📖 Biblical Definition
Solomon's son and successor as king over a unified Israel. At his coronation in Shechem, the people asked him to lighten the heavy yoke Solomon had laid on them. Rehoboam consulted the old men, who counseled gentleness; he then consulted the young men with whom he had grown up, who counseled harshness. He followed the young men: my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions. Ten tribes seceded, forming the Northern Kingdom under Jeroboam. Rehoboam was left with Judah and Benjamin.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
REHOBOAM, n.
expand to see more
A scriptural proper name; the first king of Judah after the division of the kingdom.
📖 Key Scripture
1 Kings 12:7 — "If thou wilt be a servant unto this people this day, and wilt serve them, and answer them, and speak good words to them, then they will be thy servants for ever."
1 Kings 12:11 — "My father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions."
1 Kings 12:19 — "So Israel rebelled against the house of David unto this day."
2 Chronicles 12:14 — "And he did evil, because he prepared not his heart to seek the Lord."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Modern leaders often consult their peers and ignore elders; Rehoboam lost ten tribes by the same instinct.
expand to see more
1 Kings 12 is one of the most expensive bad-counsel decisions in history. Rehoboam consulted the old men first; they gave him wise counsel: serve the people and they will serve you forever. He rejected the wisdom and asked the young men with whom he had grown up; they gave him swagger. He followed the swagger and lost ten tribes that very day. The kingdom never reunited.
Modern leaders often replicate Rehoboam's instinct — consult peers; reject elders; choose the response that flatters self. The Lord prepared this division for other reasons (1 Kgs 11:11-13), but Rehoboam was the human instrument of his own folly. Listen to wise old men. Test counsel against Scripture. Do not be Rehoboam.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Hebrew/Greek roots below.
expand to see more
H7346 — Rechavam — Rehoboam
Usage
"Modern leaders consult peers and ignore elders; Rehoboam lost ten tribes."
"The young men gave him swagger; the old men gave him wisdom; he chose swagger."
"Listen to wise old men; test counsel against Scripture."