.
A New King with a Big Decision
Right after Rehoboam became king, the people of Israel came to him with a request. During Solomon’s time, the people had been forced to work hard and pay heavy taxes. They asked Rehoboam, “Please make things easier for us.”
This was Rehoboam’s chance to show what kind of king he would be. He decided to ask for advice—but the way he handled that advice changed everything.
Two Sets of Advice, One Big Mistake
First, Rehoboam went to the older men who had helped his father, Solomon. These wise men told him, “Be kind to the people. If you serve them now, they will serve you forever.”
Then Rehoboam turned to his younger friends—men he had grown up with. They told him the opposite: “Show them who’s boss. Make things even harder so they’ll fear your power.”
Sadly, Rehoboam chose to follow the advice of his young friends. He told the people he would be tougher than his father. He thought showing strength would earn their respect—but it only made them angry.
A Divided Kingdom
The people didn’t take it well. In fact, ten of the twelve tribes of Israel rebelled and chose a new leader named Jeroboam. These tribes became the northern kingdom, still called Israel.
Rehoboam was left to rule only over the two southern tribes, Judah and Benjamin. This smaller kingdom became known as Judah.
Because of one prideful decision, the united kingdom of Israel was split in two—and it never came back together again.
Ups and Downs in Rehoboam’s Rule
Rehoboam stayed king in the south, but his time as ruler wasn’t easy. Sometimes he and the people tried to follow God, but many times they turned away from Him.
Because they were unfaithful, God allowed Egypt to invade Judah. They took treasures from the temple and the king’s palace. It was a sad result of turning away from God’s ways.
Rehoboam ruled for 17 years, but his reign was marked by conflict, division, and missed chances.
What We Can Learn from Rehoboam
Rehoboam’s story teaches us some important life lessons:
1. Pride can lead to big problems.
Rehoboam didn’t listen to wise advice because he wanted to look strong. His pride cost him most of his kingdom.
2. Good advice matters.
It’s important to seek out wise and trusted people, and then be humble enough to listen to them.
3. Staying close to God is key.
When Rehoboam and his people turned away from God, they faced trouble. But when they turned back to Him, things went better. That’s still true for us today.
Final Thoughts
Rehoboam started with a kingdom full of promise, but his pride and poor choices caused it to fall apart. His life is a warning about what can happen when we ignore wisdom and follow our own way.
But there’s also hope in his story. God still gave Judah time to turn back to Him—and He does the same for us.
Who are you listening to? Are you willing to choose the wise and humble path?