King
Rehoboam
First King of Judah
930-913 BC
Biography
Rehoboam inherited a united but overtaxed kingdom. When the people asked for lighter burdens, he rejected the counsel of elders and threatened harsher treatment. Ten tribes revolted under Jeroboam, leaving Rehoboam with only Judah and Benjamin. He fortified cities but abandoned the Lord after three years. Egypt's Shishak invaded and plundered the Temple.
My father made your yoke heavy; I will make it even heavier
Key Events
- 1Rejected wise counsel1 Kings 12:6-15→
Followed young advisors
Read the verse here
1 Kings 12:6-15Then King Rehoboam consulted with the elders who had served his father Solomon during his lifetime. “How do you advise me to respond to these people?” he asked.
- 2Kingdom divided1 Kings 12:16-20→
Ten tribes followed Jeroboam
Read the verse here
1 Kings 12:16-20When all Israel saw that the king had refused to listen to them, they answered the king: “What portion do we have in David, and what inheritance in the son of Jesse? To your tents, O Israel! Look now to your own house, O David!” So the Israelites went home,
- 3Egyptian invasion1 Kings 14:25-26→
Shishak plundered Temple
Read the verse here
1 Kings 14:25-26In the fifth year of Rehoboam’s reign, Shishak king of Egypt came up and attacked Jerusalem.
More Key Verses
“He did evil because he had not set his heart on seeking the LORD”
Rehoboam in Scripture
50 verses use this name, in 4 books. Open a book to read its mentions here. Text: Berean Standard Bible. Names repeat in Scripture — some of these verses may speak of another person called Rehoboam.
Old Testament3 books · 49 mentions
1 Kings19 mentions
- 1 Kings 11:43And Solomon rested with his fathers and was buried in the city of his father David. And his son Rehoboam reigned in his place.
- 1 Kings 12:1Then Rehoboam went to Shechem, for all Israel had gone there to make him king.
- 1 Kings 12:3So they sent for Jeroboam, and he and the whole assembly of Israel came to Rehoboam and said,
- 1 Kings 12:5Rehoboam answered, “Go away for three days and then return to me.” So the people departed.
- 1 Kings 12:6Then King Rehoboam consulted with the elders who had served his father Solomon during his lifetime. “How do you advise me to respond to these people?” he asked.
14 further mentions in 1 Kings — read them in the book.
1 Chronicles1 mention
2 Chronicles29 mentions
- 2 Chronicles 9:31And Solomon rested with his fathers and was buried in the city of his father David. And his son Rehoboam reigned in his place.
- 2 Chronicles 10:1Then Rehoboam went to Shechem, for all Israel had gone there to make him king.
- 2 Chronicles 10:3So they sent for Jeroboam, and he and all Israel came to Rehoboam and said,
- 2 Chronicles 10:5Rehoboam answered, “Come back to me in three days.” So the people departed.
- 2 Chronicles 10:6Then King Rehoboam consulted with the elders who had served his father Solomon during his lifetime. “How do you advise me to respond to these people?” he asked.
24 further mentions in 2 Chronicles — read them in the book.
New Testament1 book · 1 mention
Spiritual Significance
Rehoboam shows how pride and foolish counsel can destroy what took generations to build.
Character Profile
- Strengths
- Initially sought God, fortified cities
- Weaknesses
- Pride, rejected wise counsel, later abandoned God
- Lessons
- Listen to experienced counsel. Pride leads to loss.
Related Characters
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