1 Kings 12:3

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Kings 12:1-15

Solomon had 1000 wives and concubines, yet we read but of one son he had to bear up his name, and he a fool. It is said (Hos. 4:10), They shall commit whoredom, and shall not increase. Sin is a bad way of building up a family. Rehoboam was the son of the wisest of men, yet did not inherit his father's wisdom, and then it stood him in little stead to inherit his father's throne. Neither wisdom nor grace runs in the blood. Solomon came to the crown very young, yet he was then a wise man.... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 12:3

That they sent and called him ,.... That is, the people of Israel, some of the principal of them, especially of the tribe of Ephraim, sent messengers to him, and gave him an invitation to come to them at Shechem; or, they had sent F5 So Pagninus, Montanus. , as Kimchi interprets it, which was the reason of his returning from Egypt, at least one of them: and Jeroboam, and all the congregation of Israel, came ; the chief men of them, the heads of the people; these, with Jeroboam at... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 12:1-5

The Dead and the Living. "The king is dead; long live the king!" This paradox expresses an important truth. Bathsheba recognized it when David on his deathbed promised her that Solomon, her son, should succeed him on the throne, and she said, "Let my lord king David live forever" ( 1 Kings 1:31 ). I. SOLOMON IS DEAD . 1 . His active form is no longer seen . 2 . Where is the disembodied spirit? II. BUT HE SURVIVES IN REHOBOAM . This fact is the ground... 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 12:3

That [Heb. and] they sent and called him. And Jeroboam and all the congregation of Israel came [It has been held that this verse is largely an interpolation. The LXX . Cod. Vat. has simply, " And the people spake unto king Rehoboam, saying." Of more importance, however, is the fact that it is at direct variance with verse 20, which places the appearance of Jeroboam on the scene after the revolt of the tribes. Indeed, these two verses can only be brought into agreement by the... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Kings 12:3

1 Kings 12:3. They sent and called him When the people sent Jeroboam word of Solomon’s death, they also sent a message to him to desire he would attend their general meeting at Shechem, and assist them to get their grievances redressed. For they judged that the presence and countenance of a man of such great interest and reputation might lay the greater obligation upon Rehoboam to grant them ease and relief. Some suppose that they had heard of what had passed between the Prophet Ahijah and... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 12:1-24

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

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 1 Kings 12:3

congregation = assembly. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 Kings 12:1-5

Rehoboam’s dilemma 12:1-5It is not clear why the northern tribes had invited Rehoboam to the northern town of Shechem. They may have done so for a coronation over Israel separate from his coronation over Judah. [Note: Jacob Myers, II Chronicles, p. 65; Bright, p. 210.] On the other hand, the northern tribes may have invited him to go there for his coronation over the entire nation. Jerusalem was the natural coronation site. Perhaps Rehoboam chose to hold the ceremony at Shechem to accommodate,... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 Kings 12:1-24

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

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