(a) Give an account of the division of the kingdom of Israel. (b) What unwise policies of Solomon led to it?

Answer Details

(a) The division of the kingdom of Israel (1 Kings 11 and 12)

After the death of Solomon, his son Rehoboam went to Shechem, where all Israel had gathered to make him king. Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who had fled to Egypt from Solomon, was recalled, and he together with the assembly of Israel came to Rehoboam with a plea: "Your father made our yoke heavy. Now therefore lighten the hard service of your father and his heavy yoke upon us, and we will serve you." Rehoboam asked them to return after three days.

Rehoboam took counsel. The old men who had served Solomon advised him to be a servant to the people and speak good words to them, and they would serve him for ever. But Rehoboam rejected their advice and followed the counsel of the young men who had grown up with him. When the people returned, he answered harshly: "My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add to your yoke; my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions."

When Israel saw that the king would not listen, they said, "What portion have we in David? To your tents, O Israel!" So Israel departed. When Rehoboam sent Adoram, who was over the forced labour, the people stoned him to death, and Rehoboam fled to Jerusalem.

Thus the kingdom was divided: the ten northern tribes made Jeroboam king over Israel, while only the tribe of Judah (with Benjamin) remained loyal to the house of David under Rehoboam. This fulfilled the word which the LORD had spoken through the prophet Ahijah, that the kingdom would be torn from Solomon's house because of unfaithfulness, yet one tribe would be left for David's sake.

(b) Unwise policies of Solomon that led to the division

1. Idolatry - influenced by his many foreign wives, Solomon turned to the worship of foreign gods and built high places for them, provoking the LORD's anger.
2. Heavy taxation - he imposed a burdensome system of taxes on the people to maintain his lavish court and building projects.
3. Forced labour - he conscripted his subjects into hard forced labour for his many building works, embittering the northern tribes.
4. Extravagance and love of luxury - his enormous expenditure on his palace, harem and grandeur placed an unbearable strain on the people.