18
Then King Rehoboam sent Adoram, who
was over the tribute, but all Israel stoned him with stones, and he died. Then King Rehoboam made speed to get into his chariot and flee to Jerusalem.
19
So Israel rebelled against the house of David unto this day.
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 were none that followed the house of David, but the tribe of Judah only.
21
And when Rehoboam came to Jerusalem, he assembled all the house of Judah, with the tribe of Benjamin, one hundred and eighty thousand chosen
men of war, to fight against the house of Israel, to bring the kingdom again to Rehoboam, the son of Solomon.
22
But the word of God came unto Shemaiah, the man of God, saying,
23
Speak unto Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, king of Judah, and unto all the house of Judah and Benjamin and to the remnant of the people, saying,
24
Thus hath the LORD said, Ye shall not go up nor fight against your brethren, the sons of Israel; return each one to his house, for this thing is from me. They hearkened, therefore, to the word of the LORD and returned to depart, according to the word of the LORD.
25
And Jeroboam rebuilt Shechem in Mount Ephraim and dwelt therein, and going out from there, rebuilt Penuel.
26
And Jeroboam said in his heart, Now shall the kingdom return to the house of David
27
if this people go up to sacrifice in the house of the LORD at Jerusalem; for the heart of this people shall turn again unto their lord,
even unto Rehoboam, king of Judah, and they shall kill me and go again to Rehoboam, king of Judah.
28
And having
taken counsel, the king made two calves of gold and said unto
the people, It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem; behold thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.