For Study and Discussion. (1) The several incidents attending Solomon’s accession to the throne, I K. Chs. 1-2. (2) David’s last charge to Solomon, I K. Ch. 3; 4:29:34. (4) [sic] Solomon’s temple:  (a) Its size and plan; (b) Its equipment; (c) Its dedication. (5) Solomon’s prayer at the dedication of the temple, I K. Ch. 8:  II Chron.  Ch. 6.  Look for a revelation of his character, religious spirit and conception of God. (6) Solomon’s sins, I K. Ch. 11. (7) Solomon’s treatment of his foes I K, 2:19-46. (8).  What Solomon did to stimulate trade, I K. 9:26-10:13; 10:22-29. (9) Statements in Ecclesiastes that point to Solomon as author or to experiences he had. (10) Statements in Song of Solomon that throw light upon the times or seem to refer to Solomon and his experiences.

Chapter XIII.

The Divided Kingdom.

1 King, 12-2 K. 17. 2 Chron. 10-38.

The Division of the Kingdom.  Several things must be set down as contributory causes of the division of the nation. (1) There was an old jealousy between the tribes of the north and south reaching as far back as the time of the Judges.  The very difference in the northern and southern territories and their products tended to keep alive a rivalry between the tribes occupying them. (2) During the time of Solomon the people had turned away from Jehovah and engaged in the idolatrous worship of other gods, especially those of the Zidonians, Moabites and Ahijah, the prophet, had foretold the division (1 K. 11:29-39).  This weakening of the people’s faithfulness to God gave place for the manifestations of their former jealousy. (3) Solomon had put upon the people heavy burdens of taxation and of forced labor, which were fast taking away the people’s liberties and reducing them to serfdom.  This policy inflamed the jealousy of the northern tribes into a bitter discontent.  They would rebel rather than submit to the loss of their liberty which to them meant also disloyalty to God. (4) The ambition of Jeroboam, of the tribe of Ephraim, a valiant officer of Solomon, no doubt led him to stir up the ten tribes to revolt.  Ahijah, the prophet, had made known to him that, upon the death of Solomon, he should become the head of these tribes. (5) The final and immediate cause was the foolish course of Rehoboam.  He went to Shechem to be accepted as king by the northern tribes.  They demanded that he should relieve them of the heavy burdens laid on them by Solomon.  The older and more experienced men counseled him to grant their request, but he heeded the advice of the young men, who were ignorant of conditions, and answered them with a threat of even severer burdens.  Incensed by this foolish threat, the ten tribes revolted and enthroned Jeroboam as their king and the division of the empire was accomplished.  This was the turning point of the nation.  It was the undoing of all that had been accomplished by the three kings that had proceeded.