Were come — Rehoboam did not call them thither, but went thither, because the Israelites prevented him, and had pitched upon that place, rather than upon Jerusalem, because it was most convenient for all, being in the center of the kingdom; and because that being in the potent tribe of Ephraim, they... [ Continue Reading ]
They sent — When the people sent him word of Solomon's death, they also sent a summons for him to come to Shechem. That the presence and countenance of a man of so great interest and reputation, might lay the greater obligation upon Rehoboam to grant them ease and relief.... [ Continue Reading ]
Grievous — By heavy taxes and impositions, not only for the temple and his magnificent buildings, but for the expenses of his numerous court, and of so many wives and concubines. And Solomon having so grossly forsaken God, it is no wonder if he oppressed the people.... [ Continue Reading ]
This day — By complying with their desires, and condescending to them for a season, till thou art better established in thy throne. They use this expression, fore — seeing that some would dissuade him from this course, as below the majesty of a prince. And answer — Thy service is not hard, it is onl... [ Continue Reading ]
Young men — So called, comparatively to the old men: otherwise they were near forty years old.... [ Continue Reading ]
Shall be thicker — Or rather, is thicker, and therefore stronger, and more able to crush you, if you proceed in these mutinous demands, than his loins, in which is the principal seat of strength.... [ Continue Reading ]
From the Lord — Who gave up Rehoboam to so foolish and fatal a mistake, and alienated the peoples affections from him; and ordered all circumstances by his wise providence to that end.... [ Continue Reading ]
In David — In David's family and son; we can expect no benefit or relief from him, and therefore we renounce all commerce with him, and subjection to him. They named David, rather than Rehoboam; to signify, that they renounced not Rehoboam only, but all David's family. Son of Jesse — So they call Da... [ Continue Reading ]
Judah — The tribe of Judah; with those parts of the tribes of Levi, and Simeon, and Benjamin, whose dwellings were within the confines of Judah.... [ Continue Reading ]
Sent Adoram — Probably to pursue the counsel which he had resolved upon, to execute his office, and exact their tribute with rigour and violence, if need were.... [ Continue Reading ]
Rebelled — Their revolt was sinful, as they did not this in compliance with God's counsel, but to gratify their own passions.... [ Continue Reading ]
Was come — From Egypt; which was known to them before who met at Shechem, and now by all the people. Was none — That is, no entire tribe.... [ Continue Reading ]
From me — This event is from my counsel and providence, to punish Solomon's apostasy.... [ Continue Reading ]
Shechem — He repaired, and enlarged, and fortified it; for it had been ruined long since, Judges 9:45. He might chuse it as a place both auspicious, because here the foundation of his monarchy was laid; and commodious, as being near the frontiers of his kingdom. Penuel — A place beyond Jordan; to se... [ Continue Reading ]
Said, &c. — Reasoned within himself. The phrase discovers the fountain of his error, that he did not consult with God, who had given him the kingdom; as in all reason, and justice, and gratitude he should have done: nor believed God's promise, 1 Kings 11:38, but his own carnal policy.... [ Continue Reading ]
Will turn — Which in itself might seem a prudent conjecture; for this would give Rehoboam, and the priests, and Levites, the sure and faithful friends of David's house, many opportunities of alienating their minds from him, and reducing them to their former allegiance. But considering God's providen... [ Continue Reading ]
Calves — In imitation of Aaron's golden calf, and of the Egyptians, from whom he was lately come. And this he the rather presumed to do, because he knew the people of Israel were generally prone to idolatry: and that Solomon's example had exceedingly strengthened those inclinations; and therefore th... [ Continue Reading ]
Beth — el, &c. — Which two places he chose for his peoples conveniency; Beth — el being in the southern, and Dan in the northern parts of his kingdom.... [ Continue Reading ]
A sin — That is, an occasion of great wickedness, not only of idolatry, which is called sin by way of eminency; nor only of the worship of the calves, wherein they pretended to worship the true God; but also of the worship of Baal, and of the utter desertion of the true God; and of all sorts of impi... [ Continue Reading ]
An house — Houses, or chapels, besides the temples, which are built at Dan and Beth — el; he built also for his peoples better accommodation, lesser temples upon divers high places. Of the lowest — Which he might do, either, because the better sort refused it, or, because such would be satisfied wit... [ Continue Reading ]
A feast — The feast of tabernacles. So he would keep God's feast, not in God's time, which was the fifteenth day of the seventh month, and so onward, Leviticus 23:34, but on the fifteenth day of the eighth month. And this alteration he made, either, to keep up the difference between his subjects, an... [ Continue Reading ]
Devised — Which he appointed without any warrant from God.... [ Continue Reading ]