Workers For Jesus Online Bible Study Table of Contents

About this Bible Study........The King James Version of the Bible is written in a beautiful form of the English language. It can be hard for modern English readers to understand.  In this study, you will find notes and summaries in brown just above the the verses from the Bible. We recommend that you read the notes and summaries first, and then read the verses in their KJV form. 


The Books of 1 Kings and 2 Kings

The books of 1 Kings and 2 Kings were originally one book. They were probably separated into 2 books so they would be easier to copy by hand.

1 Kings and 2 Kings were written 561 - 538 years before Jesus Christ was born. They cover David's death, David's son, Solomon, and his time as king, the kings after Solomon, and the other groups of people who came and carried the Israelites away to other countries.

The books were written for 2 reasons:
1. To review the history for the exiles (the Israelites who lived in other countries).
2. To show the exiles why they were carried away.
 


Bible Timeline
 
Here is a good timeline to see the book of 1 Kings in the history of the Bible
http://www.sundayschoolresources.com/timeline.htm


 


1 Kings 10 - 12

The Queen of Sheba visits Solomon.
Solomon sins, and God says he will take the kingdom away from his son.
Israel divides into 2 parts and has 2 kings.
 



1 Kings 10

The Queen of Sheba visits Solomon.

Sheba may have been an area around the country of Ethiopia. Some people feel it was more around the country of Yemen or Saudi Arabia. 
 

 

 

This is a fresco (paint on plaster) from the country of Ethiopia. It shows the Queen of Sheba traveling to visit King Solomon.

Picture from Wikipedia

 

The queen of the area named Sheba heard about God and Solomon. She came to visit him. She wanted to ask him hard questions to prove he was very smart.
[1] And when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the LORD, she came to prove him with hard questions.


The queen arrived with many camels and workers.  The camels were carrying valuable things--gold, jewels, and spices. The queen talked to Solomon a lot and asked him many questions. Solomon answered all of her questions.
[2] And she came to Jerusalem with a very great train, with camels that bare spices, and very much gold, and precious stones: and when she was come to Solomon, she communed with him of all that was in her heart.
[3] And Solomon told her all her questions: there was not any thing hid from the king, which he told her not.
 

The Queen of Sheba saw the temple, the steps up to the temple, Solomon's house, his food, his workers, his officers, and his officers' special clothes or uniforms. She was amazed.
[4] And when the queen of Sheba had seen all Solomon's wisdom, and the house that he had built,
[5] And the meat of his table, and the sitting of his servants, and the attendance of his ministers, and their apparel, and his cupbearers, and his ascent by which he went up unto the house of the LORD; there was no more spirit in her.
 


The queen said that everything she heard about Solomon was true. When she heard about him being very smart and the good things he did, she didn't believe it. She wanted to come and see for herself.  Now she has seen him for herself. She knew it was true. He was twice as smart and rich as she heard.
[6] And she said to the king, It was a true report that I heard in mine own land of thy acts and of thy wisdom.
[7] Howbeit I believed not the words, until I came, and mine eyes had seen it: and, behold, the half was not told me: thy wisdom and prosperity exceedeth the fame which I heard.


She said that Solomon's people and workers are happy. They are always near Solomon and hear how smart he is.  She said that God was blessed. He made Solomon the king because He loves Israel forever. He gave Israel a king who is smart and fair.
[8] Happy are thy men, happy are these thy servants, which stand continually before thee, and that hear thy wisdom.
[9] Blessed be the LORD thy God, which delighted in thee, to set thee on the throne of Israel: because the LORD loved Israel for ever, therefore made he thee king, to do judgment and justice.


The queen gave Solomon valuable items--120 talents of gold (about 5 tons), spices, and jewelry.  No one ever gave as much spice as the Queen of Sheba gave to Solomon.
[10] And she gave the king an hundred and twenty talents of gold, and of spices very great store, and precious stones: there came no more such abundance of spices as these which the queen of Sheba gave to king Solomon.

 

People who study the Bible are not sure about the almug trees. Later in the Bible, there are algum trees. These were probably the same, but no one knows exactly what kind of trees they were.

