Solomon dies, and Rehoboam B. C. 980. I. KINGS. B. C. 980. reigns in his stead. A. M. 3024. 38 And it shall be, if thou wilt | Shishak king of Egypt, and was in A. M. 3024. hearken unto all that I command Egypt until the death of Solomon. 41 And the rest of the 11 acts of Solomon, and all that he did, and his wisdom, are they not written in the book of the acts of Solomon? thee, and wilt walk in my ways, and do that is right in my sight, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as David my servant did; that I will be with thee, and build thee a sure house, as I built for David, and will give Israel unto thee. 39 And I will for this afflict the seed of David, but not for ever. 40 Solomon sought therefore to kill Jeroboam. And Jeroboam arose, and fled into Egypt, unto 42 And the 12 time that Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel was forty years. 43° And Solomon slept with his fa- B. C. 957. thers, and was buried in the city of David his father: and reigned in his stead. n 2 Chronicles ix. 30. Rehoboam his son 12 Heb. days. 2 Chronicles ix. 31. P Matt. i. 7; called Roboam. thy soul desireth-According to thy utmost wishes made no scruple to report what he had delivered in and desires. It appears from this that he was a the name of the Lord. Or, Jeroboam himself, being very aspiring and ambitious man, fond of power and puffed up with the expectation of ascending the pre-eminence; and it is not unlikely but he might throne, could not conceal it, nor keep his own counat this time be plotting against Solomon, and con- sel, but told the matter to some of his confidants, triving to rise to the throne. The Jews say, that who spread it abroad. But that Solomon should ever when he was employed by Solomon in repairing || entertain a thought of endeavouring to defeat the and building Millo, as the expenses attending the purpose of God, is astonishing indeed! Jeroboam work were very great, he took opportunities of re- arose and fled-unto Shishak king of Egypt-Soloflecting upon Solomon as oppressive to his people, mon's brother-in-law, as is probable, who yet might and of suggesting that which he thought would be jealous of him, or alienated from him, because alienate them from his government, and infuse a spi- he had taken so many other wives to his sister; or rit of sedition and revolt. He complained heavily, might cast a greedy eye upon the great riches which especially to his brethren of the tribe of Ephraim, Solomon had amassed together, and upon which, "of the hard labour to which they were forced presently after Solomon's death, he laid violent to submit, and the taxes they were obliged to pay; hands, 2 Chron. xii. 9. We may observe here that and to represent the whole affair as a work of vanity, all the kings of Egypt, from the time of Abraham, merely to gratify a proud foreign woman, and a silly, are in the sacred history called by the name of Phadoting king; for Solomon filled up a part of the val- raoh, unless Rameses (mentioned Gen. xlvii.) be ley of Millo to build a palace for Pharaoh's daughter. the name of a king, not of a country; so that this is By these insinuations, it is thought, Jeroboam the first we meet with called by his proper name, wrought in the people a disaffection to Solomon and different from the rest of the Pharaohs. The opinion his government." See Calmet's Dict. under the is pretty general that this was the great king, called word MILLO. by the Greeks Sesostris, who, having subdued Ethiopia, extended his conquests into Asia, as far as the Assyrians and Medes, as Josephus tells us, who calls him Sethosis. Verse 38. If thou wilt hearken to all that I command thee, &c.—He is hereby given to understand, that the grant of the crown to him and his descendants will be conditional, and that he and they will be upon their good behaviour. Verse 39. I will for this-For Solomon's sin, mentioned verse 33; afflict the seed of David-By rending the greatest part of the kingdom from them; but not for ever-A time shall come when the seed of David shall not be thus molested by the kingdom of Israel, but shall flourish again in great power and prosperity; which it did in many illustrious kings of Judah, who reigned in glory when Jeroboam's family was extirpated. And at last the Messiah came, who united together the broken sticks of Judah and Joseph, and rules over Jews and Gen Verse 41. The rest of the acts of Solomon, &c.— It is probable that Solomon employed a chronologer, or historiographer, to write the annals of his reign, which public record is here termed, The book of the acts of Solomon. And out of these annals the sacred writer of this history took what he judged most useful, and omitted the rest, which he did not think so necessary to be related, or so instructive. Verses 42, 43. The time that Solomon reigned— was forty years-His reign was as long as his father's, but not his life: sin shortened his days. And Solomon slept with his fathers-This expression is promiscuously used concerning good and bad, and signifies only, that they died as their fathers did. Verse 40. Solomon sought therefore to kill Jero-|| And was buried in the city of David his fatherboam-How Solomon came to know what was Thus concludes the history