The breakup of the nation of Israel into two nations, Israel to the north and Judah to the south, is a significant event in biblical history. This occurred after the reign of King Solomon. Enemies would eventually overrun both nations. The northern 10 tribes would be driven out of their lands and disappear through their migration and genetic integration into the tribes of Europe. The southern two tribes would be exiled to Babylonia for 70 years. They would eventually return to Jerusalem and rebuild the Jewish nation as we know it today. What caused this breakup is important to understand.
King Solomon is known for his extensive building projects and trade initiatives. Funding for these projects came from taxes during his reign. The northern tribes were unhappy with the heavy taxes imposed by King Solomon. Taxation has a way of disrupting people’s lives. Solomon, who lived in Jerusalem, embarked on grand construction ventures, including building the Temple in Jerusalem and his palace and improvements to select cities throughout the kingdom. The northern kingdom saw Solomon’s taxes being used for the benefit of others. The result was nothing more than an early form of wealth redistribution. After Solomon’s death, there was contention over his successor. When Solomon’s son, Rehoboam, refused to lessen the tax burden, ten tribes left the Kingdom of Judah. Jeroboam (I) was the first king of the northern kingdom of Israel after their separation. Jeroboam was not from the line of David. He was one of Solomon’s administrators.
A prophet named Ahijah told Jeroboam to revolt and form a new kingdom. The biblical narrative in the book of 1 Kings indicates that God guided Ahijah’s actions due to Solomon’s worship of idols and his departure from following God’s commandments. Ahijah’s prophecy to Jeroboam was that God would give him ten of the twelve tribes of Israel to rule over because Solomon had forsaken God. The split was a divine judgment on the house of David for the nation’s idolatry. Ahijah symbolically tore a new cloak into twelve pieces and gave ten to Jeroboam, signifying the division of the kingdom. If Jeroboam followed God’s commands, his legacy would be as long as David’s. The story of Jeroboam is described in 1 Kings 11:26–14:20 and 2 Chronicles 9:29–13:20.
Jeroboam, who led the revolt against Rehoboam, went on to establish a new worship system for the ten tribes. He set up golden calves in Bethel and Dan, leading the people away from worshiping their God in Jerusalem. Jeroboam appointed priests from outside the tribe of Levi, which was against God’s commandments. He instituted a feast like the Feast of Tabernacles but on a different date, thus deviating from the prescribed religious practices. And Jeroboam became personally involved in idol worship, leading his people away from God into sin. These actions were in direct violation of God’s commands. This would lead to the spiritual downfall of the Northern Kingdom.
The Southern Kingdom of Judah, containing Jerusalem and the Jewish Temple, remained intact during this time. Afterward, Judah joined the Assyrian Empire’s new order. The Babylonian Empire would follow. However, Jewish revolts against the Babylonians led to the destruction of Judah in 586 BC, under the rule of Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar II.
Conclusion
When people are taxed but see no benefits, history tells us it leads to negative consequences. High taxation without perceived benefits discourages working, saving, investments, and innovation. Heavy taxation by Solomon to fund his ambitious projects created an initial economic burden for his people, leading to widespread discontent.
(1 Kings 12:12-16)1NIV New International Version Translations – “Three days later Jeroboam and all the people returned to Rehoboam, as the king had said, ‘Come back to me in three days.’ The king answered the people harshly. Rejecting the advice given him by the elders, he followed the advice of the young men and said, ‘My father made your yoke heavy; I will make it even heavier. My father scourged you with whips; I will scourge you with scorpions.’ So the king did not listen to the people, for this turn of events was from the Lord, to fulfill the word the Lord had spoken to Jeroboam son of Nebat through Ahijah the Shilonite. When all Israel saw that the king refused to listen to them, they answered the king: ‘What share do we have in David, what part in Jesse’s son? To your tents, Israel! Look after your own house, David!’ So the Israelites went home.”
At first, many of the projects sounded reasonable. For example, making the military stronger. Subsequent leaders, however, just kept the projects and spending going. In addition to financial taxes, thousands of Israelites were conscripted into unpaid labor forces, further exacerbating the burden on the populace. When government regulations strip citizens of their freedoms, social divisions come next. The wealth was used for the king’s grandeur rather than for the welfare of everyone. We see it today when benefits go to an elite group of people and are not shared. Heavy taxes and forced labor led to a loss of trust in the northern monarchy. Eventually, what was once a single kingdom would split into the northern and southern kingdoms.
Taxation is essential for a nation’s operations, but when it’s seen as unfair and not serving the public’s interests, it becomes a source of conflict. This was the case with Northern Israel, where unjust taxation slowed economic progress, bred public discontent, and created a sense of injustice among taxpayers who believed their contributions weren’t supporting local welfare or the common good. The resulting political turmoil prompted calls for policy and government reform, ultimately leading to the division of the nation. The lack of perceived benefits from taxes eroded trust in the monarchy, weakening the social contract. Consequently, when external threats emerged, the fragmented nations couldn’t unite for their collective defense—a historical lesson on the importance of equitable taxation.
Jeroboam (I) did not repent of his sins. Despite experiencing the consequences of his actions, such as the illness of his son and a direct challenge from a prophet of God, Jeroboam continued in his ways of idolatry and setting up an alternative religious system. “Even after this, Jeroboam did not change his evil ways, but once more appointed priests for the high places from all sorts of people. Anyone who wanted to become a priest he consecrated for the high places” (1 Kings 13:33). This lack of repentance ultimately led to the downfall of his house and became a pattern of wickedness for the northern kings.
Contemplations
- Can you think of any contemporary examples of this story?
- Ideas to Explore: Does our nation have patterns of wastefully spending its citizens’ taxes to benefit the elite? What about benefiting people outside our nation?
- Are you concerned about the divisiveness in our nation?
- Ideas to Explore: What do you think the risks are?
- Do you think that our leader(s) are leading us into sin?
- Ideas to Explore: Are you growing closer to God? Is it because of fear or love for our God?
- Where do you see our nation placing its hope?
- Ideas to Explore: Government, God, Money—what other ideas do you have?
- 1NIV New International Version Translations