The glory of the kingdom of Israel was in its height and perfection in Solomon; it was long in coming to it, but it soon declined, and began to sink and wither in the very next reign, as we find in this chapter, where we have the kingdom divided, and thereby weakened and made little in comparison with what it had been. Here is, I. Rehoboam's accession to the throne and Jeroboam's return out of Egypt, ver. 1, 2. II. The people's petition to Rehoboam for the redress of grievances, and the rough answer he gave, by the advice of his young counsellors, to that petition, ver. 3-15. III. The revolt of the ten tribes thereupon, and their setting up Jeroboam, ver. 16-20. IV. Rehoboam's attempt to reduce them and the prohibition God gave to that attempt, ver. 21-24. V. Jeroboam's establishment of his government upon idolatry, ver. 25-33. Thus did Judah become weak, being deserted by their brethren, and Israel, by deserting the house of the Lord.
The Folly of Rehoboam. (b. c. 975.)