Bible Commentaries
1 Kings 12

Introduction

Overview

1 Kings 12:1, The Israelites, assembled at Shechem to crown Rehoboam, by Jeroboam make a suit of relaxation unto him; 1 Kings 12:6, Rehoboam, refusing the old men’s counsel, answers them roughly; 1 Kings 12:16, Ten tribes revolting, kill Adoram, and make Rehoboam flee; 1 Kings 12:21, Rehoboam, raising an army, is forbidden by Shemaiah; 1 Kings 12:25, Jeroboam strengthens himself by cities; 1 Kings 12:26, and by the idolatry of the two calves.

Verse 1

Rehoboam: 1 Kings 11:43, 2 Chronicles 10:1-19

Shechem: Genesis 12:6, Sichem, Genesis 33:18, Genesis 33:19, Joshua 20:7, Joshua 24:1, Joshua 24:32, Judges 9:1, Psalms 60:6, Acts 7:16, Sychem

Reciprocal: Joshua 17:7 - Shechem Joshua 21:21 - Shechem Judges 9:6 - plain 1 Kings 12:25 - Shechem 2 Kings 21:24 - made Josiah Proverbs 11:14 - General Jeremiah 41:5 - Shechem Matthew 1:7 - Roboam Matthew 2:20 - for

Verse 2

Jeroboam the son of Nebat: 1 Kings 11:26-31, 1 Kings 11:40, 2 Chronicles 10:2, 2 Chronicles 10:3

Reciprocal: Proverbs 26:21 - General

Verse 3

Reciprocal: Judges 9:1 - communed 2 Chronicles 10:3 - they sent Proverbs 26:21 - General

Verse 4

our yoke: 1 Kings 4:7, 1 Kings 4:20, 1 Kings 4:22, 1 Kings 4:23, 1 Kings 4:25, 1 Kings 9:15, 1 Kings 9:22, 1 Kings 9:23, 1 Samuel 8:11-18, 2 Chronicles 10:4, 2 Chronicles 10:5, Matthew 11:29, Matthew 11:30, Matthew 23:4, 1 John 5:3

Verse 5

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 12:12 - Come to me again 2 Chronicles 10:5 - Come again Luke 2:46 - after

Verse 6

consulted: 2 Samuel 16:20, 2 Samuel 17:5, Job 12:12, Job 32:7, Proverbs 27:10, Jeremiah 42:2-5, Jeremiah 43:2

Reciprocal: Genesis 41:46 - he stood 1 Samuel 8:3 - his sons 1 Kings 12:23 - General 1 Chronicles 6:32 - and then Psalms 119:100 - understand

Verse 7

If thou wilt: 2 Chronicles 10:6, 2 Chronicles 10:7, Proverbs 15:1, Mark 10:43, Mark 10:44, Philippians 2:7-11

speak good: 1 Kings 12:13, 2 Samuel 15:3-6, Ecclesiastes 10:4, Zechariah 1:13

Reciprocal: Exodus 21:6 - for ever 1 Chronicles 13:2 - If it seem

Verse 8

2 Chronicles 10:8, 2 Chronicles 25:15, 2 Chronicles 25:16, Proverbs 1:2-5, Proverbs 1:25, Proverbs 1:30, Proverbs 19:20, Proverbs 25:12, Ecclesiastes 10:2, Ecclesiastes 10:3

Reciprocal: Genesis 41:46 - he stood 1 Kings 12:28 - took counsel 1 Chronicles 6:32 - and then 1 Chronicles 19:3 - but the princes Proverbs 13:20 - but Hosea 6:10 - there

Verse 9

1 Kings 22:6-8, 2 Samuel 17:5, 2 Samuel 17:6, 2 Chronicles 10:9, 2 Chronicles 18:5-7

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 12:28 - took counsel

Verse 10

Thus shalt thou: 2 Samuel 17:7-13

My little finger: A proverbial mode of expression: "My little finger is thicker than my father's thigh." As much as the thigh surpasses the little finger in thickness, so much does my power exceed that of my father; and the use I shall make of it to oppress and tax you shall be in proportion. 2 Chronicles 10:10, 2 Chronicles 10:11, Proverbs 10:14, Proverbs 18:6, Proverbs 18:7, Proverbs 28:25, Proverbs 29:23, Isaiah 47:6

