When all Israel heard that Jeroboam had returned, they summoned him to the assembly and made him king over all Israel. Only the tribe of Judah followed the house of David. When all Israel heardThe phrase "all Israel" refers to the collective tribes of Israel, excluding Judah. This highlights the unity among the northern tribes in their decision-making process. Historically, this moment marks a significant shift in the political landscape of Israel, as the nation is on the brink of division. The Hebrew root for "heard" (שָׁמַע, shama) implies not just the act of hearing but also understanding and responding, indicating that the tribes were not only aware of Jeroboam's return but were also moved to action. that Jeroboam had returned
Jeroboam's return is pivotal. He had fled to Egypt to escape King Solomon's wrath (1 Kings 11:40). His return signifies a fulfillment of the prophecy given by the prophet Ahijah (1 Kings 11:29-31), where Jeroboam was promised rulership over ten tribes. The historical context here is crucial, as Jeroboam's return from Egypt symbolizes a new beginning and a challenge to the Davidic line, which had ruled a united Israel. they summoned him to the assembly
The act of summoning Jeroboam to the assembly indicates a formal and collective decision by the tribes. The Hebrew word for "assembly" (קָהָל, qahal) often refers to a gathering for a significant purpose, such as making a covenant or decision. This assembly marks a critical moment of political reorganization, as the tribes seek leadership that aligns with their interests, separate from the house of David. and made him king over all Israel
This phrase marks the official recognition of Jeroboam as king by the northern tribes. The act of making him king is a fulfillment of God's word through Ahijah, demonstrating God's sovereignty in the affairs of nations. Theologically, this moment underscores the theme of divine providence and the consequences of Solomon's disobedience, which led to the division of the kingdom. Only the tribe of Judah followed the house of David
The word "only" emphasizes the isolation of Judah in its loyalty to the Davidic line. Historically, this division sets the stage for the separate kingdoms of Israel (the northern kingdom) and Judah (the southern kingdom). The tribe of Judah's loyalty to the house of David is significant, as it preserves the Davidic covenant, which is central to biblical prophecy and the lineage of Jesus Christ. Theologically, this division serves as a reminder of the importance of faithfulness to God's promises and the enduring nature of His covenant with David. Persons / Places / Events 1. JeroboamInitially a servant of Solomon, Jeroboam was chosen by God to rule over the ten tribes of Israel after Solomon's reign. His return and subsequent anointing as king marked a significant division in the kingdom. 2. RehoboamThe son of Solomon, Rehoboam was the king of Judah. His harsh policies led to the division of the united kingdom of Israel. 3. IsraelRefers to the northern kingdom consisting of ten tribes that rejected Rehoboam's rule and accepted Jeroboam as their king. 4. JudahThe southern kingdom, which remained loyal to the house of David and Rehoboam. It included the tribes of Judah and Benjamin. 5. Assembly of IsraelThe gathering of the northern tribes that decided to make Jeroboam their king, signifying a major political and spiritual shift. Teaching Points The Consequences of Leadership DecisionsRehoboam's failure to listen to wise counsel led to the division of the kingdom. Leaders must seek and heed godly wisdom to avoid division and strife. God's Sovereignty in Human AffairsDespite human actions, God's sovereign plan unfolds. The division of the kingdom was part of God's judgment and plan, as prophesied by Ahijah. The Importance of Unity Among God's PeopleThe division of Israel serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of disunity. Believers are called to strive for unity in the body of Christ. Faithfulness to God's CovenantThe tribe of Judah's loyalty to the house of David highlights the importance of faithfulness to God's covenant promises, even when others turn away. Bible Study Questions 1. What leadership qualities did Jeroboam and Rehoboam exhibit, and how did these impact the kingdom of Israel? 2. How does the division of Israel into two kingdoms reflect the consequences of ignoring godly counsel? Can you think of a New Testament example where seeking godly wisdom is emphasized? 