Hiram's navy brought gold, almug trees, and jewelry from the area of Ophir.  Solomon used the almug trees to make pillars (tall columns, poles) for the temple, harps, and musical instruments.
[11] And the navy also of Hiram, that brought gold from Ophir, brought in from Ophir great plenty of almug trees, and precious stones.
[12] And the king made of the almug trees pillars for the house of the LORD, and for the king's house, harps also and psalteries for singers: there came no such almug trees, nor were seen unto this day.



King Solomon gave the Queen of Sheba many gifts. He also gave her all of the extra things that she asked for. Then she and her workers left Israel and went back to their country. 
[13] And king Solomon gave unto the queen of Sheba all her desire, whatsoever she asked, beside that which Solomon gave her of his royal bounty. So she turned and went to her own country, she and her servants.

 



A list of Solomon's wealth (money and other things).


Solomon got about 250 tons of gold a year.

[14] Now the weight of gold that came to Solomon in one year was six hundred threescore and six talents of gold.


He also collected money from merchants (people selling things),  people selling spices, the kings of Arabia, and other leaders.
[15] Beside that he had of the merchantmen, and of the traffick of the spice merchants, and of all the kings of Arabia, and of the governors of the country.

 

Soldiers holding shields
From
Christian Computer Art

Solomon made 200 targets (large shields). Each one weighed about 7 pounds. He also made 300 smaller shields.  The smaller shields weighed about 4 pounds. He kept the shields at a place in the forest area of Lebanon.
[16] And king Solomon made two hundred targets of beaten gold: six hundred shekels of gold went to one target.
[17] And he made three hundred shields of beaten gold; three pound of gold went to one shield: and the king put them in the house of the forest of Lebanon.


Solomon made a big throne ( king's chair). He made it with ivory and put gold over the ivory.
[18] Moreover the king made a great throne of ivory, and overlaid it with the best gold.


The back of the throne was rounded. Each side had an armrest. There was a lion next to each armrest. There were 6 steps going up to the throne. There were 12 lions on the steps. There were two lions on each step -- one lion on each side.
[19] The throne had six steps, and the top of the throne was round behind: and there were stays on either side on the place of the seat, and two lions stood beside the stays.
[20] And twelve lions stood there on the one side and on the other upon the six steps: there was not the like made in any kingdom.

Solomon sitting on his throne.
Image from
Wikipedia.


All of King Solomon's drinking cups were gold.  The cups in his house in the forest area of Lebanon were gold, too. None of the cups were made of silver. At that time, silver was not valuable.
[21] And all king Solomon's drinking vessels were of gold, and all the vessels of the house of the forest of Lebanon were of pure gold; none were of silver: it was nothing accounted of in the days of Solomon.
 

A male peacock.
Image from
PeacockLearningZone.com

Solomon had a navy at a place on the sea named Tharshish.  Every three years, Solomon's navy went with Hiram's navy. They sailed to other places far away. They brought back gold, silver, ivory, apes (monkeys), and peacocks.
[22] For the king had at sea a navy of Tharshish with the navy of Hiram: once in three years came the navy of Tharshish, bringing gold, and silver, ivory, and apes, and peacocks.





Solomon was richer and smarter than any other king on the earth.
[23] So king Solomon exceeded all the kings of the earth for riches and for wisdom.


People all over the earth came to see Solomon and listen to the wise things he said. God gave Solomon great wisdom.
[24] And all the earth sought to Solomon, to hear his wisdom, which God had put in his heart.


Everyone brought gifts to Solomon. They brought him things made of gold and silver, clothes, armour (strong clothes for the soldiers), spices, horses, and mules. They brought them every year.
[25] And they brought every man his present, vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, and garments, and armour, and spices, horses, and mules, a rate year by year.


Solomon had many chariots and soldiers who rode horses. He had 1,400 chariots and 12,000 soldiers who rode horses. He kept the chariots and horse soldiers in Jerusalem and other cities.
[26] And Solomon gathered together chariots and horsemen: and he had a thousand and four hundred chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen, whom he bestowed in the cities for chariots, and with the king at Jerusalem.


Solomon had a lot of silver in Jerusalem. It was as common as rocks.  There was also many cedar trees.  They were as common as sycamore trees.
[27] And the king made silver to be in Jerusalem as stones, and cedars made he to be as the sycomore trees that are in the vale, for abundance.