of this great man; withsecretly transacted between Ahijah and Jeroboam out any the least mention of his repentance, or of alone, is a great question: perhaps the prophet | his bringing forth any of the proper fruits of re tiles also. pentance, such as pulling down the high places he had built for the worship of idols, and abandoning his idolatrous wives and concubines. Many Jews and Christians, however, think it extremely probable that he was awakened to a sense of his sin and misery by means of the message which God sent him, as recorded verse 11; and that he humbled himself before him, and became a true penitent from that time. They even judge that this is put out of dispute by the book of Ecclesiastes, written after his fall, as, they say, is evident, not only from the unanimous testimony of the Hebrew writers, but also from the whole strain of that book, which was manifestly composed long after he had finished all his works, and after he had liberally drunk of all sorts of sensual pleasures, and sadly experienced the bitter effects of the love of women. Now in this book he appears greatly to lament his own folly and madness, chap. vii. 25-28; and warns others to take heed of the like evil courses, and to fear God and keep his commandments, in consideration of the judgment to come, chap. xi. 9, 10, and xii. 13, 14. They think it probable, therefore, that as David wrote Psalm li., so Solomon wrote this book, as a public testimony to the throne. and profession of his repentance. On the other hand, many are of opinion, that the silence of the divine historian on this subject is an insuperable objection to all this, and that if he had truly repented, so considerable a circumstance of his life would not have been omitted, and that we should, at least, have been informed of his abolishing all the monuments of his idolatry, and those of his wives and concubines. Perhaps, as Dr. Dodd observes, "this is one of those questions which will for ever be a field of controversy, as we have no certain guide from the Scripture to direct us." We may, however, safely conclude, that if Solomon did repent, yet as the sacred writer has not recorded that he did, but suffered the important circumstance to remain doubtful, he intended to leave a blot upon his memory, that all posterity might have before their eyes an awful example of human weakness, even in a man of the greatest endowments; and might learn thereby to watch and pray lest they should enter into temptation; and to beware of the beginnings and infatuations of vice, since even Solomon was not secure against its delusions; and, once unhappily immersed in it, perhaps, was never disengaged from it CHAPTER XII. Rehoboam succeeds to the throne, and Jeroboam returns out of Egypt, 1, 2. The people's petition to Rehoboam, and his answer, 3-15. Ten tribes revolt and make Jeroboam king, 16–20. God forbids Rehoboam to make war upon them, 21–24. Jeroboam sets up two golden calves, 25–33. A. M. 3029. B. C. 975. AND B. C. 975. • Rehoboam went to She- || son of Nebat, who was yet in Egypt, A. M. 3029. to Shechem to make him king. b 12 Chron. x. 1, &c.- ——— Chap. xi. 26. NOTES ON CHAPTER XII. Verse 1. Rehoboam went to Shechem-With a view to be there declared Solomon's successor by the people, and made king. It does not appear that he called the people thither, but went thither because they had prevented him, and pitched upon that place rather than upon Jerusalem, because it was most convenient for all, being in the centre of the kingdom; and because, as it was in the potent tribe of Ephraim, they supposed they might there more securely propose their grievances, which they were resolved to do, and use a greater freedom of speech than they could at Jerusalem, where the family of David was more powerful, more numerous, and better supported. And it is not improbable but Jerobeam had a hand in this, and that it was partly at least by his management, or that of some of his friends, who durst not, perhaps, venture themselves at Jerusalem, that this city was made choice of as a c Chap. xi. 40. place of general convention. The glory of the kingdom of Israel was in its height and perfection in Solomon's reign. It was long in coming to it, but it soon declined and began to sink and wither under Rehoboam his successor, as we find in this chapter, in which we see the kingdom divided, and thereby weakened, and made little in comparison of what it had been. Solomon probably supposed that by taking to himself seven hundred wives that were princesses, he should greatly strengthen his power, and enlarge his kingdom; and that from them and his three hundred concubines he should have a numerous progeny to perpetuate that power and dominion, in all its extent, to the latest generations. But if so, he was sadly disappointed: of these thousand women, it appears, he had but one son, and he a fool! and two daughters, mentioned chap. iv. 11, 15, to bear up his name, and continue his race. "Sin," says Henry, "is an ill way of building up a family.” Rehoboam rejects the A. M. 3029. B. C. 975. 