1 Kings 12

The Israelites seek to Rehabeam for easement of their imposed burdens, v. 1. & c. About it he adviseth first with the old men, 5. After that with the younger sort, whose counsel he followeth, 8. For which cause ten tribes revolt from him, 16. He attempteth to bring them again to him, but in vain, 18. Yea God himself forbiddeth him to do it, 22. Jerobeam King of Israel, secureth his Kingdom by building certain strong holds, 25. And by instituting a new kind of worship, 26.

1. And Rehabeam went to Sichem [The name of a City lying in Ephraim; of which see further, Gen. 12. On v. 6.] for all Israel were come to Sicheam to make him King. [in the City, viz. Sichem, as in the midst of the land, was the assembly held, wherein they were to treat of the installing of the new King, and of the affairs of the Kingdom]

2. Now it came to pass when Jerobeam the Son of Neaat, heard (this), where he was yet in Egypt, (for he was fled from the face of King Salomon: [See above chapter 11. V. 40.] and Jerobeam dwelt in Egypt) [viz. Waiting for a fit opportunity, to obtain the Kingdom promised him of God by the Prophet Ahia, above ch. 11. 31.]

3. That they sent and caused him to be called; and Jerobeam, and all the Congregation of Israel came; and spoke unto Rehabeam, saying;

4. Thy Father made our yoak, [i.e. the bondage, and the burden of tribute, which Salomon had laid upon them. See above chapter 4. 7. And 5. 13. So is the word yoak used in the following words: Item, Genesis 27:40. And Leviticus 26:13.] hard: although Salomon had charged the goods and estates of his subjects with taxes for maintaining of his state and court, above chapter 4. 7. 22. Yet they had no cause to complain thus, for as much as they had under his government, (which lasted fourty years, 2 Chron. 9. 30.) enjoyed besides the true Religion, great peace and outward prosperity, as appeareth make thy fathers hard service, [i.e. which thy father hath laid upon us: so, the burden of the King, Hosea 8:10. That is, which the King imposeth, or layeth upon] and his heavy yoak which he laid upon us, [Heb. Gave upon us, so v. 9] lighter, [or, lessen, diminish somewhat of thy fathers hard service, etc.] and we will serve thee. [i.e. be thy subjects, and accept of and acknowledge thee of our King, and obey thee. This is expressed below v. 7.] to be servants.

5. And he said unto them: go your ways until the third day, then come to me again : and the people went their ways.

6. And the King Rehabeam consulted with the eldest, [i.e. with the Counsellors of the Kingdom. See Gen. 50. On v. 7.] that had stood before the face of Solomon his Father, [i.e. that had served him with advice and counsel. Compare below v. 8. And see Deut. 1. On v. 38. And above chapter 1. On v. 2.] when he lived; saying; how do you advise, that we may answer this people?

7. And they spoke unto him saying ; If thou wilt be a servant unto this people this day, and wilt answer them, speak good words [i.e. acceptable, friendly, comfortable words. See above chapter 1. On v. 42.] unto them: then they will be thy servants [see ab. On v. 42.] unto them: then they will be thy servants [see ab. On v. 4.] at all days.

8. But he forsook the counsel of the eldest, which they had counselled him, and he consulted with the young men, [See on the Hebrew word, Gen. 44. On v. 20.] that were grown up [or nourished] with him, which stood before his face. [i.e. which were in his service, as ab. V. 6.]

9. And he said unto them; what counsel give ye, that we may answer this people, who have spoken to me, saying, make the yeak which thy father laid upon us, lighter.

10. And the young men that were grown up with him, spake unto him, saying: Thus shalt thou speak unto that people, that spake unto thee, saying; thy father made our yoak heavy; but make thou it lighter upon us: Thus shalt thou speak unto them; my least (finger) shall be thicker then my Fathers loins. [or, my least (joint) etc. A common proverb, whereby is intimated, that he would use more violence to oppress his people, then his Father had done.]

11. Now if my Father hath caused an heavy yoak to be laden upon you; then I will besides your yoak yet add thereunto: my Father hath chastised you with scourges, but I will chastise you with scorpions. [i.e. with scourges that have sharp hooks out them, to prick, and to wound thorough, as the scorpions do. Others understand scourges made of Eglantine or other thorns, whereunto bondage is compared, with which the King is counselled to threaten his people.]

12. So Jerobeam and all the people came to Rehabeam the third day, according as the King had spoken, saying; come to me again the third day.