Solomon's helpers bought expensive linen yarn, horses, and chariots in Egypt. Each chariot cost 600 shekels of silver (about 15 pounds). Each horse cost 150 shekels of silver (about 4 pounds). Solomon's workers also sold horses and chariots to the kings in the place named Syria and to the kings of the Hittite people.
[28] And Solomon had horses brought out of Egypt, and linen yarn: the king's merchants received the linen yarn at a price.
[29] And a chariot came up and went out of Egypt for six hundred shekels of silver, and an horse for an hundred and fifty: and so for all the kings of the Hittites, and for the kings of Syria, did they bring them out by their means.
 



1 Kings 11


Solomon sins, and God says he will take the kingdom away from his son.



God's law said that Israelites should not marry people who were not Israelites. God said that people from other groups worshiped false gods. If Israelites married them, the Israelites might turn away from God. They might start to worship false gods, too. But Solomon loved many women who were not Israelites. He loved Pharaoh's daughter, women from the areas of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, and the Hittites.
[1] But king Solomon loved many strange women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, and Hittites;
[2] Of the nations concerning which the LORD said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall not go in to them, neither shall they come in unto you: for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods: Solomon clave unto these in love.


Solomon had 700 wives and princesses. He had 300 concubines (mistresses, not married). They caused Solomon to turn away from God.
[3] And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines: and his wives turned away his heart.


Solomon's father, David, never worshiped false gods. His heart was always for God. When Solomon became old, his heart was not with God like  David's heart was. His wives turned his heart to their false gods.
[4] For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father.


Solomon worshiped the false gods named Ashtoreth and Milcom. Ashtoreth was the false god of the group of people called the Zidonians. Milcom was the false god of the group of people called the Ammonites.
[5] For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites.
 

Solomon's father, David, never worshiped false gods. But Solomon worshiped the false gods and did not obey God.
[6] And Solomon did evil in the sight of the LORD, and went not fully after the LORD, as did David his father.


Solomon built a worship place for the false gods named Chemosh and Molech. He built the worship place on a hill near Jerusalem. Chemosh was a false god of the Moabite people. Molech was a false god of the Ammonite people.
[7] Then did Solomon build an high place for Chemosh, the abomination of Moab, in the hill that is before Jerusalem, and for Molech, the abomination of the children of Ammon.


The built worship places for the false gods of his other wives, too. They burned incense and made sacrifices to their false gods.
[8] And likewise did he for all his strange wives, which burnt incense and sacrificed unto their gods.


God was very angry with Solomon because Solomon was worshiping false gods. In the past, God talked to Solomon 2 times. He warned him that he should never worship false gods.  But Solomon did not obey God.
[9] And the LORD was angry with Solomon, because his heart was turned from the LORD God of Israel, which had appeared unto him twice,
[10] And had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods: but he kept not that which the LORD commanded.


Now God talked to Solomon again. God said that Solomon did not obey His rules. He worshiped false gods.  Now God will take Israel away from Solomon. He will give the kingdom to one of the people under him. But this will not happen while Solomon is alive. God will wait until Solomon dies because David was Solomon's father.  Solomon's son will lose the kingdom, but he will keep a little kingdom. He will be king over the land of one tribe only. He will be king over the land where Jerusalem is located.  He will let Solomon's son keep a small kingdom with Jerusalem in it because he is David's grandson. God chose Jerusalem to be His city.
[11] Wherefore the LORD said unto Solomon, Forasmuch as this is done of thee, and thou hast not kept my covenant and my statutes, which I have commanded thee, I will surely rend the kingdom from thee, and will give it to thy servant.
[12] Notwithstanding in thy days I will not do it for David thy father's sake: but I will rend it out of the hand of thy son.
[13] Howbeit I will not rend away all the kingdom; but will give one tribe to thy son for David my servant's sake, and for Jerusalem's sake which I have chosen.

 



The history of Solomon's enemy, Hadad.

 

Edom was south of Israel. It was in the country now called Jordan.

God made an enemy against Solomon. His name was Hadad.  He was from the group of people called the Edomites.  He was one of the king of Edom's sons.
[14] And the LORD stirred up an adversary unto Solomon, Hadad the Edomite: he was of the king's seed in Edom.


