The result was the division of the kingdom: the ten northern tribes seceded under Jeroboam, leaving Rehoboam with only Judah and Benjamin.
In the biblical record, Rehoboam rejected the elders' counsel and told Israel that he would add to their burden (1 Kings 12:14). The people responded by declaring they had no portion in David and departed to their tents (1 Kings 12:16). Les Feldick's teaching on this period likewise describes how Jeroboam 'seceded' and became the first king of the northern ten tribes, while the southern kingdom remained under the house of David.
1 Kings 12:16 — This verse records the immediate result: all Israel rejected David's house and departed, leaving the kingdom divided.
When Rehoboam answered the people, he said, 'My father made your yoke heavy, and I will add to your yoke: my father also chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions' (1 Kings 12:14). The people's response was immediate: 'What portion have we in David? neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse: to your tents, O Israel: now see to thine own house, David. So Israel departed unto their tents' (1 Kings 12:16). The result was complete political separation. Scripture records that when Israel heard Jeroboam had returned, they 'made him king over all Israel: there was none that followed the house of David, but the tribe of Judah only' (1 Kings 12:20).
Les Feldick explains the division as what Solomon's spiritual decline had set in motion. He notes that Solomon, despite his godly start, 'was setting the stage again for the fall and the demise of God's covenant people' (Clip 0). When Rehoboam came to the throne, the elders of Israel appealed to him, but the outcome was a split kingdom. In teaching on the divided kingdom, Les identifies Jeroboam as 'the first king of the northern kingdom' and says he 'was the one who seceded' (Clip 1). He shows the northern ten tribes facing the southern two (Clip 2). He then traces the later history: the northern kingdom went into captivity and became a wasteland, and Judah followed about 150 years later into idolatry and captivity (Clips 4 and 5).
In Les Feldick's teaching, the northern ten tribes under Jeroboam were eventually taken captive and many were removed from the land (Clip 5). He also points out that over the years many Israelites migrated from the northern kingdom into the south, so that the later Babylonian captivity involved not just two tribes but all twelve (Clips 2 and 3).
Les notes that at the time of Abijah, the southern kingdom of Judah and Benjamin could raise only 400,000 troops, while the northern kingdom had 800,000 (Clip 1). Yet over time the population shifted: many in the north moved south, so the later numbers reversed, with the southern kingdom fielding over a million troops while the north could only field 580,000 (Clip 2).
Scripture records Rehoboam's harsh answer: he promised to make the yoke heavier (1 Kings 12:14). The people's reply was to disown the house of David and depart, and they then made Jeroboam king over all Israel (1 Kings 12:16, 20).
Rehoboam on the Scene
Les shows that Solomon's pagan wives and altars set the stage for the fall, and that Rehoboam then came to the throne as Solomon's son and heir apparent.
Jeroboam's Secession
Les identifies Jeroboam as the first king of the northern kingdom and the one who seceded, and he illustrates the division with Abijah's 400,000 men against Jeroboam's 800,000.
Ten Tribes vs. Two
Les points out that the north had ten tribes and the south only two, and he shows that over time the population balance shifted as Israelites moved south.
All Twelve Tribes to Babylon
Les teaches that because of migration, the Babylonians took all twelve tribes captive, not just the two southern tribes.
Northern Captivity and Judah's Fall
Les shows that about 150 years after the northern kingdom was taken and left desolate, Judah also fell into idolatry and was taken captive.
Northern Kingdom Taken Captive
Les indicates that the northern kingdom was removed from God's sight, and he draws a warning for America from that judgment.
The Lost Ten Tribes of Israel — What the Bible Really Says
And then when you finally get to the place, and let me think for a moment, I think that's in 1 Kings 20, verse 27. Let's go back and see if that's the one I want. 1 Kings, yeah, 1 Kings 20, verse 27. Now, by the time we get toward the end of the history of the northern 10 tribes, look how they have been so depleted in numbers. So that verse 27 says, "...
What Saves You? Head Knowledge vs. Heart Belief
Reuben was the eldest. He should have been here. But he was, again, an immoral person. You remember, he was the one who had a relationship with his father's wife or concubine or something. But anyway, Judah now takes the place of leadership, and of course the other reason, who comes out of the tribe of Judah? Christ does.
1 Kings 12:14: And spake to them after the counsel of the young men, saying, My father made your yoke heavy, and I will add to your yoke: my father also chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.
This quotes Rehoboam's actual decision to increase the people's burden.
1 Kings 12:16: So when all Israel saw that the king hearkened not unto them, the people answered the king, saying, What portion have we in David? neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse: to your tents, O Israel: now see to thine own house, David. So Israel departed unto their tents.
This shows the immediate result: Israel rejected David's house and departed.
1 Kings 12:20: And it came to pass, when all Israel heard that Jeroboam was come again, that they sent and called him unto the congregation, and made him king over all Israel: there was none that followed the house of David, but the tribe of Judah only.
This records that only Judah followed the house of David, making Jeroboam king over the rest.
The ten northern tribes rejected the house of David and made Jeroboam their king. Only Judah and Benjamin remained under Rehoboam's rule (1 Kings 12:16, 20).
Les points to the secession of the northern kingdom under Jeroboam and the long-term consequences: the north went into captivity, and Judah later followed about 150 years afterward.
Les teaches that many from the northern tribes migrated south over the years, so that when Babylon came, all twelve tribes were represented among the captives.
Watch the Teaching: Why Israel Rejected God as King — 1 Samuel 8 Explained