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 8:11 - He will take 1 Kings 12:14 - My father made Proverbs 13:10 - Only Proverbs 13:20 - but Proverbs 28:16 - prince Ecclesiastes 4:16 - no end

Verse 11

I will add: Exodus 1:13, Exodus 1:14, Exodus 5:5-9, Exodus 5:18, 1 Samuel 8:18, 2 Chronicles 16:10, Isaiah 58:6, Jeremiah 27:11, Jeremiah 28:13, Jeremiah 28:14

but I will chastise: Should you rebel or become disaffected, my father's whip shall be a scorpion in my hand. His was chastisement, mine shall be punishment. Celsius and Hiller conjecture that âkrabbim denotes a thorny kind of shrub, whose prickles are of a venomous nature, called by the Arabs scorpion thorns, from the exquisite pain which they inflict. But the Chaldee renders it margenin, and the Syriac moragyai, i.e., לבסבדםבי, scourges; and in the parallel place of Chronicles the Arabic has saut, a scourge. Isidore, and after him Calmet and others, assert that the scorpion was a sort of severe whip, the lashes of which were armed with knots or points that sunk into and tore the flesh.

scorpions: 1 Kings 12:14, Ezekiel 2:6, Revelation 9:3-10

Reciprocal: 2 Chronicles 10:10 - My little finger Proverbs 13:10 - Only

Verse 12

Come to me again: 1 Kings 12:5, 2 Chronicles 10:12-14

Reciprocal: Luke 2:46 - after

Verse 13

answered: 1 Kings 20:6-11, Genesis 42:7, Genesis 42:30, Exodus 5:2, Exodus 10:28, Judges 12:1-6, 1 Samuel 20:10, 1 Samuel 20:30, 1 Samuel 20:31, 1 Samuel 25:10, 1 Samuel 25:11, 2 Samuel 19:43, Proverbs 10:11, Proverbs 10:32, Proverbs 15:1, Proverbs 18:23, Ecclesiastes 10:12, James 3:17

roughly: Heb. hardly, Genesis 16:6

forsook: Proverbs 13:20

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 12:7 - speak good Ecclesiastes 10:6 - Folly

Verse 14

the counsel: 2 Chronicles 22:4, 2 Chronicles 22:5, Esther 1:16-21, Esther 2:2-4, Proverbs 12:5, Isaiah 19:11-13, Daniel 6:7

My father made: 1 Kings 12:10, 1 Kings 12:11, Proverbs 13:10, Proverbs 16:18, Proverbs 17:14, Ecclesiastes 7:8, James 3:14-18, James 4:1, James 4:2

Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 23:5 - Although Proverbs 26:4 - General Proverbs 28:16 - prince Ecclesiastes 2:19 - who knoweth Ecclesiastes 10:6 - Folly

Verse 15

the cause: The cause of all this confusion and anarchy was Rehoboam's folly, cruelty, and despotic tyranny, and this was certainly not "from the Lord," nor does the original text speak this doctrine. For an elucidation of a similar passage, see note on 2 Samuel 24:1. It says, sibbah, (from savav, to turn, change), "the change or Revolution was from the Lord;" which is consistent with all the preceding declarations. God stirred up the people to revolt from a man who had neither skill nor humanity to govern them. God serves his own wise and righteous purpose by the imprudences and iniquities of men, and snares sinners in the work of their own hands. "He maketh the wrath of man to praise him." 1 Kings 12:24, 1 Kings 22:23, Deuteronomy 2:30, Judges 14:4, 2 Chronicles 10:15, 2 Chronicles 22:7, 2 Chronicles 25:16, 2 Chronicles 25:20, Psalms 5:10, Amos 3:6, Acts 2:23, Acts 4:28

that he might: 1 Kings 11:11, 1 Kings 11:29-38, 1 Samuel 15:29, 2 Samuel 17:14, 2 Kings 9:36, 2 Kings 10:10, Isaiah 14:13-17, Isaiah 46:10, Isaiah 46:11, Daniel 4:35, John 19:23, John 19:24, John 19:28, John 19:29, John 19:32-37, Acts 3:17, Acts 13:27-29

