Rehoboam was the son of King Solomon and the fourth king of theunited kingdom of Israel. He is mentioned in the Bible’s Books of Chroniclesand Kings, and speaks about him in great detail. Rehoboam was a verypowerful and influential man, who is remembered and discussed even today.
The significance of Rehoboam in the Bible is evident in the fact thathe is mentioned in connection with a number of events, including thedivision of the kingdom, the formation of the Northern and Southernkingdoms, and his subsequent ruling of the Northern Kingdom. After hisfather’s death, Rehoboam ascended the throne, but he soon faced contentionfrom his people, as well as his own advisers.
Rehoboam was presented with an ultimatum by Jeroboam – one of hisbest friends and officers who had served under Solomon – in which heoffered Rehoboam an ultimatum that if he failed to abide by their desiresfor political freedom, they would secede from the kingdom. Conflictingadvice was given to Rehoboam by his wise old advisers and his friends,but he chose to heed his friends’ advice, leading to the split of thekingdom and the formation of two rival kingdoms. This split was seen asa serious breach of God’s Covenant, and prophets were sent from bothsides to make peace.
Rehoboam continued to rule the Northern Kingdom and led a prosperouskingdom, although it was still in direct conflict with the SouthernKingdom. He made a number of reforms in order to ensure security anda prosperous future for his kingdom. Rehoboam was remembered for hisstrong attitude towards his enemies and his love for his people. He wasseen as a just king who was loyal to the Covenant, and who sought the adviceof others – especially those who were wise and prudent – and was willingto listen to the needs of his people.
Rehoboam’s legacy is one of potential and hope. He was seen as apotent symbol of order and justice in a tumultuous time, and his reignwas seen as a beacon of hope for the future. To this day, he is widelyregarded as one of the Bible’s great leaders.
Rehoboam’s father – King Solomon
Rehoboam was the son of King Solomon, who was the third king of Israel.Solomon was renowned for his wisdom and his devotion to his people andGod. He is remembered for his acts of justice, and for his knowledgeand intelligence. He was a great builder, erecting the First Temple inJerusalem. He is also known for writing the Books of Proverbs, Songs,and Ecclesiastes. His vast wealth and power caused other countries tocome under his sway, and he was even wise enough to make use of theonly form of transportation available to him, the Camel.
Many famous stories of King Solomon revolve around the throne ofDavid, in which God granted him great wisdom and knowledge. In hisfinal years, Solomon crowned his son Rehoboam as the fourth king ofIsrael. Through the acts of Solomon, the kingdom of Israel prosperedand flourished.
Rehoboam’s split of the Kingdom
The split of the kingdom (between Judah and Israel) came afterRehoboam’s ascension to the throne. He faced an ultimatum fromJeroboam, in which he was offered political freedom. In response tothis, Rehoboam consulted with two groups of advisors – his old, wiseand experienced advisors, and his young and inexperienced friends.Sadly, the latter group convinced Rehoboam to reject Jeroboam’s offer,leading to the split of the kingdom.
This decision by Rehoboam was seen as a direct violation of God’sCovenant. To bring peace to the kingdom, prophets were sent from bothsides to bring the message of God to the people. Despite their bestefforts, the kingdom remained divided with separate kings ruling bothsides.
Rehoboam’s Initial Reign
Rehoboam initially viewed his rule as a sign of divine strength, ashe believed he was blessed by God to lead the Israelites into aprosperous era. Unfortunately, he was unable to gain the trust of hispeople and soon faced disturbances and rebellions from those whofollowed Jeroboam. In order to ensure a more stable kingdom, he tookmeasures such as reinvesting in the temple, levying taxes, buildingfortifications, and encouraging the growth of cities.
Rehoboam also had an edict that enabled him to mobilize thecitizens at his own expense, furthering his power to maintain stabilitythroughout the kingdom. Settlers began to migrate to the city of Zion,which was deemed a safe haven, as citizens built their homes andtemples, laying the foundation for one of the most prosperous periodsin the history of the Israelites.
Rehoboam’s Later Reign
Rehoboam continued to lead a prosperous kingdom, although it wasstill in direct conflict with the Southern Kingdom. He continued toinstitute reforms to improve life for the citizens of the NorthernKingdom. Rehoboam provided jobs and safe-havens for those fleeing thesiege of Jerusalem, and he increased his involvement in the internationaltrade, furthering the prosperity of his kingdom. He also had a strongmilitary that helped to ensure peace throughout his reign.
Rehoboam was known to be an influential leader and a good man whenit came to advancing the cause of his people. He was seen as a justking who was loyal to the covenant, and who sought the advice of otherswise, and was willing to listen to the needs of his people. He wasrespected by many in the Northern Kingdom, and his legacy as kingremained long after his death.
Rehoboam’s Death
Rehoboam died of natural causes after a prosperous and peaceful reignof seventeen years. He was buried in the city of Jerusalem with fullmilitary ceremonial. He was mourned by the nation, and his contributionfor his people was remembered. Even today, he is revered by many asa leader who sought justice and peace, and as a symbol of hope andprogress for the Israelites.
The death of Rehoboam left the throne vacant and sparked a periodof civil war between rival claimants. The Northern Kingdom waseventually divided into two distinct regions, with the two rivalclaimants ruling over them for the next twelve years. After the division, peace was eventually restored and the land again unitedunder a single ruler.
Rehoboam’s Legacy
Rehoboam is remembered in the Bible for his good leadership and hisfirmness in upholding God’s covenant. He is seen as a symbol of justiceand hope, and his legacy is remembered through the generations. Adedication to justice and a willingness to listen to the needs of thepeople proved to be the hallmark of Rehoboam’s reign, and his memoryis something that still is alive in the Jewish tradition.
Rehoboam is also remembered in modern times as a leader who wantedto see unity among the Israelites and was willing to take on thechallenge of rule. He was determined to lead a prosperous kingdom andpromote peace, even in the face of adversity. Rehoboam was a man ofgreat power and influence, whose legacy and wisdom still live on.
The Contribution of Rehoboam
Rehoboam’s contributions are remembered today for his efforts atstabilizing the kingdom, his wise and prudent leadership, and hiscommitment to justice. His well-planned reforms gave the Israelitesa stronger economic footing, secured the safety of the people andincreased the power of his kingdom. He is remembered for his strongwill and fierce loyalty to the kingdom and for his love for his people.
Rehoboam’s legacy is one of potential and hope. He sought to furtherthe cause of unity and justice among the Israelites, and he providedfor a peaceful and prosperous kingdom in which he was respectedby his people. Rehoboam remains today a potent symbol of order andjustice in a tumultuous era, and his leadership and legacy are stillremembered in the Jewish tradition.
Rehoboam’s Impact on the Bible
The impact of Rehoboam on the Bible is evident in the numerousmentions of him throughout scripture. He was seen as a just king whoensured justice and security throughout his tenure, and his legacy isstill remembered today. He was strongly associated with the kingshipof David, and the Bible mentions Solomon and Rehoboam in connectionwith numerous stories and events.
Rehoboam is very much part of the narrative of the Bible and ismentioned in Kings and Chronicles as well. His story provides animportant lesson to all believers today – that loyalty to God andobedience to His will are vital to a peaceful and prosperous kingdom.Rehoboam is remembered for his strength of character and for hisdevotion to the people of Israel, and his legacy still lives on.
