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
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
The Revolution. The unconciliatory, insulting, insane conduct of Rehoboam in rejecting the Bill of Rights of the people of Israel provoked a revolution in the state. This is recorded in the text, in which we learn that— I. IT COMMENCED WITH THE REJECTION OF THE KING . 1 . This act was done in haste. 2 . It was done in anger . 3 . But their anger carried them too far . II. IT WAS COMPLETED IN THE CROWNING OF JEROBOAM . 1 . ... read more
But as for the children of Israel which dwelt In the cities of Judah [ i.e; "the Israelites proper or members of other tribes, who happened to be settled within the limits of the land of Judah" (cf. 1 Kings 12:23 ). A number of Simeonites were (Rawlinson) certainly among them ( Joshua 19:1-9 ). The term "children of Israel" is henceforward to be understood in its restricted sense (see on 1 Kings 12:1 ). It cannot include the men of Judah], Rehoboam reigned over them. read more
Israel ... - The Israelites proper, or members of the other tribes, who happened to be settled within the limits of the land of Judah. These Israelites quietly submitted to Rehoboam. “Israel” through this chapter, and throughout the rest of Kings, designates ordinarily “the ten tribes,” and is antithetical to “Judah.” read more
Click image for full-size version12:1-16:28 EARLY DAYS OF THE DIVIDED KINGDOMRevolt against Rehoboam (12:1-24)From the time of the judges there had been tension between Judah and the northern tribes, particularly Ephraim. Rehoboam apparently knew of the possibility that the northern tribes would break away from him, and therefore he arranged for a special coronation ceremony in Shechem, one of the more important northern cities (12:1).Jeroboam decided immediately that he would test Rehoboam’s... read more
children = sons. Israel which dwelt in. Judah. Here was a nucleus of true worshippers constantly increased (1 Kings 12:19 . 1Ch 9:3 . 2 Chronicles 10:17 ; 2 Chronicles 11:3 , 2Ch 11:16 , 2 Chronicles 11:17 ; 2 Chronicles 15:9 ; 2Ch 16:1 ; 2 Chronicles 19:8 ; 2 Chronicles 23:2 ; 2Ch 30:1 , 2 Chronicles 30:5 , 2 Chronicles 30:10 , 2 Chronicles 30:11 ; 2 Chronicles 31:6 ). In Ezra 1:5 ; Ezra 2:2 , Ezra 2:59 , Ezra 2:70 ; Ezra 7:13 ; Ezra 9:1 ; Ezra 10:5 , those returning of Judah's captivity are... read more
1. The division of the kingdom 12:1-24This section of text contains the account of the split of the United Kingdom into the Northern Kingdom of Israel and the Southern Kingdom of Judah. read more
A. The First Period of Antagonism 12:1-16:28After the division of the kingdom, their respective kings were hostile to one another for 57 years. read more
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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