3 That they sent and called him. I speak good words to them, then they A. M. 3029. And Jeroboam and all the congrega-will be thy servants for ever. tion of Israel came, and spake unto Rehoboam, saying, yet for And the 4 Thy father made our yoke grievous: now therefore make thou the grievous service of thy father, and his heavy yoke which he put upon us, lighter, and we will serve thee. 5 And he said unto them, Depart three days, then come again to me. people departed. 6 ¶ And King Rehoboam consulted with the old men that stood before Solomon his father while he yet lived, and said, How do ye advise that I may answer this people? 7 And they spake unto him, saying, If thou wilt be a servant unto this people this day, and wilt serve them, and answer them, and d1 Sam. viii. 11-18; Chap. iv. 7. || 8 But he forsook the counsel of the old men, which they had given him, and consulted with the young men that were grown up with him, and which stood before him : ye 9 And he said unto them, What counsel give that we may answer this people, who have spoken to me, saying, Make the yoke which thy father did put upon us lighter? 10 And the young men that were grown up with him spake unto him, saying, Thus shalt thou speak unto this people that spake unto thee, saying, Thy father made our yoke heavy, but make thou it lighter unto us; thus shalt thou say unto them, My little finger shall be thicker than my father's loins. 11 And now whereas my father did lade you • 2 Chron. x. 7; Prov. xv. 1. Verse 3. They sent and called him-When the so wise, yet would not depend solely on his own people sent Jeroboam word of Solomon's death, they || wisdom, but had other wise men about him, with also sent a message to him to desire he would attend || whom he advised, as his counsellors in all matters of their general meeting at Shechem, and assist them moment. If thou wilt be a servant unto this people to get their grievances redressed. For they judged this day, &c.-By complying with their desires, and that the presence and countenance of a man of such condescending to them for a time, till thou art better great interest and reputation might lay the greater established in thy throne. They say, This day, obligation upon Rehoboam to grant them ease and that is, now, for a short season, foreseeing that some relief. Some suppose that they had heard of what would dissuade him from this course, as below the had passed between the Prophet Ahijah and him, and majesty of a prince; and answer them, and speak had an inclination to fulfil what the prophet had good words-The service is not hard: it is only to foretold to him; which is not unlikely. And all the give a few good words, which it is as easy to give as congregation came-That is, all their elders, and the bad ones. This was most wise advice, and if Rehoheads of their tribes. These, it appears, chose Je- boam had pursued this method, by his mild behaviour roboam to be their speaker. and kind speeches he would have won their hearts, and made them submit cheerfully to him, so that he would soon have had the same power over them which his father had. Verse 4. Thy father made our yoke grievous-By|| heavy taxes and impositions, not only for the temple and his magnificent buildings, but for the expenses of his numerous court, and of so many wives and Verse 8. But he forsook the counsel of the old men concubines, and the maintenance of so many cha--Judging it unworthy of his majesty and authority, riots and horses. Thus they began with a complaint against the former government; and, as Solomon had so grossly forsaken God, it is no wonder if he oppressed the people. The burdens, however, of which they complain, could not be so heavy as they represented them, considering the peace and plenty which they enjoyed, (chap. iv. 25,) and the vast riches he brought into the kingdom; and it is expressly said, (chap. ix. 22,) that Solomon made no Israelite a bondman. But to those desirous of a change, a light cause seems sufficient. Make thou the grievous service of thy father lighter, &c. They promise to submit to Rehoboam as their king, and be his faithful subjects, if he would promise to ease them of those burdens which his father had imposed on them. Verses 6, 7. Consulted with the old men that stood before-his father-Solomon, in his best days, though and likely to encourage the people in their insolent demands; and, being proud and vain, he scorned to condescend to them and court them in this way, but would have obedience paid to him as to an absolute monarch; and consulted with the young men-So called compared with the old men, otherwise, as they had grown up with him, they must have been near forty years old. They were, however, men who were unexperienced, and who understood not the humour of the people they had to do with. This is frequently the fault of new kings: to show their power, and gratify their dependants, they frequently change their counsellors and put in new of ficers; not considering who are wisest and worthiest, but who have been their companions. &c. Verses 10, 11. My little finger shall be thicker, -Or, rather, is thicker, and therefore stronger, and more able to crush you, if you proceed in these 2 3 2 The ten tribes separate B. C. 975. CHAPTER XII. B. C. 975. from Rehoboam. A. M. 3929. with a heavy yoke, I will add to your || father also chastised you with whips, A. M. 3029. yoke: my father hath chastised you but I will chastise you with scorpions. with whips, but I will chastise you with scor- 15 Wherefore the king hearkened not unto pions. the people for the cause was from the LORD, that he might perform his saying, which the LORD spake by Ahijah the Shilonite unto Jeroboam the son of Nebat. 