Back in the book of 2 Samuel 8, David was in the area of Edom. He set up forts and put his army in Edom. Joab was one of David's captains. Joab stayed in Edom with Israel's army for 6 months. He was helping to bury the people who were killed in the war. The Israelites killed every male who lived in Edom.
[15] For it came to pass, when David was in Edom, and Joab the captain of the host was gone up to bury the slain, after he had smitten every male in Edom;
[16] (For six months did Joab remain there with all Israel, until he had cut off every male in Edom:)


Hadad was a little child when this happened. Some of his father's workers escaped and took him with them. They first went to the area named Midian. Then they went to the area named Paran.  Some men in Paran went with them. Then, they went to Egypt. Pharaoh gave him a house, food, and land.
[17] That Hadad fled, he and certain Edomites of his father's servants with him, to go into Egypt; Hadad being yet a little child.
[18] And they arose out of Midian, and came to Paran: and they took men with them out of Paran, and they came to Egypt, unto Pharaoh king of Egypt; which gave him an house, and appointed him victuals, and gave him land.


Pharaoh liked Hadad.  He let Hadad marry his sister-in-law (the sister of the queen named Tahpenes).  Hadad and Tahpenes' sister had a baby boy named Genubath.  Genubath grew up in Pharoah's house with Pharaoh's sons.
[19] And Hadad found great favour in the sight of Pharaoh, so that he gave him to wife the sister of his own wife, the sister of Tahpenes the queen.
[20] And the sister of Tahpenes bare him Genubath his son, whom Tahpenes weaned in Pharaoh's house: and Genubath was in Pharaoh's household among the sons of Pharaoh.


When Hadad heard that both David and Joab were dead, he wanted to go home to Edom. He asked Pharaoh if he could leave Egypt.
[21] And when Hadad heard in Egypt that David slept with his fathers, and that Joab the captain of the host was dead, Hadad said to Pharaoh, Let me depart, that I may go to mine own country.


Pharaoh asked Hadad why he wanted to leave. He asked him what else he needed.  Hadad said that he didn't need anything, but he wanted to go home to Edom anyway.
[22] Then Pharaoh said unto him, But what hast thou lacked with me, that, behold, thou seekest to go to thine own country? And he answered, Nothing: howbeit let me go in any wise.


 



The history of Solomon's enemy, Rezon.


Rezon lived in the area of Zobah.  When David was having a war with the king of Zobah (his name was Hadadezer), Rezon escaped. He and some other men from Zobah made a gang. They went to the city of Damascus in the area of Syria. He became the leader of Damascus.
[23] And God stirred him up another adversary, Rezon the son of Eliadah, which fled from his lord Hadadezer king of Zobah:
[24] And he gathered men unto him, and became captain over a band, when David slew them of Zobah: and they went to Damascus, and dwelt therein, and reigned in Damascus.


Rezon was an enemy to Israel while Solomon was living. He and Hadad hated Israel. They did bad things to make trouble for Israel.
[25] And he was an adversary to Israel all the days of Solomon, beside the mischief that Hadad did: and he abhorred Israel, and reigned over Syria.

 



The history of Solomon's enemy, Jeroboam


Jeroboam was from the tribe of Ephraim. His father's name was Nebat, and his mother's name was Zeruah. His mother was a widow. Jeroboam became an enemy of Solomon.

[26] And Jeroboam the son of Nebat, an Ephrathite of Zereda, Solomon's servant, whose mother's name was Zeruah, a widow woman, even he lifted up his hand against the king.


This is how Jeroboam became an enemy of Solomon.  Solomon had men working in Jerusalem. They were building the place named Millo and fixing city walls. Solomon saw Jeroboam working. He noticed that Jeroboam was working hard.  Solomon put Jeroboam in charge of the workers from the tribes of Manasseh and Ephraim.
[27] And this was the cause that he lifted up his hand against the king: Solomon built Millo, and repaired the breaches of the city of David his father.
[28] And the man Jeroboam was a mighty man of valour: and Solomon seeing the young man that he was industrious, he made him ruler over all the charge of the house of Joseph.