13. And the King answered the people hardly: for he forsook the counsel of the eldest, [See above v. 7.] which they had counselled him.

14. And he spake to them after the counsel of the young men, [See above verse 10 and 11.] saying; my father made your yoak heavy, but I will besides your yoak yet add thereunto: my father chastised you with scourges, but I will chastise you with scorpions.

15. So the King hearkened not unto the people: for this turning about [Or, going about, revolution : item, cause] was from the LORD, that he might confirm his word, which the LORD had spoken by the ministry [Heb. Hand. See Lev. 8. On v. 36.] of Ahia the Silonite unto Jerobeam the son of Nebat. [the meaning here is, that this act, passage, or dealing, whereby the state and condition of the land thus wheeled and turned about, happened according to the dispose of Gods providence, that he might execute his judgement which he had threatened to Salomon for his back-filling, yet so as that God in no wise contracted any person from men’s sinful acts or doings. See below v. 24. Item, Genesis 45:5, 7, 8. And 50. 20. Exodus 9:16. 2 Sam. 12. 12. 2 Chron. 25. 20.]

16. When all Israel saw, that the King hearkened not unto them, then the people returned answer to the King hearkened not saying, what portion have we in David? [Compare 2 Sam 20. 1. The meaning is, that they expected benefit or advantage by it. They speak by way of question, to deny it the stronger. See Gen. 18. On ver. 17.] yea (we have) no inheritance in the son of Isai; to your tents, O Israel ; [i.e. let every man return to his own home, and to those that be his] now see to thine own house, [i.e. let him take care of himself, and not of us, but let him take care of himself, and not of us, but let us alone] O David: [they mean the posterity of David, and those that were addicted to him, but called him out of scorn and disdain, the son of Isai] so Israel departed to their tents.

17. But as for the children of Israel, which dwelt in the Cities of Judah; [Understand by these, the tribes of Simeon, who were in part intermixed with the tribe of Judah, the Levites, and a part of the tribe of Benjamin, which lay by North-ward by the tribe of Judah. See above chapter 11. On v. 22. And compare below v. 23.] Rehabeam reigned also over them.

18. Rehabeam the King sent Adoram, who was over the tribute, [This man is he, who (according to the opinion of some) is also called Adoniram, above chapter 4. 6. And 5. 14. Of whom its said there, that he was over the Kings tribute, as is also affirmed here of this man; which office, made them that executed the same, to be odious and hateful unto the people; so that it was great imprudence to send such an one to pacify the Israelites] and all Israel stoned him with stones that he died: but King Rehabeam encouraged himself to get up into a charet, to flee to Jerusalem. [viz. Making haste to escape the danger.]

19. So the Israelites revolted from the house of David, [Oth. So the Israelites were rebellious, or disloyal against the house of David. So is the original word used in the like case, 2 Kin. 1. 1. And 3. 7. And 8. 22.] unto this day.

20. And it came to pass when all Israel heard that Jerobeam was come again, that they sent and called him with the assembly, [i.e. which the chief men of the tribes of Israel had commanded, to consult what they were to do in this division of the tribes, and case or condition of their land. Compare above the annotate. On ver. 1.] and made him King over all Israel, no man followed the house of David [Heb. No man was after the house of David] but the tribe of Juda only. [See ab. On v. 17.]

21. Now when Rehabeam was come to Jerusalem, he assembled all the house of Judah, and the tribe of Benjamin, [i.e. a part of the tribe; for Bethel and other Cities were with Jerobeam] an hundred and four score thousand chosen (men) practised in war, or well practised in warlike affairs, or skilful in waging war, able and experienced souldiers. So 2 Chron. 1. 11. And 26. 13.] to fight against the house of Israel, [i.e. the ten tribes, which were parted from Rehabeam, and the house of Judah, above v. 16. And 2 Chron. 10. Vers. 16.] to bring the Kingdom again to Rehabeam the son of Salomon. [i.e. to himself. See above chapter 2. On v. 19.]

22. But the word of God came to Semaja the man of God, [See of this Prophet also, 2 Chron. 12, 5, 15. He is to be distinguished from two false Prophets of this name: the one was the son of Delaja, Nehem. 6. 10. The other was surnamed the Nehelamite, Jerem. 29. 31.] saying;

23. Speak unto Rehabeam the son of Salomon, the King of Juda, and to all the house of Judah and Benjamin; and in Judah and Benjamin, 2 Chron. 11. 3.] saying;

24. Thus saith the LORD, ye shall not march up, nor fight against your brethren the children of Israel; let every man return to his (own) house, for this thing is happened from me: [See above on ver. 15.] and they hearkened to the word of LORD, and returned to depart according to the word of the LORD.

