The chroniclers begins to show the split of the kingdom. Yet, he doesn't give any details regarding the northern kingdom. His audience are those returning from exile, his purpose is to detail the line of David and the throne. After the exile, the unity of the nation, under one ruler was the priority.
Of all of Solomon's wives, as far as we know he had only one son, Rehoboam. It should have been automatice that the tribes would acknowledge him as their king at the death of Solomon. However, Rehoboam went to Shechem and all of Israel was there to make him king. It seems as though Rehoboam was going to them. This could definitely be a sign of weakness.
Jereboam's rebellion is detailed in 1 Kings 11:26-40. He fled Solomon because the prophet informed Jereboam that God would tear the kingdom away from Solomon. Jereboam was in exile in Egypt, awaiting the death of Solomon. After the coronation of Rehoboam, Jereboam and much of Israel come before him to negotiate relief from the burdens Solomon had placed on al the kingdom by way of taxation and forced labor.
The young king consulted the elders who saw the value in people and the value of their loyalty. They were the kingdom, not the king and his wealth. But Rehoboam rejected the elders wisdom and advice. The young men talked tough and were prideful; they called for heavier oppression to silence the rebellion. When the people saw the kings attitude toward them, they confirmed they had no share in David. They separated themselves from the king and rejected his rule over them. Hadoram was part of the problem and certainly not a solution. He was subsequently stoned, sending a clear message to the king of the seriousness of the rebellion and division.
©2017 Doug Ford
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