One day when Jeroboam was leaving Jerusalem,  a prophet named Ahijah talked to him. Ahijah was from the area of Shiloh. They were alone out in a field talking.  Ahijah was wearing a new robe. Then he tore the new robe into 12 pieces.
[29] And it came to pass at that time when Jeroboam went out of Jerusalem, that the prophet Ahijah the Shilonite found him in the way; and he had clad himself with a new garment; and they two were alone in the field:
[30] And Ahijah caught the new garment that was on him, and rent it in twelve pieces:


Ahijah said that Jeroboam should take 10 pieces of the robe. God said that He will take Israel away from Solomon. He will give the land of 10 tribes to Jeroboam. David's grandson will be able to keep 1 part of Israel. He will keep the land that has Jerusalem. Jerusalem is the city that God chose.
[31] And he said to Jeroboam, Take thee ten pieces: for thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel, Behold, I will rend the kingdom out of the hand of Solomon, and will give ten tribes to thee:
[32] (But he shall have one tribe for my servant David's sake, and for Jerusalem's sake, the city which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel:)


God said He will take the land of 10 tribes away from Solomon and his descendants. He will take it because Solomon and the Israelites worshiped the false gods Ashtoreth (the false god of the Zidonians), Chemosh (the false god of the Moabites), and Milcom (the false god of Ammon).  They have not obeyed God's rules like David did.
[33] Because that they have forsaken me, and have worshipped Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, Chemosh the god of the Moabites, and Milcom the god of the children of Ammon, and have not walked in my ways, to do that which is right in mine eyes, and to keep my statutes and my judgments, as did David his father.


But God said He will not take the whole kingdom away from Solomon and his descendants.  Solomon will continue to be king while he is alive. God will let him continue because he is David's son. God chose David to be the king, and David obeyed God's laws.
[34] Howbeit I will not take the whole kingdom out of his hand: but I will make him prince all the days of his life for David my servant's sake, whom I chose, because he kept my commandments and my statutes:
[35] But I will take the kingdom out of his son's hand, and will give it unto thee, even ten tribes.

 

 

To read a good explanation about the tribes of Israel, please click here.

 

God will give Solomon's son the land of 1 tribe.  He will have the land around Jerusalem. God chose Jerusalem for His city. His name is there. David's descendants will always be king in Jerusalem.
[36] And unto his son will I give one tribe, that David my servant may have a light alway before me in Jerusalem, the city which I have chosen me to put my name there.



God will make Jeroboam the king of Israel. If Jeroboam obeys God's laws and does what God says, God will help him. God will let Jeroboam's descendants be kings the same as David's descendants will be kings.
[37] And I will take thee, and thou shalt reign according to all that thy soul desireth, and shalt be king over Israel.
[38] And it shall be, if thou wilt hearken unto all that I command thee, and wilt walk in my ways, and do that is right in my sight, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as David my servant did; that I will be with thee, and build thee a sure house, as I built for David, and will give Israel unto thee.


God will punish David's descendants, but He won't punish them forever.
[39] And I will for this afflict the seed of David, but not for ever.


Solomon found out about God's promise to Jeroboam. Then Solomon tried to kill Jeroboam. Jeroboam escaped to Egypt.  King Shishak in Egypt helped him. He stayed there until Solomon died.
[40] Solomon sought therefore to kill Jeroboam. And Jeroboam arose, and fled into Egypt, unto Shishak king of Egypt, and was in Egypt until the death of Solomon.

 



The death of Solomon.

 

The Bible sometimes refers to other books. But these other books cannot be found now in modern times.  Verse 41 refers to a book named "The Acts of Solomon". No one knows for sure what this book said. No one can find the book now.

There is more information about Solomon in the book named "The Acts of Solomon". That book tells everything else that Solomon did and tells more about his wisdom.
[41] And the rest of the acts of Solomon, and all that he did, and his wisdom, are they not written in the book of the acts of Solomon?


Solomon was the king of Israel for 40 years.

[42] And the time that Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel was forty years.


Solomon died. He was buried in his father David's city of Jerusalem. Then Solomon's son, Rehoboam, became the king.
[43] And Solomon slept with his fathers, and was buried in the city of David his father: and Rehoboam his son reigned in his stead.

 



1 Kings 12


Israel divides into 2 parts and has 2 kings.


Shechem


Mt. Gerizim is on the left, and Mt. Ebal is on the right. 

The place in the middle was called Shechem. Now it is the modern city of Nablus.  

