Jo’s Place

Egypt Invades Judah Because Rehoboam loved    Maacah more than any of his other wives, he appointed her son Abijah as leader among the princes, making it clear that he would be the next king.  Rehoboam also, wisely, gave responsibilities to his other sons, and stationed some of them in the fortified towns, throughout the land of Judah and Benjamin.  He provided them with generous provisions, and he found many wives for them.    But, when Rehoboam was firmly established and strong, he abandoned the Law of the Lord, and all Israel, unfortunately, followed him in this sin.  Because the Jews were unfaithful to the Lord, King Shishak of Egypt came up and attacked Jerusalem, in the fifth year of King Rehoboam’s reign.  He came with 1,200 chariots, 60,000 horses, and a countless army of foot soldiers, including Libyans, Sukkites, and Ethiopians.  Shishak conquered Judah’s fortified towns, and then advanced to attack Jerusalem.  The prophet, She...

Shemaiah Prophesied and Rehoboam Fortified Judah When Rehoboam arrived at Jerusalem, he mobilized the men of Judah and Benjamin—180,000 select troops—to fight against Israel ….and to restore the kingdom to himself.  But the Lord said to Shemaiah, the man of God,  “Say to Rehoboam, son of Solomon, king of Judah, and to all the Israelites, in Judah and Benjamin:  ‘This is what the Lord says:  Do not fight against your relatives.  Go back home, for what has happened is My doing!’ ”  So they obeyed the message of the Lord and did not fight against Jeroboam.    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...

The Northern Tribes of Israel Revolt After the death of his father, Solomon, …Rehoboam went to Shechem, where all Israel had gathered, to make him king.  When Jeroboam, son of Nebat, who had been a loyal servant of Solomon, heard of this, he returned from Egypt, …for he had fled to Egypt to escape from King Solomon, after he had betrayed the king, who treated him like a son and honored him.  The leaders of Israel summoned him, ….so Jeroboam and all Israel went to speak with Rehoboam.  “Your father was a hard master,” they said.  “Lighten the harsh labor demands and heavy taxes that your father imposed on us.  Then we will be your loyal subjects.”  Rehoboam replied, “Come back in three days for my answer.”  So the people went away.  Then, King Rehoboam discussed the matter with the older men, who had counseled his father, Solomon.  “What is your advice?” he asked.  “How should I answer these people?”  The older counselors replied,...