Topical Encyclopedia
Rehoboam, the son of Solomon and Naamah the Ammonite, 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 chronicled in the books of 1 Kings and 2 Chronicles. Rehoboam's account is a pivotal moment in the history of Israel, marking the division of the kingdom into two separate entities: the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah.
Early Reign and Division of the KingdomRehoboam ascended to the throne after the death of his father, Solomon. His reign began with a significant challenge when Jeroboam, son of Nebat, returned from Egypt and led a delegation of Israelites to Rehoboam at Shechem. They requested that he lighten the 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. Rehoboam chose the latter advice, responding harshly to the people.
1 Kings 12:14 records Rehoboam's response: "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." 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 Rehoboam reigning over Judah and Benjamin, while Jeroboam became king over the northern tribes.
Reign Over JudahRehoboam's reign over Judah lasted seventeen years, during which he fortified cities and strengthened the kingdom's defenses (
2 Chronicles 11:5-12). Despite these efforts, his reign was marked by spiritual decline. The people of Judah engaged in idolatry and adopted the detestable practices of the nations the LORD had driven out before the Israelites (
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 royal palace, including the gold shields Solomon had made (
1 Kings 14:25-26). This invasion was a divine judgment for Judah's unfaithfulness, as prophesied by Shemaiah the prophet (
2 Chronicles 12:5-8).
Legacy and DeathRehoboam'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 fracturing of the kingdom. Despite his shortcomings, Rehoboam is noted for humbling himself before the LORD, which led to some measure of deliverance from Shishak's invasion (
2 Chronicles 12:12).
Rehoboam was succeeded by his son Abijah (also known as Abijam), and he was buried in the City of David (
1 Kings 14:31). His reign serves as a reminder of the importance of humility, wise counsel, and faithfulness to God's commandments.
Strong's Hebrew
7346. Rechabam -- "a people are enlarged," a king of Judah... Rechabam. 7347 . "a people are enlarged," a king of Judah. Transliteration: Rechabam
Phonetic Spelling: (rekh-ab-awm') Short Definition:
Rehoboam.
...Rehoboam.
...Library
Rehoboam's Great Mistake
... THE OLD TESTAMENTREHOBOAM'S GREAT MISTAKE. When Solomon died,Rehoboam
his son ruled after him. As soon as Jeroboam, who was still...
The Rending of the Kingdom
... "Solomon slept with his fathers, and was buried in the City of David his father:
andRehoboam his son reigned in his stead." 1 Kings 11:43....
Contrasted Services
... Chronicles 12:8.Rehoboam was a self-willed, godless king who, like some
other kings, learned nothing by experience. His kingdom...
How to Split a Kingdom
... AndRehoboam went to Shechem: for all Israel were come to Shechem to make him
king.2. And it came to pass, when Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who was yet in Egypt...
The Children's Bible
... A YOUNG MAN'S WISE CHOICE. BUILDING A GREAT TEMPLE. A RULER WHO WRONGED HIS PEOPLE.
REHOBOAM'S GREAT MISTAKE. ELIJAH AND THE WIDOW'S SON. THE PROPHET OF FIRE....
The Kingdom Op Judah.
... lxxxix.31, 32.Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, brought about, by his own
harshness and folly, the punishment that God had decreed....
Asa's Prayer
... This King Asa,Rehoboam's grandson, had had a long reign of peace, which the writer
of the Book of Chronicles traces to the fact that he had rooted out...
Asa's Reformation, and Consequent Peace and victory
... valour.'"2 Chronicles 14:2-8. Asa wasRehoboam's grandson, and came to
the throne when a young man. The two preceding reigns had...
ConcerningRehoboam, and How God Inflicted Punishment Upon Him for...
... CHAPTER 10. ConcerningRehoboam, And How God Inflicted Punishment Upon Him
For His Impiety By Shishak [King Of Egypt]. 1. NowRehoboam...
Joel
... for doubting, and Jerusalem may then have suffered: in any case, we know that the
treasures of temple and palace were plundered as early asRehoboam's time (1...
Thesaurus
Rehoboam's (4 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Rehoboam's (4 Occurrences). 1 Kings 14:29 Now
the rest of the acts of
Rehoboam, and all that he did, are
...Rehoboam (42 Occurrences)
...Rehoboam was appalled, and tried concessions, but it was too late (18). The tribe
of Judah,Rehoboam's own tribe, alone remained faithful to him....
Rehoboth (4 Occurrences)
Rehobo'am (42 Occurrences)
Rehobo'am.Rehoboam, Rehobo'am.Rehoboam's .... Matthew 1:7 and Solomon begatRehoboam,
andRehoboam begat Abijah, and Abijah begat Asa, (See RSV)....
Uriel (4 Occurrences)
... (3.) The father of Michaiah, one ofRehoboam's wives, and mother of Abijah (2
Chronicles 13:2). Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. URIEL (1)....
Jerimoth (10 Occurrences)
... (4) A Levite musician in David's time (1 Chronicles 25:4). (5) Son of David
and father of Mahalath,Rehoboam's wife (2 Chronicles 11:18)....
Mahalath (6 Occurrences)
... She was one ofRehoboam's wives (2 Chronicles 11:18).... (2) One of the 18 wives
ofRehoboam, a grand-daughter of David (2 Chronicles 11:18)....
Adoniram (4 Occurrences)
... Near the close of the reign of David, and at the opening of the reign ofRehoboam,
the same office was held by Adoram (2 Samuel 20:24 1 Kings 12:18)....
Shemaiah (40 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Whom Jehovah heard. (1.) A prophet in the reign
ofRehoboam (1 Kings 12:22-24). (2.) Nehemiah 3:29. (3...
Sodomite (1 Occurrence)
... of these with His pure worship was abhorrent (Deuteronomy 23:17 f): The presence
of Sodomites is noted as a mark of degeneracy inRehoboam's time (1 Kings 14:24...
Resources
Who was King Rehoboam in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the story of Rehoboam and Jeroboam? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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