Did Israel’s northern tribes immediately turn to apostasy? Was Rehoboam of Judah wise to opt for peace? Let’s begin in 2 Chronicles 11.
Who were the two tribes that constituted Judah? Did God tell them not to fight Israel?
Now when Rehoboam came to Jerusalem, he assembled from the house of Judah and Benjamin one hundred and eighty thousand chosen men who were warriors, to fight against Israel, that he might restore the kingdom to Rehoboam. But the word of the Lord came to Shemaiah the man of God, saying, “Speak to Rehoboam the son of Solomon, king of Judah, and to all Israel in Judah and Benjamin, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord: “You shall not go up or fight against your brethren! Let every man return to his house, for this thing is from Me.” ’ ” Therefore they obeyed the words of the Lord, and turned back from attacking Jeroboam. (2 Chr 11:1-4 NKJV)
Rather than attack Israel what did Rehoboam do with the cities of Judah?
Rehoboam remained in Jerusalem and fortified various towns for the defense of Judah. He built up Bethlehem, Etam, Tekoa, Beth-zur, Soco, Adullam, Gath, Mareshah, Ziph, Adoraim, Lachish, Azekah, Zorah, Aijalon, and Hebron. These became the fortified towns of Judah and Benjamin. Rehoboam strengthened their defenses and stationed commanders in them, and he stored supplies of food, olive oil, and wine. He also put shields and spears in these towns as a further safety measure. So only Judah and Benjamin remained under his control. (2 Chr 11:5-12 NLT)
Did apostasy in the north force Levites to leave their possessions and move south?
The priests and the Levites who were in all Israel stood with him out of all their territory. For the Levites left their pasture lands and their possessions, and came to Judah and Jerusalem; for Jeroboam and his sons cast them off, that they should not execute the priest’s office to Yahweh. He himself appointed priests for the high places, for the male goat and calf idols which he had made. After them, out of all the tribes of Israel, those who set their hearts to seek Yahweh, the God of Israel, came to Jerusalem to sacrifice to Yahweh, the God of their fathers. So they strengthened the kingdom of Judah and made Rehoboam the son of Solomon strong for three years, for they walked three years in the way of David and Solomon. (2 Chr 11:13-17 WEB)
Did Rehoboam continue the family legacy of marrying multiple wives contrary to God’s law for kings?
Rehoboam married Mahalath daughter of Jerimoth, David’s son, and Abihail daughter of Eliab, Jesse’s son. The sons she bore him were Jeush, Shemariah, and Zaham. Later he married Maacah, Absalom’s daughter, who bore him Abijah, Attai, Ziza, and Shelomith. Rehoboam loved Absalom’s daughter Maacah more than all his wives and secondary wives. In all, he had eighteen wives and sixty secondary wives, twenty-eight sons, and sixty daughters. Rehoboam named Abijah, Maacah’s son, as his successor in order to make him king. He wisely placed some of his sons in every region of Judah and Benjamin, in every fortified city, and gave them plenty of food and sought many wives for them. (2 Chr 11:18-23 CEB)
Was Rehoboam blessed by taking God’s path to peace not war?
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. (Matthew 5:9 ESV)
Did Israel’s northern tribes immediately turn to apostasy? Was Rehoboam of Judah wise to opt for peace? You decide!
