Topical Encyclopedia
Introduction: Rehoboam, the son of Solomon and grandson of David, was the fourth king of Israel and the first king of the southern kingdom of Judah following the division of the united monarchy. His reign is marked by the significant event of the kingdom's division, which had lasting implications for the history of Israel and Judah.
Family Background: Rehoboam was born to Solomon, the wise and wealthy king of Israel, and Naamah, an Ammonite woman (
1 Kings 14:21). His lineage placed him in the Davidic line, which held the promise of an everlasting kingdom (
2 Samuel 7:12-16). Despite this noble heritage, Rehoboam's reign was fraught with challenges and missteps.
Accession to the Throne: Rehoboam ascended to the throne after the death of his father, Solomon. His reign began around 931 BC. The transition of power was a critical moment, as the people of Israel sought relief from the heavy burdens imposed by Solomon's administration. Rehoboam traveled to Shechem, where all Israel had gathered to make him king (
1 Kings 12:1).
The Division of the Kingdom: The pivotal moment of Rehoboam's reign came when the people, led by Jeroboam, requested that he lighten the harsh labor and heavy yoke imposed by Solomon. Rehoboam sought counsel from two groups: the elders who had served his father and the young men he had grown up with. The elders advised him to serve the people and speak kindly to them, but the young men suggested he increase their burdens (
1 Kings 12:6-11).
Rehoboam chose to follow the advice of the young men, responding harshly to the people's request: "My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add to your yoke. My father disciplined you with whips, but I will discipline you with scorpions" (
1 Kings 12:14). This decision led to the rebellion of the northern tribes, who declared, "What portion do we have in David? We have no inheritance in the son of Jesse. To your tents, O Israel!" (
1 Kings 12:16). Consequently, the kingdom was divided, with Jeroboam ruling over the northern tribes of Israel and Rehoboam retaining control over Judah and Benjamin.
Reign Over Judah: Rehoboam's reign over Judah lasted 17 years, during which he fortified cities and strengthened his kingdom (
2 Chronicles 11:5-12). However, his reign was marred by idolatry and unfaithfulness to God. The people of Judah did evil in the sight of the Lord, building high places, sacred stones, and Asherah poles (
1 Kings 14:22-24).
In the fifth year of Rehoboam's reign, Shishak, king of Egypt, attacked Jerusalem and carried off the treasures of the house of the Lord and the king's house, including the gold shields Solomon had made (
1 Kings 14:25-26). This invasion was a consequence of Judah's unfaithfulness, as the prophet Shemaiah had warned (
2 Chronicles 12:5-9).
Legacy and Death: Rehoboam's reign is often viewed as a cautionary tale of leadership failure and the consequences of forsaking wise counsel. His inability to heed the advice of the elders and his harsh treatment of the people led to the division of the kingdom, a fracture that would persist throughout the history of Israel and Judah.
Rehoboam died and was buried in the City of David, and his son Abijah succeeded him as king (
1 Kings 14:31). His reign serves as a reminder of the importance of humility, wise counsel, and faithfulness to God's covenant.
Concordance
Rehobo'am (42 Occurrences)Matthew 1:7
and Solomon begat Rehoboam, and Rehoboam begat Abijah, and Abijah begat Asa,
(See RSV)
1 Kings 11:43
And Solomon slept with his fathers, and was buried in the city of David his father; and Rehoboam his son reigned in his stead.
(See RSV)
1 Kings 12:1
And Rehoboam went to Shechem; for all Israel were come to Shechem to make him king.
(See RSV)
1 Kings 12:3
and they sent and called him--that Jeroboam and all the congregation of Israel came, and spoke unto Rehoboam, saying:
(See RSV)
1 Kings 12:6
And king Rehoboam took counsel with the old men, that had stood before Solomon his father while he yet lived, saying: 'What counsel give ye me to return answer to this people?'
(See RSV)
1 Kings 12:12
So Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam the third day, as the king bade, saying: 'Come to me again the third day.'
(See RSV)
1 Kings 12:17
But as for the children of Israel that dwelt in the cities of Judah, Rehoboam reigned over them.
(See RSV)
1 Kings 12:18
Then king Rehoboam sent Adoram, who was over the levy; and all Israel stoned him with stones, so that he died. And king Rehoboam made speed to get him up to his chariot, to flee to Jerusalem.
(See RSV)
1 Kings 12:21
And when Rehoboam was come to Jerusalem, be assembled all the house of Judah, and the tribe of Benjamin, a hundred and fourscore thousand chosen men that were warriors, to fight against the house of Israel, to bring the kingdom back to Rehoboam the son of Solomon.
(See RSV)
1 Kings 12:23
Speak unto Rehoboam the son of Solomon, king of Judah, and unto all the house of Judah and Benjamin, and to the rest of the people, saying:
(See RSV)
1 Kings 12:27
If this people go up to offer sacrifices in the house of the LORD at Jerusalem, then will the heart of this people turn back unto their lord, even unto Rehoboam king of Judah; and they will kill me, and return to Rehoboam king of Judah.'
(See RSV)
1 Kings 14:21
And Rehoboam the son of Solomon reigned in Judah. Rehoboam was forty and one years old when he began to reign, and he reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city which the LORD had chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, to put His name there; and his mother's name was Naamah the Ammonitess.
(See RSV)
1 Kings 14:25
And it came to pass in the fifth year of king Rehoboam, that Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem;
(See RSV)
1 Kings 14:27
And king Rehoboam made in their stead shields of brass, and committed them to the hands of the captains of the guard, who kept the door of the king's house.