Many things happened at Shechem.  Shechem is the place where God talked to Abraham.  God promised Abraham that He would give this land to Abraham and his descendants.

Shechem is also where Jacob and his family lived for a while. 


Picture from BiblePlaces.com


Rehoboam went to the city named Shechem. All of the Israelites went to Shechem to make Rehoboam the new king.
[1] And Rehoboam went to Shechem: for all Israel were come to Shechem to make him king.


Jeroboam was in Egypt (Jeroboam's father's name was Nebat).  He escaped to Egypt when Solomon was the king. Jeroboam heard that Solomon died. 
[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;)


Some of the Israelites asked Jeroboam to come to Shechem. When he arrived in Shechem, Jeroboam talked to Rehoboam.  He said that the Israelites worked hard and paid big taxes when Solomon was the king.  He asked Rehoboam to make life easier for the Israelites. He said that if Rehoboam was easier on the Israelites, they would help him.
[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 put upon us, lighter, and we will serve thee.


Rehoboam told them to leave for 3 days and then come back. So Jeroboam and the other Israelites left.
[5] And he said unto them, Depart yet for three days, then come again to me. And the people departed.


King Rehoboam talked with the old men who helped his father, Solomon.  He asked them how he should answer Jeroboam.
[6] And king Rehoboam consulted with the old men, that stood before Solomon his father while he yet lived, and said, How do ye advise that I may answer this people?


The old men said that Rehoboam should say good things to Jeroboam and the other Israelites. He should be humble and try to serve the Israelites. If he does that, the  Israelites will serve him forever.
[7] And they spake unto him, saying, If thou wilt be a servant unto this people this day, and wilt serve them, and answer them, and speak good words to them, then they will be thy servants for ever.


But Rehoboam did not take the advice of the old men. He asked his young friends for their advice. He asked them how to answer Jeroboam. Jeroboam wants him to make life easier for the Israelites.
[8] But he forsook the counsel of the old men, which they had given him, and consulted with the young men that were grown up with him, and which stood before him:
[9] And he said unto them, What counsel give ye that we may answer this people, who have spoken to me, saying, Make the yoke which thy father did put upon us lighter?


Rehoboam's young friends gave their advice. They said he should not be easier on them. He should be harder. He should say that Solomon used whips on them, but he will use sharper whips.
[10] And the young men that were grown up with him spake unto him, saying, Thus shalt thou speak unto this people that spake unto thee, saying, Thy father made our yoke heavy, but make thou it lighter unto us; thus shalt thou say unto them, My little finger shall be thicker than my father's loins.
[11] And now whereas my father did lade you with a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke: my father hath chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.


After 3 days, Jeroboam and the other Israelites came back to Rehoboam.  Rehoboam talked to them badly. He did not take the old men's advice. He took the young friends' advice.  He told the Israelites that he will make their lives harder than Solomon did.
[12] So Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam the third day, as the king had appointed, saying, Come to me again the third day.
[13] And the king answered the people roughly, and forsook the old men's counsel that they gave him;
[14] And spake to them after the counsel of the young men, saying, My father made your yoke heavy, and I will add to your yoke: my father also chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.


 

Jeroboam was king over the green part-- Israel.  Rehoboam was king over the orange part--Judah.

This image in the public domain taken from 1888 American Bible Society publication, available freely at: http://www.sacred-texts.com/bib/maps/bmap00.htm

God's plan was for the people to turn away from Rehoboam. So King Rehoboam did not listen to the people. God had told the prophet Ahijah to tell Jeroboam about His plan back in 1 Kings 11, verse 31.
[15] Wherefore the king hearkened not unto the people; for the cause was from the LORD, that he might perform his saying, which the LORD spake by Ahijah the Shilonite unto Jeroboam the son of Nebat.

 

When the Israelites saw that Rehoboam did not listen to them, they were not happy.  They said they would not support David's descendants as king. They told everyone to go back to their homes. They said that Rehoboam can be king over his family's land of Judah only. They don't want him to be king over all of Israel.
[16] So when all Israel saw that the king hearkened not unto them, the people answered the king, saying, What portion have we in David? neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse: to your tents, O Israel: now see to thine own house, David. So Israel departed unto their tents.
[17] But as for the children of Israel which dwelt in the cities of Judah, Rehoboam reigned over them.


