1 Kings 12:21-30

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Kings 12:16-24

We have here the rending of the kingdom of the ten tribes from the house of David, to effect which, I. The people were hold and resolute in their revolt. They highly resented the provocation that Rehoboam had given them, were incensed at his menaces, concluded that that government would in the progress of it be intolerably grievous which in the beginning of it was so very haughty, and therefore immediately came to this resolve, one and all: What portion have we in David? 1 Kgs. 12:16. They... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Kings 12:25-33

We have here the beginning of the reign of Jeroboam. He built Shechem first and then Penuel?beautified and fortified them, and probably had a palace in each of them for himself (1 Kgs. 12:25), the former in Ephraim, the latter in Gad, on the other side Jordan. This might be proper; but he formed another project for the establishing of his kingdom which was fatal to the interests of religion in it. I. That which he designed was by some effectual means to secure those to himself who had now... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 12:21

And when Rehoboam was come to Jerusalem , From Shechem, which was forty miles F14 Reland. Palestin. Illustrat. tom. 2. p. 1007. from Jerusalem: he assembled all the house of Judah, with the tribe of Benjamin, an hundred and fourscore thousand chosen men, which were warriors, to fight against the house of Israel, to bring the kingdom again to Rehoboam the son of Solomon ; which not only shows courage reassumed by Rehoboam, now safely home, but the hearty attachment of Judah and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 12:22

But the word of God came unto Shemaiah the man of God ,.... A prophet in those days, see 2 Chronicles 12:15 and the word that came to him, as in the Targum, is called the word of prophecy: saying ; as follows. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 12:23

Speak unto Rehoboam the son of Solomon king of Judah ,.... He is called king before, but of what tribe or tribes is not expressly said, only it is implied in 1 Kings 12:17 and he is only acknowledged king of Judah by the Lord himself: and unto all the house of Judah and Benjamin ; which made but one house, as before but one tribe, 1 Kings 11:36 . and to the remnant of the people ; of the other tribes that might dwell among them at Jerusalem, and especially Simeon, whose... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 12:24

Thus saith the Lord ,.... A common preface the prophets used when they spoke in the name of the Lord: ye shall not go up, nor fight against your brethren the children of Israel ; and that because they were their brethren; though that is not the only reason, another follows: return every man to his house, for this thing is from me ; it was according to the will of God, as Josephus rightly says F15 Ut supra. (Antiqu. l. 8. c. 8. sect. 3.) ; it was by his ordination and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 12:25

Then Jeroboam built Shechem in Mount Ephraim, and dwelt therein ,.... Not that this city had lain in ruins from the times of Abimelech, Judges 9:45 for then it would not have been a proper place for the convention of the people, 1 Kings 12:1 but he repaired the walls of it, and fortified it, and built a palace in it for his residence: and went out from thence, and built Penuel ; a place on the other side Jordan, the tower of which was beaten down by Gideon, Judges 8:17 and might be... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 12:26

And Jeroboam said in his heart , As he was musing about the state of his kingdom and the affairs of it: now shall the kingdom return to the house of David ; such were his fears, unless some method could be taken to prevent it, particularly with respect to religion, which was what his thoughts were employed about. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 12:27

If this people go up to do sacrifice in the house of the Lord at Jerusalem ,.... In the temple there, three times in the year, which all the males were obliged to, besides other times, when they had occasion to offer sacrifice, which they might do nowhere else: then shall the heart of this people turn again unto their Lord, even unto Rehoboam king of Judah ; being drawn by the magnificence of the temple, the beauty and order of worship in it, the holiness of the place, and the grandeur... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 12:28

Whereupon the king took counsel ,.... Of some of his principal men, that had as little religion as himself, and were only concerned for the civil state; and the result of their consultation was as follows: and made two calves of gold ; in imitation of that which was made by Aaron, and encouraged by his example and success; and having been in Egypt some time, he might have learned the calf or ox worship there, and might take his pattern from thence, and have two as they had; the one they... read more

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