(See RSV)
1 Kings 14:29
Now the rest of the acts of Rehoboam, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?
(See RSV)
1 Kings 14:30
And there was war between Rehoboam and Jeroboam continually.
(See RSV)
1 Kings 14:31
And Rehoboam slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David; and his mother's name was Naamah the Ammonitess. And Abijam his son reigned in his stead.
(See RSV)
1 Kings 15:6
Now there was war between Rehoboam and Jeroboam all the days of his life.
(See RSV)
1 Chronicles 3:10
And Solomon's son was Rehoboam; Abijah his son, Asa his son, Jehoshaphat his son;
(See RSV)
2 Chronicles 9:31
And Solomon slept with his fathers; they buried him in the city of David his father; and Rehoboam his son reigned in his stead.
(See RSV)
2 Chronicles 10:1
And Rehoboam went to Shechem; for all Israel were come to Shechem to make him king.
(See RSV)
2 Chronicles 10:3
And they sent and called him; and Jeroboam and all Israel came, and they spoke to Rehoboam, saying:
(See RSV)
2 Chronicles 10:6
And king Rehoboam took counsel with the old men, that had stood before Solomon his father while he yet lived, saying: 'What counsel give ye me to return answer to this people?'
(See RSV)
2 Chronicles 10:12
So Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam the third day, as the king bade, saying: 'Come to me again the third day.'
(See RSV)
2 Chronicles 10:14
and spoke to them after the counsel of the young men, saying, My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add thereto: my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.
(See RSV)
2 Chronicles 10:17
But as for the children of Israel that dwelt in the cities of Judah, Rehoboam reigned over them.
(See RSV)
2 Chronicles 10:18
Then king Rehoboam sent Hadoram, who was over the levy; and the children of Israel stoned him with stones, so that he died. And king Rehoboam made speed to get him up to his chariot, to flee to Jerusalem.
(See RSV)
2 Chronicles 11:1
And when Rehoboam was come to Jerusalem, he assembled the house of Judah and Benjamin, a hundred and fourscore thousand chosen men, that were warriors, to fight against Israel, to bring the kingdom back to Rehoboam.
(See RSV)
2 Chronicles 11:3
Speak unto Rehoboam the son of Solomon, king of Judah, and to all Israel in Judah and Benjamin, saying:
(See RSV)
2 Chronicles 11:5
And Rehoboam dwelt in Jerusalem, and built cities for defence in Judah.
(See RSV)
2 Chronicles 11:17
So they strengthened the kingdom of Judah, and made Rehoboam the son of Solomon strong, three years; for they walked three years in the way of David and Solomon.
(See RSV)
2 Chronicles 11:18
And Rehoboam took him a wife, Mahalath the daughter of Jerimoth the son of David, and of Abihail the daughter of Eliab the son of Jesse;
(See RSV)
2 Chronicles 11:21
And Rehoboam loved Maacah the daughter of Absalom above all his wives and his concubines--for he took eighteen wives, and threescore concubines, and begot twenty and eight sons and threescore daughters.
(See RSV)
2 Chronicles 11:22
And Rehoboam appointed Abijah the son of Maacah to be chief, even the prince among his brethren; for he was minded to make him king.
(See RSV)
2 Chronicles 12:1
And it came to pass, when the kingdom of Rehoboam was established, and he was strong, that he forsook the law of the LORD, and all Israel with him.
(See RSV)
2 Chronicles 12:2
And it came to pass in the fifth year of king Rehoboam, that Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem, because they had dealt treacherously with the LORD,
(See RSV)
2 Chronicles 12:5
Now Shemaiah the prophet came to Rehoboam, and to the princes of Judah, that were gathered together to Jerusalem because of Shishak, and said unto them: 'Thus saith the LORD: Ye have forsaken Me, therefore have I also left you in the hand of Shishak.'
(See RSV)
2 Chronicles 12:10
And king Rehoboam made in their stead shields of brass, and committed them to the hands of the captains of the guard, that kept the door of the king's house.
(See RSV)
2 Chronicles 12:13
So king Rehoboam strengthened himself in Jerusalem, and reigned; for Rehoboam was forty and one years old when he began to reign, and he reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city which the LORD had chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, to put His name there; and his mother's name was Naamah the Ammonitess.
(See RSV)
2 Chronicles 12:15
Now the acts of Rehoboam, first and last, are they not written in the histories of Shemaiah the prophet and of Iddo the seer, after the manner of genealogies? And there were wars between Rehoboam and Jeroboam continually.
(See RSV)
2 Chronicles 12:16
And Rehoboam slept with his fathers, and was buried in the city of David; and Abijah his son reigned in his stead.
(See RSV)
2 Chronicles 13:7
And there were gathered unto him vain men, base fellows that strengthened themselves against Rehoboam the son of Solomon, when Rehoboam was young and faint-hearted, and could not withstand them.
(See RSV)
Thesaurus
Rehobo'am (42 Occurrences)Rehobo'
am. Rehoboam,
Rehobo'
am. Rehoboam's . Multi-Version Concordance
Rehobo'
am (42 Occurrences). Matthew 1:7 and Solomon begat
.../r/rehobo'am.htm - 18kRehoboam's (4 Occurrences)
/r/rehoboam's.htm - 7k
Rehoboam (42 Occurrences)
/r/rehoboam.htm - 34k
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