Reciprocal: Joshua 11:20 - it was Judges 9:23 - God 1 Kings 11:14 - the Lord 1 Kings 11:35 - will give Job 1:21 - taken away Hosea 13:11 - General

Verse 16

What portion: 2 Samuel 20:1, 2 Chronicles 10:16

to your tents: 1 Kings 22:17, 1 Kings 22:36

now see: 1 Kings 11:13, 1 Kings 11:34, 1 Kings 11:36, 1 Kings 11:39, 2 Samuel 7:15, 2 Samuel 7:16, Psalms 2:1-6, Psalms 76:10, Psalms 89:29-37, Psalms 132:17, Isaiah 7:2, Isaiah 7:6, Isaiah 7:7, Isaiah 9:6, Isaiah 9:7, Jeremiah 23:5, Jeremiah 23:6, Jeremiah 33:15, Jeremiah 33:16, Jeremiah 33:21, Luke 19:14, Luke 19:27

So Israel: Judges 8:35, 2 Samuel 15:13, 2 Samuel 16:11

Reciprocal: Joshua 22:25 - ye have Judges 9:28 - Who is Abimelech 1 Samuel 4:10 - every man 1 Samuel 22:7 - the son of Jesse 1 Samuel 25:10 - Who is David 2 Samuel 19:43 - We have 1 Kings 11:11 - I will surely Psalms 89:44 - Thou Proverbs 13:10 - Only Proverbs 18:19 - brother Proverbs 24:21 - meddle Proverbs 26:4 - General Isaiah 7:17 - the day Ezekiel 37:16 - For Joseph Hosea 3:5 - and David their king Hosea 8:4 - set Hosea 13:11 - General Mark 3:24 - General Luke 3:32 - was the son of Jesse Acts 15:16 - build again the tabernacle Hebrews 12:25 - See 2 Peter 2:10 - despise

Verse 17

the children: 1 Kings 11:13, 1 Kings 11:36, 2 Chronicles 10:17, 2 Chronicles 11:13-17

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 12:20 - none that followed 2 Chronicles 10:16 - What portion 2 Chronicles 12:1 - all Israel

Verse 18

Adoram: 1 Kings 4:6, 1 Kings 5:14, Adoniram, 2 Samuel 20:24, 2 Chronicles 10:18, Hadoram

all Israel: Exodus 17:4, Numbers 14:10, 2 Chronicles 24:21, Acts 5:26, Acts 7:57, Acts 7:58

made speed: Heb. strengthened himself

flee to Jerusalem: 1 Kings 20:18-20, Proverbs 28:1, Proverbs 28:2, Amos 2:16

Verse 19

Israel: 1 Samuel 10:19, 2 Kings 17:21, 2 Chronicles 10:19, 2 Chronicles 13:5-7, 2 Chronicles 13:17, Isaiah 7:17

rebelled: or, fell away, Hebrews 6:6

unto this day: Joshua 4:9

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 4:1 - over all Israel 2 Chronicles 15:9 - they fell

Verse 20

and made him: 1 Samuel 10:24, Hosea 8:4

none that followed: 1 Kings 12:17, 1 Kings 11:13, 1 Kings 11:32, Hosea 11:12

Reciprocal: Judges 9:1 - communed Judges 9:6 - plain 2 Samuel 19:20 - Joseph 1 Kings 4:1 - over all Israel 1 Kings 11:11 - I will surely 1 Kings 11:26 - Jeroboam 1 Kings 11:35 - will give 2 Kings 10:3 - Look even 2 Kings 17:18 - the tribe 2 Kings 17:21 - they made 2 Kings 21:24 - made Josiah 2 Chronicles 10:19 - Israel 2 Chronicles 13:6 - rebelled Proverbs 12:24 - hand Proverbs 26:21 - General Ezekiel 23:4 - the elder Hosea 13:10 - thy judges

Verse 21

when Rehoboam: 2 Chronicles 11:1-3

an hundred: 1 Chronicles 21:5, 2 Chronicles 14:8, 2 Chronicles 14:11, 2 Chronicles 17:14-19, Proverbs 21:30, Proverbs 21:31

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 33:12 - The beloved 2 Kings 10:3 - fight for

