There was war between Rehoboam and Jeroboam all their days— But how does this agree with chap. 1 Kings 12:23, &c. where God commands Rehoboam and his people not to fight against the Israelites? We must observe, that though the Jews were commanded not to make war upon the Israelites, yet they were not commanded not to defend themselves in case the Israelites should make war upon them: and considering that they were now become two rival nations, they might upon the borders be continually endeavouring to gain ground upon each other, and so run into frequent acts of hostility without ever once engaging in a pitched battle.
REFLECTIONS.—The histories of the kingdom of Judah and Israel are throughout this book intermixed. Jeroboam's reign was near five years longer than Rehoboam's; but, to finish his history, his death is first recorded.
1. The account of Rehoboam contains nothing either great or good, but gives just suspicion, that the tenor of his government was as weak and wicked as the opening of it was rash and impolitic. He began his reign when, if ever, he might have been wise, at the age of forty-one, having enjoyed all the advantages of the best instruction; but he imitated his father's aged folly, rather than his early wisdom. He reigned (not half so long as his predecessors) but seventeen years, and these disturbed by perpetual wars or bickerings with his rival Jeroboam. His mother was an Ammonitess, a bad wife for a king of Israel; and her son partook more of the temper of Ammon, than the spirit of Abraham. Note; Ungodly connections often entail miseries on the latest posterity. He died at Jerusalem, where he reigned, and left the crown to Abijam, a bad son of a bad father.
2. The account of his subjects is bad, very bad. Led by his ill example, or not restrained by his negligence, far from being shocked at their neighbours' idolatry, they quickly imitated them, and committed abominations even beyond their fathers' worst days; provoking God to jealousy by their images and hill-altars, and forsaking the house of his glory; giving up their bodies to abominable and unnatural lusts, as well as their souls to spiritual adultery; imitating all the profane rites, and following all the detestable lewdness of the accursed Canaanites, whom God had cast out before them. Note; (1.) They grow most abandoned, who fall from the profession of religion that they once made. (2.) When men provoke God by their sins, he, in just judgment, gives them up to their own hearts' lusts. (3.) If Canaan for such things suffered, shall Israel escape? no, in no wise.
3. God begins his visitations for their sins, by giving them up to Shishak king of Egypt, who, in the fifth year of Rehoboam, after plundering the country, besieged Jerusalem, and was only to be bought off by the surrender of all the treasures which David and Solomon had amassed: such passing vanities are this world's riches!