1 Kings 12:1-5

1 Kings 12:1-5

[1] And Rehoboam  to Shechem:  for all Israel  were come  to Shechem  to make him king.  [2] And it came to pass, when Jeroboam  the son  of Nebat,  who was yet in Egypt,  heard  of it, (for he was fled  from the presence  of king  Solomon,  and Jeroboam  dwelt  in Egypt;)  [3] That they sent  and called  him. And Jeroboam  and all the congregation  of Israel  came,  and spake  unto Rehoboam,  saying,  [4] Thy father  our yoke  grievous:  now therefore make thou the grievous  service  of thy father,  and his heavy  yoke  which he put  upon us, lighter,  and we will serve  [5] And he said  yet for three  days,  then come again  to me. And the people 

What does 1 Kings 12:1-5 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

It is not clear why the northern tribes had invited Rehoboam to the northern town of Shechem. They may have done so for a coronation over Israel separate from his coronation over Judah. [1] On the other hand, the northern tribes may have invited him to go there for his coronation over the entire nation. Jerusalem was the natural coronation site. Perhaps Rehoboam chose to hold the ceremony at Shechem to accommodate, and perhaps placate, the northern tribes. In any case, Shechem was an understandable site because of its historical significance and earlier covenant renewal ceremonies (cf. Genesis 12:6-7; Genesis 33:18-20; Joshua 8; Joshua 24).
The heavy yoke Solomon had imposed on the Israelites consisted of taxation, forced labor, and other burdens. If Solomon had exempted Judah from these, [2] the spokesmen were probably speaking for the northern tribes rather than for all the Israelites and were demanding similar favors. [3]