10:1 Solomon's son, Rehoboam, traveled to Shechem to be anointed as the new king. As we know from reading the books of Kings, this was the beginning of a split between the northern tribes (Israel) and the southern tribes (Judah). Solomon was not able to inspire the same faith and cohesion as David and neither was his son able.
10:2-4 The people of Israel brought their case of hardship to Rehoboam. They felt their labor was too arduous, the taxation too high. The offered their service to him as king if he would make reforms that supported them.
10:5 Rehoboam asked for three days of deliberation. Although he did not end up making the right choice, Rehoboam did not outright lie or make false promises, either. He wanted to consider the problem and solutions before promising anything to Israel.
10:6 Wisely, Rehoboam consulted the same elders that advised Solomon.
10:7 The elders are honest with Rehoboam and provide simple advice: serve the people and they will loyally serve you, listen to their plight and respond to it as an advocate for their well-being. It sounds simple but so many of us are resistant to a life of service; instead, we want power and fame and wealth.
10:8 He rejected the advice. Rehoboam was poised to become king: perhaps the authority of the position meant more to him than the service and responsibility required by it. Humanity dreams often of a throne but rarely to be a pillar. We dream of rest, not work. But these blessed positions God places us in require work. It was Rehoboam's responsibility to work for the people, to lighten their financial and physical burden so that they too could do their spiritual work.
10:9 Rehoboam next consulted the younger men he had grown up with. Rehoboam knew the selfish answer he was looking for, but he was too cowardly to make the decision on his own. He wanted someone else to suggest it, someone to validate his desire to reject the people. He found that support.
10:10-11 Rehoboam's cohorts suggested that he rule as a harsh dictator. Rehoboam refused to be dictated to by the people (even though it was his responsibility to hear and respond productively to their troubles). How often do people take advantage of their position? It is an ugly and selfish choice and goes directly against God's instruction to serve rather than be served, Matthew 20:28.
10:12-14 The people returned after three days and Rehoboam answered them cruelly. He denied their plea.
10:15-16 The fissure between the twelve tribes broke apart and as God prophesied, Jeroboam would become king over the other piece of them. Suddenly the northern tribes felt permanently disconnected from Judah, David's line.
10:17-19 Rehoboam attempted to retain full control of the tribes but Israel stoned his man, Hadoram (collector of revenue). Rehoboam fled back to Jerusalem (effectively leaving Israel's northern territory). Notice how quickly a strong and prosperous kingdom became to crumble when its leaders defected from God. Selfish choices fracture while selfless ones heal.
