Rehoboam

king of Israel

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July 13, 2026

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Rehoboam was the king of Israel after his father, Solomon. According to the Hebrew Bible, the united kingdom of Israel split after Solomon's death due to Rehoboam's refusal to ease the heavy burdens imposed by his father's policies. The ten northern tribes, led by Jeroboam, revolted and established their own kingdom, while Rehoboam continued to rule the southern kingdom of Judah. This division marked the end of the united monarchy, which had lasted for about a century.123

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biblical literature
The divided monarchy
…bce), he was succeeded by Rehoboam, who proved to be unfit for the task of reigning. Prior to Solomon’s death, Jeroboam the Ephraimite, a young overseer of the forced labor battalions of the “house of Joseph” in the north, had encountered Ahijah, a prophet from the old shrine of the…
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…bce), he was succeeded by Rehoboam, who proved to be unfit for the task of reigning. Prior to Solomon’s death, Jeroboam the Ephraimite, a young overseer of the forced labor battalions of the “house of Joseph” in the north, had encountered Ahijah, a prophet from the old shrine of the…
Read More

Solomon
Decline of the kingdom
Solomon’s son and successor, Rehoboam, ill-advisedly adopted a harsh policy toward the northern tribes, which seceded and formed their own kingdom of Israel. This left the descendants of Solomon with the southern kingdom of Judah. Thus, Solomon’s empire was lost beyond recall, and even the homeland was split into…
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Solomon’s son and successor, Rehoboam, ill-advisedly adopted a harsh policy toward the northern tribes, which seceded and formed their own kingdom of Israel. This left the descendants of Solomon with the southern kingdom of Judah. Thus, Solomon’s empire was lost beyond recall, and even the homeland was split into…
Read More