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UTN uW Translation Notes:

1 Kings 12 Chapter Introduction

Structure and Formatting

This chapter tells how the kingdom of David and Solomon was split into two kingdoms, Israel in the north and Judah in the south. 1. The Israelites revolt against Rehoboam (12:1–19) 2. Jeroboam becomes the king of the northern tribes (12:20–33)

Religious and Cultural Concepts in This Chapter

Israel splits

God’s warning to Solomon came true. In spite of his famous wealth, Solomon had over-taxed his own people and forced them to work too hard. When the people requested that his son Rehoboam, who succeeded him as king, reduce taxes and forced labor, he replied that he would be even harsher than his father. This caused the ten northern tribes to revolt and appoint Jeroboam as their king. These northern tribes became the kingdom of Israel. Only the united tribe of Judah and Benjamin remained loyal to Rehoboam. They became the kingdom of Judah.

Jeroboam introduces idol worship

Jeroboam was afraid that if the people continued to go to Jerusalem to worship in the temple, they would want to return to Rehoboam as their king. So he made shrines in the north and south of his kingdom with golden statutes of calves for the people to worship. This eventually caused the destruction of his whole family. The kingdom of Israel continued worshiping those idols until they were taken captive by the Assyrians.

Why did Rehoboam send Adoram out?

The author describes in 12:18 how, after the Israelites rejected Rehoboam as their king, he sent Adoram, his officer in charge of forced labor, to speak with them. The Israelites responded by stoning Adoram to death. Rehoboam then had to flee to Jerusalem in his chariot to save his own life. It may seem that Rehoboam should have anticipated this outcome and not sent Adoram to speak with the people. This shows that he truly did have bad judgment because he was relying on his younger, inexperienced friends instead of the older men who had attended his father Solomon and heard his wisdom. Sending Adoram to the people signaled Rehoboam’s intent to continue and enforce the harsh labor policies established under his father Solomon, which the people deeply resented. Rather than seeking dialogue or reconciliation, Rehoboam acted out of arrogance or misjudgment, believing wrongly that a show of authority through his officer would quell resistance.