12 So Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam the third day, as the king had appointed, saying, Come to me again the third day. 16 So when all Israel saw that the king 13 And the king answered the people|| hearkened not unto them, the people answered 'roughly, and forsook the old men's counsel that they gave him; 14 And spake to them after the counsel of the young men, saying, My father made your yoke heavy, and I will add to your yoke: my the king, saying, What portion have we in David? neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse: to your tents, O Israel: now see to thine own house, David. So Israel departed unto their tents. 1 Heb. hardly.— Verse 24; Judg. xiv. 4; 2 Chron. x. 15;|| xxii. 7; xxv. 20.- Chap. xi. 11, 31.- 2 Samuel xx. 1. mutinous demands, than his loins-In which is the principal seat of strength. My father was young and weak, and had many enemies, when he first took the kingdom, but I am the undoubted heir, and I find the kingdom by his wise care, far better settled and fortified against all enemies, foreign or domestic, than he did. Or, they advise him, in these words, to threaten to lay burdens upon them as much heavier than his father's, as the loins of a man are thicker than his little finger. I will add to your yoke―That is, I will make it heavier and stronger, both to punish your petulance, and to curb and restrain you from seditious attempts. My father chastised you with hips-Punished and made you smart when you transgressed his laws or resisted his authority; but Iwill chastise you with scorpions-With such whips as will sting you like scorpions. If you proceed in these courses, I will most severely punish you. What sort of instrument is here meant by scorpions, cannot now be perfectly determined; though some authors think that whips with rowels in them, or sharp thorns tied to them, are intended by the expression. Undoubtedly it was a scourge, called so from its cruelty. Verses 13-15. The king answered the people roughly-He affected to be haughty and imperious, and fancied he could carry all before him with a high hand, and therefore would rather run the risk of losing them, than deny himself so far as to give them good words. Thus many ruin themselves by Consulting their humour more than their interest. For the cause was from the Lord-Who, having determined, in punishment of Solomon's idolatries and criminal pleasures, to take the greater part of the kingdom away from his son, did not restrain Rehoboam from following the dictates of his own imperious temper, and ambitious views; but gave up to the foolish and fatal mistake of answering the people according to the advice of his young and hot-headed counsellors, whereby their affections were alienated from him, and he lost more than half of his empire. Thus God, in his adorable providence, serves his own wise and righteous purposes, him by the imprudences and iniquities of men, and snares sinners in the work of their own hands. They that lose the kingdom of heaven, throw it away as Rehoboam did his, by their own wilfulness and folly. Reader, take care that this be not thy case. Verse 16. So when all Israel saw that the king hearkened not unto them, &c.-Here we see the divine threatening to Solomon by Ahijah beginning to take effect, and the important event of rending the kingdom of the ten tribes from the house of David, foretold by that prophet, on the point of being fulfilled. The people show themselves bold and resolute in the cause they had undertaken, and highly resent the provocation which Rehoboam had given them, concluding that a government, which in the beginning was so haughty, would be intolerably grievous in the progress of it. What portion have we in David?-In David's family and son; we can expect no benefit or relief from him, and therefore we renounce all commerce with him, and subjection to him. They named David rather than Rehoboam, to signify that they renounced not Rehoboam only, but all David's family. Son of Jesse-So they call David in contempt; as if they had said, Rehoboam hath no reason to carry himself with such pride and contempt toward his people; for if we trace his original, it was as mean and obscure as ours. To your tents, O Israel-Let us forsake him and go to our own homes, there to consider how to provide for ourselves. Now see to thine own house, David-Look to thine own affairs, and content thyself with reigning over the house of Judah; for thou shalt no longer rule over us. Thus they break out into actual and open rebellion against the family of David, to which they were under the greatest obligations: for surely no nation ever owed more to a prince, than the Israelites did to him. But how soon were all his benefits forgotten by this ungrateful people! ungrateful, not only to God, but to their best temporal benefactors. It is true their jealousy for their liberty and property well became them as a free people; but the rashness of their resolution is much to be blamed: for, in time, and by prudent man Rehoboam is forbidden A. M. 3029. I. KINGS. i 17 But as for the children of Israel which dwelt in the cities of Judah, Rehoboam reigned over them. 18 Then King Rehoboam sent Adoram, who was over the tribute; and all Israel stoned him with stones, that he died. Therefore King Rehoboam 2made speed to get him up to his chariot to flee to Jerusalem. to fight against Israel. B. C. 975. 