1 Kings 12

1. Shechem. Shechem, in the tribe of Ephraim, was a meeting-place of the ten tribes as distinguished from Judah. It was afterwards fixed upon by Jeroboam as the capital of his kingdom. The people seem to have assembled without any design to revolt, but with a determination to obtain relief from the requirements of Solomon’s reign.

2 dwelt in Egypt. The Septuagint has the same reading here as in the parallel passage in 2 Chron. x. 2, namely, “Jeroboam returned out of Egypt.”

4 made our yoke grievous. In carrying on his great public works, Solomon had made his own people overseers and rulers, the heavier and servile work being done apparently by the Canaanites: see ix. 22. The reference is, no doubt, partly to the taxation laid upon the people for these public works, and for the maintenance of Solomon’s court and retinue.

6 that stood before Solomon. That is, as his chief officers and counsellors.

7. If thou wilt be a servant, etc. That is, “If thou wilt be compliant now for once, thou mayest be their master ever after.”

8 the young men, etc. It was the custom in some Eastern countries for the heir-apparent to be brought up with young men of rank, who might, on his accession, fill the chief civil and military offices. These young men were probably about Rehoboam’s age.

15 the cause was from the Lord. All the parties to these transactions, whilst following out their own purposes, were unintentionally accomplishing the designs of God: see Acts ii. 23.

17 which dwelt in the cities of Judah. That is, the priests and Levites, and persons belonging to other tribes residing in the cities of Judah, who were soon afterwards joined by many others: see 2 Chron. xi. 13-17.

18 and all Israel stoned him. Adoram, having been superintendent of the levies of money and of men which had been required for Solomon’s great works (iv. 6; v. 14), was probably the most unpopular man that the king could have sent.

20 the tribe of Judah only. Including part of the tribes of Benjamin and Simeon, which had been closely connected with Judah, and probably also a few towns in Dan. The close alliance between these tribes had been promoted by their mutual contiguity, and by the proximity of them all to the Temple; whilst Judah and Benjamin had a further bond of sympathy as being the two royal tribes, and sharing the honour and advantage of Jerusalem as the capital.

22. Shemaiah. See also 2 Chron. xii. 5, 7.

25 built Shechem, etc. Doubtless fortifying Shechem and Penuel in order to secure his new kingdom by a stronghold on the east as well as the west of Jordan.

26. Jeroboam said in his heart, etc. Though Jeroboam knew that he owed his elevation to God, and that, if he were faithful and obedient, his new kingdom was secured to him and to his family by the Divine promise, yet he chose to rely rather upon measures of worldly policy than upon the protection of Jehovah, disowning His authority and perverting His worship. But he found, as all will find who follow his example, that the very plans by which he hoped to secure his safety caused his ruin: see xiv. 7-16.

28 the king took counsel, etc. To effect his political object, Jeroboam not only violated the second commandment, but proceeded to set aside the Divine institutions with respect to the place, the ministers, the times, and the manner of worship. Although that which he introduced was a pretended worship of Jehovah under these symbols, and not that of heathen gods which was afterwards established by the dynasty of Omri (from which, indeed, it is always distinguished both in the history and in the prophets), yet he is called the man “who made Israel to sin” (2 Kings x. 29, etc.). The ten tribes, from this time to the subversion of the kingdom, were a nation of idolaters, although a few individuals, amidst great discouragement, adhered to the service of Jehovah, and His prophets were feared and respected even by the worst of their kings.

behold thy gods, O Israel, etc. These words are identical with those of the Israelites in the wilderness when Aaron made the golden calf, Exod. xxxii. 4; and, like those words, contain a bold defiance of Him who spoke by Moses. Like the Israelites, Jeroboam doubtless was led to the adoption of this form of worship by his residence in Egypt.

29. Beth-el . . . Dan. Beth-el and Dan were at the southern and northern extremities of the kingdom. Beth-el was, in consequence of this desecration, called by the prophets “Beth-aven,” i.e., house of vanity, or, of idols, instead of “Beth-el,” house of God (Amos i. 5; Hos. iv. 15; v. 8; x. 5,

8). At Dan, idolatry had been established at a former period (Judges xviii.).

31 of the lowest. i.e., from the people at large (see R.V.), as distinguished from the Levites, to whom alone, by Divine right, the priestly function belonged. This accounts for the statement in 2 Chron. xi. 13, 14.

32 the feast that is in Judah. i.e., probably the Feast of Tabernacles, which was to be observed on the fifteenth of the seventh month, the month being altered by the will of Jeroboam — “of his own heart,” v. 33.

33 he offered. Not satisfied with other innovations, Jeroboam acted as high priest, constituting himself the spiritual as well as temporal head of his kingdom.