Verse 22

Deuteronomy 33:1, 2 Kings 4:16, 2 Kings 4:22, 2 Kings 4:25, 2 Kings 4:27, 1 Timothy 6:11

Shemaiah: 2 Chronicles 11:2, 2 Chronicles 12:5, 2 Chronicles 12:7

the man: 1 Kings 13:1, 1 Kings 13:4, 1 Kings 13:5, 1 Kings 13:11, 1 Kings 17:18, 1 Kings 17:24

Reciprocal: 2 Chronicles 12:15 - Shemaiah Jeremiah 35:4 - a man

Verse 23

1 Kings 12:6

Verse 24

Ye shall not go up: Numbers 14:42, 2 Chronicles 11:4, 2 Chronicles 25:7, 2 Chronicles 25:8, 2 Chronicles 28:9-13

for this thing: 1 Kings 12:15, 1 Kings 11:29-38, Hosea 8:4

They hearkened: 2 Chronicles 25:10, 2 Chronicles 28:13-15

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 14:7 - Forasmuch 1 Kings 14:30 - General 1 Kings 22:36 - Every man 2 Chronicles 10:15 - the cause Acts 5:39 - if

Verse 25

built: 1 Kings 9:15, 1 Kings 9:17, 1 Kings 9:18, 1 Kings 15:17, 1 Kings 16:24, 2 Chronicles 11:5-12

Shechem: 1 Kings 12:1, Judges 9:1, Judges 9:45-49

Penuel: Genesis 32:30, Genesis 32:31, Judges 8:8, Judges 8:17

Reciprocal: Joshua 17:7 - Shechem Judges 9:6 - plain 2 Samuel 19:20 - Joseph Jeremiah 41:5 - Shechem Hosea 6:9 - by consent Hosea 13:1 - exalted

Verse 26

said in his heart: Psalms 14:1, Mark 2:6-8, Luke 7:39

Now shall: 1 Kings 11:38, 1 Samuel 27:1, 2 Chronicles 20:20, Isaiah 7:9, Jeremiah 38:18-21, John 11:47-50, John 12:10, John 12:11, John 12:19, Acts 4:16, Acts 4:17

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 13:12 - said I 1 Samuel 16:6 - Surely 1 Kings 13:34 - to cut it off 1 Kings 16:26 - he walked 2 Kings 3:3 - he departed 2 Kings 13:2 - followed Psalms 53:1 - said Ezekiel 23:4 - Aholah Hosea 5:3 - thou Hosea 5:11 - he willingly Hosea 13:11 - General

Verse 27

go up: 1 Kings 8:29, 1 Kings 8:30, 1 Kings 8:44, 1 Kings 11:32, Deuteronomy 12:5-7, Deuteronomy 12:14, Deuteronomy 16:2, Deuteronomy 16:6

and they shall: Genesis 12:12, Genesis 12:13, Genesis 26:7, Proverbs 29:25, 1 Corinthians 1:19, 1 Corinthians 1:20

Reciprocal: Joshua 22:25 - make 1 Samuel 13:12 - said I 1 Kings 15:17 - he might not suffer 2 Chronicles 13:6 - rebelled 2 Chronicles 16:1 - to the intent

Verse 28

took counsel: 1 Kings 12:8, 1 Kings 12:9, Exodus 1:10, Isaiah 30:1

two calves of gold: He invented a political religion, and instituted feasts in his own times, different from those appointed by Jehovah; gave the people certain objects of adoration, and pretended to think that it would be both inconvenient and oppressive to them to go up to Jerusalem to worship. These calves were doubtless of the same kind as the calf which was set up by Aaron; and it is remarkable, that in pointing them out to the people he should use the same words that Aaron used on that occasion, when they must have heard what terrible judgments fell upon their forefathers for this idolatry. Solomon's idolatry, however, had prepared the people for Jeroboam's abominations. Exodus 20:4, Deuteronomy 4:14-18, 2 Kings 10:29, 2 Kings 17:16, 2 Chronicles 11:15, Hosea 8:4-7, Hosea 10:5, Hosea 10:6

