1 Kings 12:16 tells us of the people’s reaction to Rehoboam’s refusal to agree to their request. It is a safe assumption that they chose Jeroboam, son of Nebat, as their spokesman at this point. This is the fulfillment of the Lord’s declaration that he would tear the ten tribes of Israel from the Solomonic dynasty. God intended that as an act of divine judgment, there would be a separation between Israel and Judah.
Did Israel go beyond the mandate God gave them? Does the language speak of a separation, or does it speak also of a repudiation? The language used is more ominous than the casual reader might imagine. What portion do we have in David?
they say. Then they answer their question by saying, We have no inheritance in the son of Jesse.
The Lord told Solomon that he was going to judge him, and the only mention of David was in the mitigation of the judgment. To repudiate David had serious consequences; it is the repudiation of the promise ratified by divine oath that one of David’s descendants would sit upon his throne forever. This is the inheritance of the son of Jesse, and a reference to the Messiah, who would redeem his people. The repudiation of David’s inheritance was a repudiation of their portion in God’s Messiah. It is a denial of the Saviour.
We do not have to wait for the building of the two places of false worship. Already in the very act of separation, we have the harbinger of disobedience and rejection by Israel of the God of Israel and the salvation he has offered in Jesus Christ (David’s greater Son)!
Nevertheless, the people’s going to their tents constituted the separation of Israel and Judah. Yet, as we shall see, Rehoboam was not yet convinced of the separation.
16 Lorsque tout Israël vit que le roi ne l'écoutait pas, le peuple répondit au roi: Quelle part avons-nous avec David? Nous n'avons point d'héritage avec le fils d'Isaï! A tes tentes, Israël! Maintenant, pourvois à ta maison, David! Et Israël s'en alla dans ses tentes.