And it came to pass, when Rehoboam had established the kingdom, and had strengthened himself, he forsook the law of the LORD, and all Israel with him.
When Rehoboam ... had strengthened himself - (see the note at 2 Chronicles 11:17.) During the first three years of his reign his royal influence was exerted in the encouragement of the true religion, but the faithful observance of the divine law was not permanent even in Judah. Security and ease led to religious decline, which in the fourth year, ended in open apostasy. The example of the court was speedily followed by his subjects, because 'all Israel was with him' - i:e., the people in his own kingdom. The very next year-namely, the fifth of his reign-punishment was inflicted by the in vasion of Shishak.