3. In what ways does the account of Jeroboam's rise to power demonstrate God's sovereignty, and how can this understanding impact our trust in God's plan for our lives? 4. How can the division of Israel serve as a warning to the modern church about the dangers of disunity? What New Testament teachings support the call for unity among believers? 5. Reflect on the faithfulness of the tribe of Judah to the house of David. How can we apply this principle of faithfulness to our own lives and commitments to God's promises? Connections to Other Scriptures 1 Kings 11:29-31This passage describes the prophecy of Ahijah the Shilonite, who foretold that Jeroboam would rule over ten tribes of Israel, setting the stage for the events in 1 Kings 12:20. 2 Chronicles 10:16-19Provides a parallel account of the division of the kingdom, emphasizing the people's rejection of Rehoboam's leadership. Deuteronomy 17:14-20Offers guidelines for kingship in Israel, which both Jeroboam and Rehoboam failed to fully adhere to, leading to the division. People Adoniram, Adoram, Ahijah, Benjamin, Dan, David, Israelites, Jeroboam, Jesse, Levi, Levites, Nebat, Penuel, Rehoboam, Shemaiah, SolomonPlaces Bethel, Dan, Egypt, Jerusalem, Penuel, ShechemTopics Alone, Assembly, Cause, Company, Congregation, David, Family, Followed, Hearing, Israel's, Jeroboam, Jerobo'am, Joined, Judah, Loyal, Meeting, News, None, Pass, Reign, Returned, Save, TribeDictionary of Bible Themes 1 Kings 12:20 8304 loyalty 1 Kings 12:1-24 5366 king
7245 Judah, kingdom of Library How to Split a Kingdom
And Rehoboam went to Shechem: for all Israel were come to Shechem to make him king. 2. And it came to pass, when Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who was yet in Egypt, heard of it (for he was fled from the presence of king Solomon, and Jeroboam dwelt in Egypt); 3. That they sent and called him. And Jeroboam and all the congregation of Israel came, and spake unto Rehoboam, saying, 4. Thy father made our yoke grievous: now therefore make thou the grievous service of thy father, and his heavy yoke which he …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScripturePolitical Religion
'Then Jeroboam built Shechera in mount Ephraim, and dwelt therein; and went out from thence, and built Penuel. 26. And Jeroboam said in his heart, Now shall the kingdom return to the house of David: 27. If this people go up to do sacrifice in the house of the Lord at Jerusalem, then shall the heart of this people turn again unto their lord, even unto Rehoboam king of Judah, and they shall kill me, and go again to Rehoboam king of Judah. 28. Whereupon the king took counsel, and made two calves of …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture "This Thing is from Me"
"Thus saith the Lord, Ye shall not go up, nor fight against your brethren the children of Israel: return every man to his house; for this thing is from me."--1 Kings 12:24. IT IS VERY DELIGHTFUL to read a history in which God is made prominent. How sadly deficient we are of such histories of our own English nation! Yet surely there is no story that is more full of God than the record of the doings of our British race. Cowper, in one of his poems, shows the parallel between us and the house of Israel, …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 42: 1896 The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
THE ISRAELITES IN THE LAND OF CANAAN: THE JUDGES--THE PHILISTINES AND THE HEBREW KINGDOM--SAUL, DAVID, SOLOMON, THE DEFECTION OF THE TEN TRIBES--THE XXIst EGYPTIAN DYNASTY--SHESHONQ OR SHISHAK DAMASCUS. The Hebrews in the desert: their families, clans, and tribes--The Amorites and the Hebrews on the left bank of the Jordan--The conquest of Canaan and the native reaction against the Hebrews--The judges, Ehud, Deborah, Jerubbaal or Gideon and the Manassite supremacy; Abimelech, Jephihdh. The Philistines, …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 6 How God Works in the Hearts of Men.
1. Connection of this chapter with the preceding. Augustine's similitude of a good and bad rider. Question answered in respect to the devil. 2. Question answered in respect to God and man. Example from the history of Job. The works of God distinguished from the works of Satan and wicked men. 1. By the design or end of acting. How Satan acts in the reprobate. 2. How God acts in them. 3. Old Objection, that the agency of God in such cases is referable to prescience or permission, not actual operation. …
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion Use to be Made of the Doctrine of Providence.
