REL 1004 Chapter : The Divided Kingdom
The Divided Kingdom
Feud between northern and southern followers since Saul and David.
Jeroboam
Ahiyah, a prophet, confirmed that his descendants would lose part of the kingdom
Solomon learned of the prophetic promise of Jeroboam by Ahiyah.
The political reason for the split between the two kingdoms is recorded in Kings
Rehoboam (southern boy, son of Solomon) at Shechem (northern city with a great religious shrine). He
goes to Shechem to be acclaimed as king. Jeroboam returns from Egypt where he had been in exile
trying to escape the death penalty given to him by Solomon. Rehoboam had an experienced group of
followers that served his father, then he turned to a group of young followers and they gave him
contrary advice. He should increase taxes. The king makes his first decision wrong because he chooses
to follow the advice given to him by his young followers. This announced policy was perceived as an act
prompted by God. The northern switched their loyalty from Jeroboam to Rehoboam.
Davidic dynasty
Jerusalem
Judah
Southern Kingdom
Various Dynasties
Samaria
Israel
Northern Kingdom
Ephraim- the largest tribe, it was a nation that witnessed that witnessed 4 different dynasties over 200
years.
922- the year of the death of Solomon and the date of the split into 2 kingdoms. The northern kingdom
lasts 200 years and witnesses 4 different dynasties. The southern kingdom lasts 335 years but will only
have 1 dynasty.
The calves of Jeroboam: negative view of Jeroboam due to a politic decision. The calf was sacred to
Egypt and used in sacrifices in Israel. The god Baal was portrayed as a bull. All later kings of Israel will be
evaluated. The prophets that give us this narrative believe the same sin committed by the people in the
desert was now being committed by Jeroboam. The 3 results of the golden calf: YHWH is confirmed as
the deity of Israel, Moses is affirmed as the official spokesman, people who rebelled or sinned against
this dies. Following the death of Solomon and the division of the nation into north and south, Jeroboam
is faced with a theological problem. The temple in Jerusalem was considered the center of worship.
Every adult male should go there 3 times a year and make a special sacrifice before God. Dan to Bethel –
entirety of the north.
Document Summary
Feud between northern and southern followers since saul and david. Ahiyah, a prophet, confirmed that his descendants would lose part of the kingdom. Solomon learned of the prophetic promise of jeroboam by ahiyah. The political reason for the split between the two kingdoms is recorded in kings. Rehoboam (southern boy, son of solomon) at shechem (northern city with a great religious shrine). He goes to shechem to be acclaimed as king. Jeroboam returns from egypt where he had been in exile trying to escape the death penalty given to him by solomon. Rehoboam had an experienced group of followers that served his father, then he turned to a group of young followers and they gave him contrary advice. The king makes his first decision wrong because he chooses to follow the advice given to him by his young followers. This announced policy was perceived as an act prompted by god. The northern switched their loyalty from jeroboam to rehoboam.
