Who was heir to the throne after Solomon's death?
After Solomon died, his son Rehoboam was the natural heir apparent to Israel’s throne. The kingdom Solomon had built was glorious but had burdened ordinary taxpayers, and Rehoboam immediately faced the elders of Israel, who reminded him of that costly legacy.
Les explains that Solomon, though starting as a godly king, ended with 900 pagan wives and altars all over Israel, setting the stage for the fall and demise of God’s covenant people. After Solomon died, his son Rehoboam was naturally heir apparent to the throne. Rehoboam came on the scene, and immediately the elders of Israel told him that his father had built a great and glorious kingdom, but at the expense of the ordinary taxpayer. Les compares that burden to modern tax increases, noting that for every dollar taxes were raised, a dollar and 83 cents was spent.