Then King Rehoboam sent one of his men to talk to the Israelites. His name was Adoram, and he was in charge of the taxes. But the Israelites threw rocks and killed him. Then Rehoboam hurried and left Shechem in his chariot. He escaped back to Jerusalem.
[18] Then king Rehoboam sent Adoram, who was over the tribute; and all Israel stoned him with stones, that he died. Therefore king Rehoboam made speed to get him up to his chariot, to flee to Jerusalem.


When this book of the Bible was written,  Israel was still against David's family.
[19] So Israel rebelled against the house of David unto this day.
 


Jeroboam becomes king of Israel.

When all of the Israelites heard that Jeroboam was back, they asked him to come see them. They were gathered in one place. They made him the new king of Israel.   The only tribe that supported David's family was the tribe of Judah.  
[20] And it came to pass, when all Israel heard that Jeroboam was come again, that they sent and called him unto the congregation, and made him king over all Israel: there was none that followed the house of David, but the tribe of Judah only.

 



Rehoboam plans to take Israel back.


Rehoboam went back to Jerusalem.  He got together soldiers from the tribes of Judah and Benjamin. There were 180,000 soldiers. They planned to fight with the other tribes of Israel. They wanted Rehoboam to be king of all Israel again.

[21] And when Rehoboam was come to Jerusalem, he assembled all the house of Judah, with the tribe of Benjamin, an hundred and fourscore thousand chosen men, which were warriors, to fight against the house of Israel, to bring the kingdom again to Rehoboam the son of Solomon.
 

God talked to the prophet named Shemaiah.  God told Shemaiah to tell Rehoboam and the soldiers that they should not fight.  God told the soldiers to go home.  It was God's plan for Jeroboam to become king.  Rehoboam and the soldiers listened to God, and they went home.
[22] But the word of God came unto Shemaiah the man of God, saying,
[23] Speak unto Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, king of Judah, and unto all the house of Judah and Benjamin, and to the remnant of the people, saying,
[24] 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. They hearkened therefore to the word of the LORD, and returned to depart, according to the word of the LORD.

 



 

Back in the book of Exodus, the Israelites built a gold calf. They worshiped the gold calf instead of worshiping God. God was very angry because the Israelites did that.

Jeroboam sins and builds gold calves.


Jeroboam made his home in Shechem (in the area of Mt. Ephraim). Then he added some new buildings in the city of Penuel.
[25] Then Jeroboam built Shechem in mount Ephraim, and dwelt therein; and went out from thence, and built Penuel.


Jeroboam thought about the Israelites going to make sacrifices at Jerusalem.  He was worried that when they went there, they would decide to follow David's family again. He was worried they would kill him and make Rehoboam the king again.
[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.


Jeroboam asked for advice. He then made 2 gold calves.  He told the Israelites that it was too hard for them to go to Jerusalem. He showed them the gold calves. He said the gold calves brought the Israelites out of Egypt. He put one gold calf in the area named Bethel. He put the other gold calf in the land of the tribe of Dan.
[28] Whereupon the king took counsel, and made two calves of gold, and said unto them, It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem: behold thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.
[29] And he set the one in Bethel, and the other put he in Dan.


The people started to sin and worship the gold calves.
[30] And this thing became a sin: for the people went to worship before the one, even unto Dan.


He made altars. Jeroboam let men from other tribes be priests (God only wanted men from the tribe of Levi to be the priests).
[31] And he made an house of high places, and made priests of the lowest of the people, which were not of the sons of Levi.


Jeroboam started a new feast. It was in the 8th month, on the 15th day of the month.  It was like the feast in Judah, but God did not tell Jeroboam to start this feast. He started it himself. He made sacrifices to the gold calves and he burned incense. He put priests and altars in Bethel.
[32] And Jeroboam ordained a feast in the eighth month, on the fifteenth day of the month, like unto the feast that is in Judah, and he offered upon the altar. So did he in Bethel, sacrificing unto the calves that he had made: and he placed in Bethel the priests of the high places which he had made.
[33] So he offered upon the altar which he had made in Bethel the fifteenth day of the eighth month, even in the month which he had devised of his own heart; and ordained a feast unto the children of Israel: and he offered upon the altar, and burnt incense.
 

 

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