Rehoboam, the king contributed to the division of Israel by

Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, contributed to the division of Israel by ignoring the counsel of the elders. When he became king, the people requested that he lighten the heavy yoke that his father had placed upon them. Rehoboam initially consulted with the older advisors, who suggested that he grant the people's request. However, he then turned to his younger advisors, who urged him to increase the burden on the people instead. Rehoboam followed their advice, and as a result, ten of the tribes of Israel rebelled against him and formed the northern kingdom of Israel, leaving Rehoboam with only the tribes of Judah and Benjamin in the southern kingdom of Judah.