Tyndale Open Study Notes1 Kings 12

• Shechem was in the center of the northern tribes' land. It was a key site and religious center even before the Israelites occupied Canaan (Genesis 12:6–7; 33:18–20). It became significant in Israel as a Levitical city and a city of refuge (Joshua 20:7; 21:20; 24:1). Rehoboam knew he needed the northern tribes' approval and support to rule a united kingdom. Shechem later became the temporary capital of the northern kingdom (1 Kings 12:25).

• Rehoboam ruled from 931 to 913 BC.

the burden of your father’s service and the heavy yoke: See 1 Kings 4:7, 22–23; 5:13–18; 9:20–23; 11:27–28.

three days: Rehoboam waited three days to consult his advisers, which was a traditional practice. The third day was often when final decisions were made (see 2 Kings 20:4–8). Jesus also rose from the grave on the third day (Luke 24:41; 1 Corinthians 15:4).

the elders: They had served under Solomon advised a moderate approach.

young men: Rehoboam's peers took a strict stance and advised against the older men's suggestions.

scorpions: This was likely a type of whip with barbs or nails. The wounds from this weapon felt like a scorpion's sting.

• Rehoboam listened to his younger advisers, which was a terrible choice. It caused the northern tribes to break away, leading to years of on-and-off fighting (1 Kings 14:30; 15:7, 32).

• from the LORD: God guided these decisions to carry out the predicted judgment against Solomon (1 Kings 11:11–13, 29Ý39).

Adoniram worked for both David (2 Samuel 20:24) and Solomon (1 Kings 4:6; 5:13–14). His death by stoning highlighted Rehoboam's mistake in sending the disliked labor supervisor to restore order in the north.

Rehoboam wanted to regain control of the kingdom by force, but he changed his mind after hearing God's message through Shemaiah. The phrase man of God highlights a prophet's role as God's messenger. Prophets were important in the history of the divided kingdom. Shemaiah likely wrote a history of Rehoboam’s reign (2 Chronicles 12:15).

Jeroboam's efforts to establish his kingdom are described in two parts. One part covers his construction projects (1 Kings 12:25), and the other discusses his false shrines and religious practices (1 Kings 12:26–33).

Both Shechem (1 Kings 12:1) and Peniel, which Jeroboam built across the Jordan River, were important defense sites against the Arameans.

Jeroboam aimed to meet Israel's spiritual needs and keep his people's loyalty by making northern worship services easy and unique.

Two gold calves would resonate with Israel's history (see Exodus 32; especially 32:4). Similar religious practices linked to the Canaanite god Baal-Hadad also attracted the remaining Canaanite people in the northern kingdom. Jeroboam's actions undermined true worship and led to religious confusion (see 1 Kings 14:9; Hosea 8:6).

Jeroboam placed calf idols in Bethel (southern Israel) and Dan (northern Israel). These locations had long religious traditions (see Genesis 12:8; 28:11–19; Judges 18:30–31). Archaeologists found a high place, an altar for pagan worship, in Dan. Bethel was where Jacob dreamed (Genesis 28:10–22). It was also where the ark of the covenant rested during the time of the judges (Judges 20:18–28) and served as a sanctuary in Samuel’s time (1 Samuel 7:16; 10:3).

Jeroboam broke the law of Moses by allowing worship at pagan shrines (Deuteronomy 12:2–7). The law also stated that priests should only be from the tribe of Levi (Exodus 40:13–15; Numbers 1:50–53).

• Replacing the Feast of Tabernacles, Israel’s main ceremonial feast in the seventh month, with a festival in Bethel broke the law (Deuteronomy 16:13–15). Holding this imitation festival one month later in the eighth month might have matched the end of the Canaanite agricultural year. Jeroboam’s false religious practices led to Israel’s downfall (2 Kings 17:22).

• Jeroboam’s offering of sacrifices on the altar at Bethel set a poor example in spiritual leadership.