Rehoboam in Biblical History

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Who is Rehoboam?
REHOBO'AM
(enlarger of the people), a son of Solomon by the Ammonite princess Naamah, 1 Kgs 14:21; ascended the throne after the death of his father, at the age of forty-one, and reigned seventeen years, b.c. 975-957. It appears that the taxes which Solomon had laid on the people had become an onerous burden; and when Rehoboam went down to Shechem to be anointed and crowned, the representatives of the ten tribes met him with a unanimous demand for relief in the taxation. It is also probable that this proceeding of the ten tribes was influenced by the strong jealousy which reigned between Ephraim and Judah. The accession of David to the throne, and the transference of the ark and the royal residence to Jerusalem, had given the tribes of Judah and Benjamin a decided prominence, and Ephraim felt very sore. The situation was critical, and Rehoboam showed himself utterly incapable of managing it. Following the advice of his younger courtiers, he gave a most insolent answer, the effect of which was that the ten tribes revolted, leaving Judah and Benjamin alone in their allegiance to him. He at once proposed to employ force for the purpose of reducing the rebels, but was admonished Rehoboam. (From Sculptures at Karnak.) The inscription has been read, "Kingdom of Judah." by the prophet Shemaiah to forbear. 1 Kgs 12:24. Continual wars, however, prevailed between the two parties, and a still greater calamity soon fell on the head of the unhappy king. Allured by the enormous riches which Solomon had accumulated in Jerusalem, and probably also instigated by Jeroboam, the Egyptian king Shishak, the founder of the twenty-second dynasty, invaded Judah. Jerusalem was taken, and Rehoboam had to buy an ignominious peace by surrendering all the royal treasures. This victory of Shishak is found commemorated by artistic representations on the side of the great temple of Karnak.

Bibliography Information
Schaff, Philip, Dr. "Biblical Definition for 'rehoboam' in Schaffs Bible Dictionary".
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