Rehoboam’s story is told in 1 Kings 11:43-14:31; 2 Chronicles 9:31-13:7
- Who is Rehoboam?
- Son of Solomon and Naamah: Rehoboam was born to Solomon, Israel’s famed wise king, and Naamah, an Ammonite princess.
- King of Israel and Judah: Initially, he became king over all Israel, but after a political split, he remained king of the Southern Kingdom of Judah.
- Chronological Placement: Rehoboam’s story is primarily found in 1 Kings 12-14 and 2 Chronicles 10-12.
- The Man Who Divided a Nation: Under Rehoboam’s reign, the United Kingdom of Israel split into two: Israel (Northern Kingdom) and Judah (Southern Kingdom).
- Strengths and Accomplishments
- Fortification of Cities: One of the good things he did was to strengthen the defenses of several cities in Judah (2 Chronicles 11:5-12).
- Religious Reforms (Initially): For a time, Rehoboam adhered to the worship of Yahweh and led Judah in that direction (2 Chronicles 11:16-17).
- Leadership Skills: He did manage to rule Judah for 17 years, which suggests some measure of leadership capability.
- Weaknesses and Mistakes
- Arrogance and Ignorance: When asked by the people to lighten the burdens his father had placed upon them, Rehoboam ignored the advice of the elders and instead heeded the counsel of his young friends, leading to rebellion (1 Kings 12:6-15).
- Idolatry: Later in his reign, Rehoboam led Judah into idol worship (1 Kings 14:22-24).
- Failure to Maintain Unity: His lack of wisdom in dealing with his constituents led to the division of the kingdom, a huge blemish on his record.
- Ineffective in War: Rehoboam was unable to win back the Northern Kingdom of Israel and also faced humiliation from Shishak, the king of Egypt (2 Chronicles 12:2-12).
- Lessons from His Life
- The Importance of Wise Counsel: Rehoboam teaches us the significance of listening to wise and experienced advisors.
- Humility Over Arrogance: His story is a cautionary tale against the dangers of arrogance and youthful folly.
- Consequences Last Generations: His actions had repercussions that affected the entire Israelite history thereafter.
- Key Verses (NIV Version)
- 1 Kings 12:8: “But Rehoboam rejected the advice the elders gave him and consulted the young men who had grown up with him and were serving him.”
- 2 Chronicles 12:14: “He did evil because he had not set his heart on seeking the Lord.”
- 1 Kings 12:16: “When all Israel saw that the king refused to listen to them, they answered the king: ‘What share do we have in David, what part in Jesse’s son? To your tents, Israel! Look after your own house, David!'”