But rather than easing the people’s burdens, Rehoboam increases the yoke placed upon them, and the weight splits the kingdom asunder.Īct two follows the story of the northern ten tribes, who make up the Northern Kingdom and retain the name “Israel.” Tragically, the Northern Kingdom breaks away not simply from the political rule of the Davidic king but also from worship in Jerusalem’s Temple. In act one, Solomon’s son Rehoboam is made the new king of Israel. The period of the Divided Kingdom is recounted in three acts: the division of the kingdom, the resulting northern kingdom, and the resulting southern kingdom. With no enemies left in the land, Israel turns upon itself, raising the question, “Will peace ever reign over the land where Abraham sojourned?” David’s kingdom is rent asunder by the third generation, and from that point on it will be a kingdom divided. As a result, Rehoboam reaps a bitter harvest of division as he leads the kingdom of Israel into the chaos and dissolution of civil war. His son, like the sons of many tyrants, found it easy to imitate his father’s harshness but not so easy to grasp the political wisdom, or cunning, that would enable him to maintain power. Solomon’s constant consumption of Israel’s resources allowed him to build a great kingdom but at a heavy price to God’s people.

Solomon’s increasing infidelity sowed seeds of division throughout the land promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The Divided Kingdom period follows the continuing story of Scripture in the books of 1 Kings ( chapters 11-22) and 2 Kings. God was with them through it all helping his people to triumph. The tribe of Judah endures seventy years of exile, then returns to rebuild with the guidance of Zerubbabel, Ezra and Nehemiah. Assyria and Babylon force the divided kingdoms into exile. Despite warnings from many prophets, both kingdoms repeatedly turn from God. Not long after the reign of Saul, David and Solomon, the Kingdom of Israel is divided into two kingdoms.

Bible exile timeline