21 ¶ And when "Rehoboam was A. M. 3029. come to Jerusalem, he assembled all the house of Judah, with the tribe of Benjamin, a 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. 22 But the word of God came unto She 19 So 1Israel rebelled against the house of maiah the man of God, saying, David unto this day. 20 And it came to pass when all Israel heard that Jeroboam was come again, that they sent and called him unto the congregation, and made him king over all Israel: there was none that followed the house of David, but the tribe of Judah only. Chap. xi. 13, 36. m Chap. iv. 6; v. 14.- - Heb. strengthened himself. 2 Kings xvii. 21.3 Or, fell away. 23 Speak unto Rehoboam the son of Solomon, king of Judah, and unto all the house of Judah and Benjamin, and to the remnant of the people, saying, 24 Thus saith the LORD, Ye shall not go up, nor fight against your brethren the children of Israel: return every man to his house; for dence; for he should, if possible, have maintained his ground, and kept footing, as we speak, in the country of Israel, from whence it might not have been || easy for them to expel him: but fear is a bad adviser. This is the first time that we find a king riding in a chariot; for we never read of Saul, or David, or Solomon riding in one. But after the division of the kingdom there is frequent mention of the use of chariots, both by the kings of Judah and Israel. Verse 19. So Israel rebelled against the house of David-And thereby fulfilled God's threatening denounced to Solomon. Nevertheless their conduct in this was sinful, as they did not revolt in compliance with God's counsel, but to gratify their own passions. agement, they might have settled matters with Rehoboam to mutual satisfaction. Had they inquired who gave him this advice, and taken a course to remove those evil counsellors from about him, the rupture might have been prevented. It is no marvel, however, that Israel fell away from the house of David, when the house of David fell from God, and from the great ends of their advancement, which was, to be ministers of God to the people for good. Verse 18. Then Rehoboam sent Adoram, who was || over the tribute-To pursue the counsel which he had resolved upon, say some; to execute his office,|| and exact their tribute with rigour, and, if need were, with violence. But it is much more probable that he sent him to treat with them; which was a new piece of imprudence when they were so highly exasperated. And to send the person for this pur- Verse 20. When all Israel heard that Jeroboam pose, that was over the tribute, with promises, per- was come-From Egypt; which was known to the haps, of easing them, when it was too late, was cer- great men, and to such as met at Shechem before, tainly the height of folly; for people generally and was now spread over the country; they sent hate those that are any way employed in collecting-To his tent, or habitation, to which he had retired the tributes and taxes imposed upon them. And all Israel stoned him with stones, that he died-He was so odious among them that the very sight of him made them outrageous, and in a general tumult; they committed this barbarous act, and thereby violated the law of all nations, which prohibits any injury to be offered to the person of a king's ambassador. Therefore King Rehoboam made speed to flee to Jerusalem-From Shechem, where he yet was with his friends and guards about him. For, it seems, he had continued there in the midst of his kingdom, and among the seditious tribes, that he might overawe them by his presence, and repress any tumults in their first rise: but from thence, as soon as he saw himself in danger, he fled away in his chariot, with all speed, in the most cowardly manner, notwithstanding the haughtiness he had lately manifested, and the big words he had spoken. This seems to have been a still further degree of impru-|| from Shechem, as the others, who had met there had generally done. And called him unto the congregation-Which had been summoned by the elders of the several tribes, to consider how to settle their affairs, which they easily agreed to do, by conferring the crown on Jeroboam, according to God's promise made to him. None followed the house of David-No entire tribe; but the tribe of JudahWhich comprehended Benjamin also, being one with it, as was observed before, chap. xi. 32. And it was by the singular providence of God that they did not also desert such a haughty prince as Rehoboam was. There were, however, many families and individuals of some of the other tribes, especially of Levi and Simeon, which dwelling in the cities of Judah, continued to be subject to Rehoboam, see verse 17. Verses 22-24. The word of God came to Shemaiah the man of God-The prophet so called, partly |