It is too much: Isaiah 30:10, 2 Peter 2:19

behold: Exodus 32:4, Exodus 32:8

Reciprocal: Leviticus 13:29 - General Deuteronomy 12:13 - General 1 Kings 14:9 - hast done 1 Kings 15:26 - walked 1 Kings 15:34 - walked 1 Kings 16:19 - in his 1 Kings 22:52 - and in the way 2 Kings 2:23 - Bethel 2 Kings 3:3 - General 2 Kings 14:24 - he departed 2 Kings 16:3 - he walked 2 Kings 17:8 - walked 2 Kings 17:21 - Jeroboam drave 2 Kings 23:15 - the altar 2 Chronicles 11:14 - Jeroboam 2 Chronicles 13:8 - with you golden 2 Chronicles 15:3 - a long 2 Chronicles 17:4 - not after 2 Chronicles 25:7 - for the Lord Job 34:30 - General Isaiah 31:7 - for a sin Isaiah 44:10 - General Isaiah 46:6 - lavish Jeremiah 48:13 - as the Ezekiel 16:15 - and playedst Ezekiel 23:8 - whoredoms Ezekiel 48:1 - Dan Daniel 3:1 - made Hosea 4:15 - Bethaven Hosea 10:8 - the sin Amos 8:14 - sin

Verse 29

Bethel: Genesis 12:8, Genesis 28:19, Genesis 35:1, Hosea 4:15

Dan: Genesis 14:14, Deuteronomy 34:1, Judges 18:29-31, Judges 20:1, 2 Kings 10:29, Jeremiah 8:16, Amos 8:14

Reciprocal: Joshua 18:22 - Bethel 1 Samuel 30:27 - Bethel 1 Kings 13:32 - the houses 1 Kings 15:20 - Dan 1 Kings 15:34 - walked 2 Kings 2:2 - Bethel 2 Kings 17:28 - in Bethel 2 Kings 23:4 - Bethel Jeremiah 48:13 - as the Ezekiel 48:1 - Dan Hosea 5:8 - Bethaven Amos 7:13 - for

Verse 30

became a sin: 1 Kings 13:34, 2 Kings 10:31, 2 Kings 17:21

Reciprocal: Judges 18:29 - Dan 1 Kings 14:16 - who did sin 2 Chronicles 17:4 - not after Acts 4:19 - to hearken

Verse 31

an house: 1 Kings 13:24, 1 Kings 13:32, Deuteronomy 24:15, Ezekiel 16:25, Hosea 12:11

priests: 1 Kings 13:33, Numbers 3:10, 2 Kings 17:32, 2 Chronicles 11:14, 2 Chronicles 11:15, 2 Chronicles 13:9, Ezekiel 44:6-8

Reciprocal: Judges 17:5 - consecrated Judges 17:12 - his priest 2 Kings 17:27 - one of the priests 2 Kings 23:19 - the houses Psalms 78:58 - with Hosea 8:14 - and buildeth Amos 7:10 - the priest

Verse 32

like unto: 1 Kings 8:2, 1 Kings 8:5, Leviticus 23:33, Leviticus 23:34-44, Numbers 29:12-40, Ezekiel 43:8, Matthew 15:8, Matthew 15:9

offered upon the altar: or, went up to the altar, sacrificing. or, to sacrifice. he placed. Amos 7:10-13

Reciprocal: Exodus 32:4 - calf Exodus 32:5 - a feast 1 Kings 12:33 - offered upon the altar 1 Kings 13:1 - Jeroboam Psalms 94:20 - frameth Jeremiah 2:20 - when upon Daniel 3:2 - sent Hosea 2:11 - her feast Amos 7:13 - for Amos 8:14 - sin

Verse 33

offered upon the altar: or, went up to the altar, etc. 1 Kings 12:32

in the month: Numbers 15:39, Psalms 106:39, Isaiah 29:13, Matthew 15:6, Mark 7:13

he offered: 1 Kings 13:1, 1 Samuel 13:12, 2 Chronicles 26:6

and burnt incense: Heb. to burn incense

Reciprocal: Exodus 32:5 - a feast 2 Kings 2:2 - Bethel 2 Chronicles 17:4 - not after 2 Chronicles 26:16 - to burn Ezekiel 4:5 - three Hosea 11:2 - burned