(3.) The same, probably, as Beth-rehob (2 Samuel 10:6, 8; Judges 18:28), a
place in the north of Palestine (Numbers 13:21). It is now supposed to be
represented by the castle of Hunin, south-west of Dan, on the road from
Hamath into Coele-Syria.
(4.) A town of Asher (Joshua 19:28), to the east of Zidon.
(5.) Another town of Asher (Joshua 19:30), kept possession of by the
Canaanites (Judges 1:31).
- REHOBOAM he enlarges the people, the successor of Solomon on the
throne, and apparently his only son. He was the son of Naamah “the
Ammonitess,” some well-known Ammonitish princess (1 Kings 14:21; 2
Chronicles 12:13). He was forty-one years old when he ascended the
throne, and he reigned seventeen years (B.C. 975-958). Although he was
acknowledged at once as the rightful heir to the throne, yet there was a
strongly-felt desire to modify the character of the government. The burden
of taxation to which they had been subjected during Solomon’s reign was
very oppressive, and therefore the people assembled at Shechem and
demanded from the king an alleviation of their burdens. He went to meet
them at Shechem, and heard their demands for relief (1 Kings 12:4). After
three days, having consulted with a younger generation of courtiers that
had grown up around him, instead of following the advice of elders, he
answered the people haughtily (6-15). “The king hearkened not unto the
people; for the cause was from the Lord” (comp. 11:31). This brought
matters speedily to a crisis. The terrible cry was heard (comp. 2 Samuel
20:1):
“What portion have we in David? Neither have we inheritance in the son
of Jesse: To your tents, O Israel: Now see to thine own house, David” (1
Kings 12:16).
And now at once the kingdom was rent in twain. Rehoboam was appalled,
and tried concessions, but it was too late (18). The tribe of Judah,
Rehoboam’s own tribe, alone remained faithful to him. Benjamin was
reckoned along with Judah, and these two tribes formed the southern
kingdom, with Jerusalem as its capital; while the northern ten tribes
formed themselves into a separate kingdom, choosing Jeroboam as their
king. Rehoboam tried to win back the revolted ten tribes by making war
against them, but he was prevented by the prophet Shemaiah (21-24; 2
Chronicles 11:1-4) from fulfilling his purpose. (See JEROBOAM.)