1. After the death of “King Solomon,”
– his son, “[Rehoboam]” inherited the throne as “[King of Israel],”
(1 kings 11:43). But Rehoboam did not inherit the wisdom of his
father. Actually, Rehoboam’s
reckless decisions as king “Divided” the Nation of Israel! Here’s what took place:
2. While Solomon ruled, the
citizen of their Nation of Israel complained that the high taxes were creating
a heavy burden on the ppl. So,
when “Rehoboam” became king after Solomon, the ppl again,
pleaded their case before him as well (1Kings12:.4).
3. But instead of Rehoboam listening
to the advice of the counselors Solomon used, he replaced them with younger
advisers – who instructed him to make the burden worse, and
actually “Raised” their taxes (1Kings 12:6-11)!
4. This harsh decision cause the
majority of the “[Israelites]” to break away from this young
king. So, “10” of the “12” Tribes
separated themselves from the “Tribe of Judah” and became a “New
Nation” controlling the “Northern kingdom of Judah” and they
established their own king to rule over them (king Jeroboam); (1
Kings 12:20).
5. This explains why Scripture often
refers to “Judah” (the dark-skinned tribe), and “The House of Israel”
as two different parts of the Nation as a whole.
6. So, King Rehoboam now only
controlled the “Tribe of Judah!” (Israel’s most important tribe) because
the Messiah was predicted to descend from it (Gen.49:8-10). Therefore, recognizing its importance, the “Tribe
of Benjamin” decided to be loyal of “[King Rehoboam].” So, together, they contained “180K”
warriors, and they remained together with “[The Tribe of Judah!”
ready to go to war against the “House of Israel!”
7. Therefore, God intervened and commanded
them not to go to war against their brethren (1 Kings 12:22-24). So,
these “2” tribes “Judah,” and “Benjamin,” controlled the “[Southern
kingdom of Judah].” But never again
would Israelites operate as “One Nation!”
8. And unfortunately, the “10”
Tribes who defected, and became a new nation, were led into “Idolatry”
by their very first king, “King Jeroboam! – he set up idol gods
for them to worship, and he credit this idol god for bringing the Children of
Israel out of Egypt, instead of the “Living God!” And we know from Scripture that God tells
us that He does not “Share” His Glory! (Isa.42:8).
9. This new king also changed their
holy days, and set up new times for worship. He also made priests of those who were
not qualified to be priests (1Kings 12:28-33). Since they no longer obeyed the Laws of God,
they were not considered real Jews any longer, but were looked
down on, by the Jews who followed the Law. And all the kings after “Jeroboam,”
followed in his footsteps; misleading the “10” tribes, and defiling their own religion
“Judaism.” None did what was
right in the eyes of the Lord.
10.
This
new nation, called the “House of Israel” eventually gained control of “Samaria,”
and made it their “Capital city” for the “10” tribes who were led
astray (mixing Judaism with pagan customs).
11.
That
is why many yrs. later, (after Jesus was born, and on His Earthly Ministry),
His Disciples were shocked to find Jesus talking to the “Woman
at the well!” – she was a Samaritan Jew! and bloodline Jews
did not associate with “Samaritan Jews,” due to this very history
(Jh.4:1-25).
12.
So,
although “king Rehoboam,” (Black son of Solomon), was a reckless King,
he had the wisdom to keep the original Laws of Israel; handed
down by Moses. For further understanding,
read 1 & 11 Kings.
“End-Time” Revelations, by "Lessie
Myles,” (author of “5” books about Black People in the Bible).
