1 Kings 11:29-32; 12:19
Chapter 11
29
One time, when Jeroboam was leaving Jerusalem, the prophet Ahijah of Shiloh met him on the road. They were alone in an open field.
30
when Ahijah, who was wearing a new garment, seized it and tore it into twelve pieces.
31
He then told Jeroboam, “Take ten pieces for yourself, for this is the word of the Lord, the God of Israel:‘I am about to tear the kingdom from Solomon’s hands
32
to give you ten tribes. Only one tribe shall be left to him for the sake of my servant David and Jerusalem, the city I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel.
Chapter 12
19
So Israel has been in rebellion against the house of David to the present time.
Commentaries
Rebellions Against Solomon.
The author shows the division of the kingdom as a result of Solomon’s idolatrous apostasy. Ahijah acts as the voice of divine will, and through a symbolic act, he transfers the ten tribes to Jeroboam. The decree is issued; the kingdom’s division becomes unavoidable.
The Schism.
This passage describes the splitting of the kingdom. Rehoboam, son of Solomon, ignores the advice of the elders and listens instead to his inexperienced and boastful friends. Rather than reaching an agreement with Jeroboam and the people, he arrogantly forces his will on them. As a result, the division of the kingdom is finalized. To avoid civil war, the prophet Shemaiah explains that this is happening by divine will.