What can we learn from Rehoboam?

Wise counsel is worth more than the advice of those who flatter us: Rehoboam loses ten tribes by forsaking the elders (1 Kgs 12:8, 16). A harsh word destroys what a kind word would have kept: to exercise authority is to serve (1 Kgs 12:7, 13-16). A faithful start is not enough: after three years, Rehoboam grows strong and forsakes the LORD (2 Chr 11:17; 12:1). Humility draws mercy: by humbling themselves, the king and the princes escape destruction (2 Chr 12:6-7, 12).

Divided kingdom · around 931–913 BC

Rehoboam in the Bible

The king who listened to the young men. Name meaning: “He who enlarges the people” (probable meaning of the Hebrew Rehabam); the Bible does not explain it

Solomon’s son Rehoboam becomes king at Shechem and rejects the counsel of the elders to follow that of the young men: “I will chastise you with scorpions” (1 Kgs 12:14). Ten tribes break away from the house of David, and he rules only over Judah and Benjamin. After a faithful start, he forsakes the law of the LORD; Shishak’s invasion humbles him, but “he did evil, because he prepared not his heart to seek the LORD” (2 Chr 12:14).

Main books: 1 Kings, 2 Chronicles

Key moments

He becomes king at Solomon’s death 1 Kings 11:43
At Shechem, he forsakes the counsel of the elders 1 Kings 12:8
He threatens the people with “scorpions” 1 Kings 12:14
Israel breaks away from the house of David 1 Kings 12:16
He gives up the war at the word of Shemaiah 1 Kings 12:24
He forsakes the law of the LORD 2 Chronicles 12:1
He humbles himself before the LORD when Shishak invades 2 Chronicles 12:6

Strengths

Harshness
Pride
Political shrewdness
Fleeting humility

Weaknesses

Rehoboam rejects the counsel of the elders and answers harshly a people who had asked for a lighter yoke (1 Kgs 12:8, 13-14). Once established, he forsakes the law of the LORD and does not prepare his heart to seek him (2 Chr 12:1, 14). Yet he does know how to humble himself before God when Shishak approaches (2 Chr 12:6, 12).

Lessons for today

Wise counsel is worth more than the advice of those who flatter us: Rehoboam loses ten tribes by forsaking the elders (1 Kgs 12:8, 16).
A harsh word destroys what a kind word would have kept: to exercise authority is to serve (1 Kgs 12:7, 13-16).
A faithful start is not enough: after three years, Rehoboam grows strong and forsakes the LORD (2 Chr 11:17; 12:1).
Humility draws mercy: by humbling themselves, the king and the princes escape destruction (2 Chr 12:6-7, 12).

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:

1 Kings 12:8

So when all Israel saw that the king hearkened not unto them, the people answered 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 Kings 12:16

And it came to pass, when Rehoboam had established the kingdom, and had strengthened himself, he forsook the law of the Lord, and all Israel with him.

2 Chronicles 12:1

People around Rehoboam

Solomon — Father, king of Israel before him
Jeroboam — Rival, first king of the northern kingdom
Naamah — Mother, the Ammonitess
Shemaiah — Prophet who stops him from fighting Israel
Shishak — King of Egypt who takes the treasures of Jerusalem
Abijah — Son of Maachah, heir to his throne

Quiz: how well do you know Rehoboam?

Who was Rehoboam’s father?

To which city did all Israel come to make Rehoboam king?

Which counselors did Rehoboam set aside before answering the people?

There are many more questions like these in Bible Academy, each with its explanation and verse. Start your free trial.