Rehoboam's pride led him into further trouble. He wanted to start a civil war to recapture the throne. Benjamin joined with Judah at this time and remained allied from then on (cf. 2 Sam. 19:16-17). God had to intervene through a prophet to get Rehoboam to turn back (vv. 22-24).130To his credit Rehoboam obeyed God.
"Shemaiah's message goes against the perceived national interest, opposes a popular cause, and stifles the impulse to avenge wounded pride. But Shemaiah was a man of God before he was a man of Judah. His loyalty to God transcended that to king and country. His identity came from his relationship to God, not from society. He served God rather than the state. In short, he was a prophet."131
"Rehoboam is harsh, despotic, and autocratic, but the worst part is that he is also stupid and incompetent."132
There were several reasons for the division of the kingdom. The primary one was Solomon's apostasy. However tribal jealousy, sectionalism, and Solomon's exploitation of the people were contributing causes.133