Sections. 1. Summary of the doctrine of Divine Providence. 1. It embraces the future and the past. 2. It works by means, without means, and against means. 3. Mankind, and particularly the Church, the object of special care. 4. The mode of administration usually secret, but always just. This last point more fully considered. 2. The profane denial that the world is governed by the secret counsel of God, refuted by passages of Scripture. Salutary counsel. 3. This doctrine, as to the secret counsel of …
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion The Upbringing of Jewish Children
The tenderness of the bond which united Jewish parents to their children appears even in the multiplicity and pictorialness of the expressions by which the various stages of child-life are designated in the Hebrew. Besides such general words as "ben" and "bath"--"son" and "daughter"--we find no fewer than nine different terms, each depicting a fresh stage of life. The first of these simply designates the babe as the newly--"born"--the "jeled," or, in the feminine, "jaldah"--as in Exodus 2:3, 6, 8. …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life The Instrumentality of the Wicked Employed by God, While He Continues Free from Every Taint.
1. The carnal mind the source of the objections which are raised against the Providence of God. A primary objection, making a distinction between the permission and the will of God, refuted. Angels and men, good and bad, do nought but what has been decreed by God. This proved by examples. 2. All hidden movements directed to their end by the unseen but righteous instigation of God. Examples, with answers to objections. 3. These objections originate in a spirit of pride and blasphemy. Objection, that …
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion The Twelve Minor Prophets.
1. By the Jewish arrangement, which places together the twelve minor prophets in a single volume, the chronological order of the prophets as a whole is broken up. The three greater prophets, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel, stand in the true order of time. Daniel began to prophesy before Ezekiel, but continued, many years after him. The Jewish arrangement of the twelve minor prophets is in a sense chronological; that is, they put the earlier prophets at the beginning, and the later at the end of the …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible Of Civil Government.
OF CIVIL GOVERNMENT. This chapter consists of two principal heads,--I. General discourse on the necessity, dignity, and use of Civil Government, in opposition to the frantic proceedings of the Anabaptists, sec. 1-3. II. A special exposition of the three leading parts of which Civil Government consists, sec. 4-32. The first part treats of the function of Magistrates, whose authority and calling is proved, sec. 4-7. Next, the three Forms of civil government are added, sec. 8. Thirdly, Consideration …
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion Travelling in Palestine --Roads, Inns, Hospitality, Custom-House Officers, Taxation, Publicans
It was the very busiest road in Palestine, on which the publican Levi Matthew sat at the receipt of "custom," when our Lord called him to the fellowship of the Gospel, and he then made that great feast to which he invited his fellow-publicans, that they also might see and hear Him in Whom he had found life and peace (Luke 5:29). For, it was the only truly international road of all those which passed through Palestine; indeed, it formed one of the great highways of the world's commerce. At the time …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life The Figurative Language of Scripture.
1. When the psalmist says: "The Lord God is a sun and shield" (Psa. 84:11), he means that God is to all his creatures the source of life and blessedness, and their almighty protector; but this meaning he conveys under the figure of a sun and a shield. When, again, the apostle James says that Moses is read in the synagogues every Sabbath-day (Acts 15:21), he signifies the writings of Moses under the figure of his name. In these examples the figure lies in particular words. But it may be embodied …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible Kings
The book[1] of Kings is strikingly unlike any modern historical narrative. Its comparative brevity, its curious perspective, and-with some brilliant exceptions--its relative monotony, are obvious to the most cursory perusal, and to understand these things is, in large measure, to understand the book. It covers a period of no less than four centuries. Beginning with the death of David and the accession of Solomon (1 Kings i., ii.) it traverses his reign with considerable fulness (1 Kings iii.-xi.), …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links 1 Kings 12:20 NIV1 Kings 12:20 NLT1 Kings 12:20 ESV1 Kings 12:20 NASB1 Kings 12:20 KJV
1 Kings 12:20 Commentaries
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