2 Chronicles 10:1-19
Rehoboam went to Shechem, for all Israel had gone there to make him king. When Jeroboam son of Nebat heard this he and all Israel went to Rehoboam and said to him: “Your father put a heavy yoke on us, but now lighten the harsh labor and the heavy yoke he put on us, and we will serve you.”
Three days later Jeroboam and all the people returned to Rehoboam, as the king had said, “Come back to me in three days.” The king answered them harshly. Rejecting the advice of the elders, he followed the advice of the young men and said, “My father made your yoke heavy; I will make it even heavier. My father scourged you with whips; I will scourge you with scorpions.” So the king did not listen to the people, for this turn of events was from God, to fulfill the word the Lord had spoken to Jeroboam son of Nebat through Ahijah the Shilonite.
So Israel has been in rebellion against the house of David to this day.
The dates and length of reign of each king are given in the parallel section of 1 and 2 Kings. Many of them include a period of coregency with a predecessor, so there is often some overlap.
The Chronicler does not recognize the kings of Israel. Only David's descendants are the nation's true kings. From the time of the split he therefore largely ignores the northern kingdom, and frequently refers to Judah as 'Israel'. Even so, the ten tribes are still considered part of the Israelite nation and contain elements that continue loyal to God and to the rightful king.
Rehoboam inherits from Solomon a wealthy kingdom beginning to show signs of weakness. By the time of his death, only a fraction of that land and income are left to be handed down to his successor.
Why?
Tender and comfort work turn the heart back, but harsh words make nations turn away from the king.
Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. (Matt5:5)
All of these is the way made by the Lord for king Solomon turn away from the Lord when he was old. And his son Rehoboam turned away from the Lord either.
Harsh words and tender words follow different results.
How?
Blessing is from the Lord, But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.
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