1 Kings 12:16-19

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 12:16

So when all Israel saw that the king hearkened not unto them ,.... To grant their requests: the people answered the king, saying, what portion have we in David ? or in his posterity, which are not of our tribes, nor are we obliged to have a king of that family; nor can we expect any benefit or advantage from thence, as may be easily concluded from the rough answer of Rehoboam: neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse ; so they called David by way of contempt; which was great... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 12:17

But as for the children of Israel which dwelt in the cities of Judah ,.... Either such Israelites of the ten tribes that had before dwelt, or now upon this removed, for the sake of worship, to dwell in the tribe of Judah; or else that part of Israel, the tribe of Judah, which dwelt in the cities belonging to it: Rehoboam reigned over them ; they owned him to be their king, and submitted to his government. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 12:18

Then King Rehoboam sent Adoram, who was over the tribute ,.... There was one of this name in this office in the time of David, 2 Samuel 20:24 , this is the same with Adoniram, as Jarchi thinks, see 1 Kings 4:6 , him he sent either to collect the tribute of the Ephraimites, to show his authority; or rather to call the people back to have some further discourse with them, and endeavour to soften things, and bring them to a compliance, so Josephus F12 Antiqu. l. 8. c. 8. sect. 3. ;... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 12:19

So Israel rebelled against the house of David unto this day. In which the writer of this book lived, and so continued until their captivity by the king of Assyria. Their revolt is called a rebellion; for though it was according to the purpose and will of God, yet the people had no command or order from God for it, and was done without consulting him, and was a rejection of their lawful prince. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 12:16

So Israel departed unto their tents - That is, the ten tribes withdrew their allegiance from Rehoboam; only Judah and Benjamin, frequently reckoned one tribe, remaining with him. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 12:18

King Rehoboam sent Adoram - As this was the person who was superintendent over the tribute, he was probably sent to collect the ordinary taxes; but the people, indignant at the master who had given them such a brutish answer, stoned the servant to death. The sending of Adoram to collect the taxes, when the public mind was in such a state of fermentation, was another proof of Rehoboam's folly and incapacity to govern. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 12:1-20

The accomplishment of the predicted judgment. I. DANGERS OFTEN COME DISGUISED . 1 . It was a time of joyous expectation . Nothing betokened the nearness of rebellion and disaster. All Israel had come to Shechem to make him king. There was no dispute about the succession, and no unwillingness to own the sway of the house of David. All was hopeful. Danger may lurk in joy like a venomous insect in a flower. 2 . The people's request was reasonable . Rehoboam could... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 12:12-16

The rending of the kingdom. The name of Rehoboam is remarkable as seen in the light of the facts of his history. The "enlarger of the kingdom" becomes the chief instrument in its disruption. The one strong nation, the throne of which he inherited from his father, is changed by his folly into two comparatively weak and distracted kingdoms, which maintain towards each other an attitude of perpetual jealousy and strife. The revolt of the ten tribes was a calamity from the ill effects of which... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 12:16

So when all Israel saw that the king hearkened not unto them, the people answered [Heb. brought back word to ; probably after some consultation amongst themselves] the king, saying, What portion have we in David? [Same expression as 2 Samuel 20:1 . The words, interpreted by this passage and 2 Samuel 19:43 , mean, "Since we have no kindness or fairness from David's seed, what is his house to us? Why render homage to his son? We receive nought from him, why yield aught to him?"] ... read more

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