16 When all Israel saw that the king did not listen to them, the people answered the king , saying , "What portion do we have in David ? We have no inheritance in the son of Jesse ; To your tents , O Israel ! Now look after your own house , David !" So Israel departed to their tents . 17 But as for the sons of Israel who lived in the cities of Judah , Rehoboam reigned over them. 18 Then King Rehoboam sent Adoram , who was over the forced labor , and all Israel stoned him to death . And King Rehoboam made haste to mount his chariot to flee to Jerusalem . 19 So Israel has been in rebellion against the house of David to this day . 20 It came about when all Israel heard that Jeroboam had returned , that they sent and called him to the assembly and made him king over all Israel . None but the tribe of Judah followed the house of David . 21 Now when Rehoboam had come to Jerusalem , he assembled all the house of Judah and the tribe of Benjamin , 180,000 e e chosen men who were warriors , to fight against the house of Israel to restore the kingdom to Rehoboam the son of Solomon .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Kings 12:16-21
Commentary on 1 Kings 12:16-24
(Read 1 Kings 12:16-24)
The people speak unbecomingly of David. How soon are good men, and their good services to the public, forgotten ! These considerations should reconcile us to our losses and troubles, that God is the Author of them, and our brethren the instruments: let us not meditate revenge. Rehoboam and his people hearkened to the word of the Lord. When we know God's mind, we must submit, how much soever it crosses our own mind. If we secure the favour of God, not all the universe can hurt us.