The kingdom divides
1 Kings 12:1–24; 2 Chronicles 10–11; 1 Kings 11:29–39
When Solomon's son Rehoboam threatened even heavier burdens, the ten northern tribes broke away under Jeroboam, leaving Judah and Benjamin to the house of David.
When all Israel saw that the king didn’t listen to them, the people answered the king, saying, “What portion have we in David? We don’t have an inheritance in the son of Jesse. To your tents, Israel! Now see to your own house, David.” So Israel departed to their tents.
1 Kings 12:16 (World English Bible)
At Shechem the people asked Rehoboam to lighten the forced labor and taxes Solomon had imposed. The older advisers urged him to serve the people; his young friends told him to be harsher. He took their advice, and the north revolted.
Scripture says the split was from God, fulfilling Ahijah's prophecy to Jeroboam. From here on there are two kingdoms: Israel in the north and Judah in the south, with Jerusalem and David's line.
Places
JerusalemEgyptHebronBethlehemShechemGathLachishTekoaZorahAdullamAijalonMareshahZiphBeth-zurSocohAdoraimEtam
Dating notes
Ussher, 975 BC, the year of Solomon's death.