25. Now Jerebeam built Sichem [i.e. he strengthen and fenced it. See of the City above on v. 1.] on mount Ephraim, and dwelt therein, and went out from thence, and built Penuel. [a City lying beyond Jordan in the tribe of God. See Genesis 32:30.]

26. And Jerobeam said in his heart; [i.e. thought, conceived, imagined, judged: so Psal. 14. 2. And 36. 2. To say in his heart, is to purpose and conclude somewhat with himself, Psa. 74. V. 8.] now shall the Kingdom return to the house of David.

27. If this people shall go up to make offerings in the house of the LORD at Jerusalem, then shall the heart of this people turn again unto their Lord, unto Rehabeam the King of Judah: yea they shall kill me, and turn again unto Rehebeam the King of Judah: yea they shall kill me, and turn again unto Rehabeam the King of Judah.

28. Therefore the King held a counsel, et made two golden Calves: and he said unto them, it is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem, [i.e. it will be too troublesome, and too chargeable for you. Oth. Let it suffice you, that hitherto ye have gone up to Jerusalem, to bring your offerings thither. Henceforward it’s no more needful, seeing you have so fit an opportunity for it in your own land. Compare this phrase with Numb. 16. 2. 3.] Behold, thy Gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt. [He knew well enough that these golden calves were no Gods, and that the Israelites would so conceive of them: But his meaning is, that they should honour and serve the true God by these images, contrary to the express command of God, Exodus 20:4, 5. Deuteronomy 4:14, 15, 16, 17, etc. See the like offence, Exodus 32:4.]

29. And he set the one at Bethel, and he put the other at Dan. [i.e. at both the uttermost borders of his Kingdom, for Bethel lay in the South-border, and Dan in the North-border.]

30. And this thing became sin: [viz. Of idolatry which is called sin, by way of eminency, because it is directly opposite against the Majesty of God. Hence it’s often said of Jerobeam, that he made Israel to sin, 1 Kings 16, 19. Etc. See also 2 Kings 21. On vers. 16.] for the people went before the one unto Dan. [viz. To worship it, and to offer sacrifice unto it. And it seemeth hence, that the one Calf was first set up at Dan, and the other afterward at Bethel, as appeareth by the following 32 verse.]

31. He made also an house of the high places; [i.e. a Temple on the exalted place; were altars were reared, to commit idolatry thereon] and made Priests of the meanest of the people, [Heb. Of the ends, or uttermost parts of the people, i.e. of the meanest and most contemptible sort of the people, and not of the worthiest and ablest. Or understand it of both sorts of people, both high and low. Compare this phrase with Genesis 47:2. And see the annotate. Thereon.] which were not of the sons of Levi. [out of whom, especially out of the family of Aaron, the Priests according to Gods institution were to be chosen.]

32. And Jerobeam made a feast in the eighth month, on the fifiteenth day of the month, like unto the feast that was in Judah, [Namely, a feast of Leaf-huts, to imitate that which was so called in Judah: but he ordained this feast in the eighth month; that is, in October: whereas the feast of the Leaf-huts was according to God’s appointment to be kept in the seventh month, Levit. 23. 34. That is, in September, as it was then kept in Judah] and offered upon the altar; [viz. He himself offered. Compared chapter 13. V. 1. And 4. Which was unlawful for him to do, seeing this duty was enjoyed by God to the Priests only, Exodus 30:7, etc and 2 Chron. 26. 18.] the like he did at Bethel, offering to the Calves, which he had made, he placed also at Bethel Priests of the high places; which he had made.

33. And he offered upon the altar, which he had made at Bethel, on the fifteenth day of the eighth month; of the month which he had devised out of his (own) heart: [i.e. according to his own choice, taking upon him to institute and ordain such a worship as pleased himself, against the express command of the Lord, numb. 15. 39.] So he made a feast for the children of Israel, and offered upon that altar [viz. Jerobeam offered. Compare the first verse of the following chapter] burning incense. [i.e. that which he offered was incense: or, he offered and burnt incense together. Oth. And went up to that altar, to burn incense.]