Listen "#199 | The Rebellion Against Rehoboam: Like father like son"
Episode Synopsis
In this episode, we explore the explosive moment in Israel’s history when the northern tribes, led by Jeroboam, revolt against Rehoboam, Solomon’s son. At the heart of their complaint is a surprising indictment: Solomon’s reign, for all its glory, left behind a legacy of unbearable burdens. This moment exposes the darker side of Solomon’s leadership—one built on forced labor and heavy taxation—and sets the stage for a national rupture.We unpack Jeroboam’s plea for relief and examine Rehoboam’s disastrous decision to reject the wisdom of his father’s older advisers—men who understood that a king’s role was to serve the people. Instead, he listened to his privileged peers, young aristocrats far removed from the people’s pain. The result? The kingdom fractures, fulfilling what the narrator of 1 Kings reveals as God’s hidden hand at work—disciplining the house of David for their covenant unfaithfulness.But the story doesn’t end there. We then turn to the words of Jesus in Matthew 11:28–30, where another King of Israel speaks—not to demand more, but to offer rest. Unlike Solomon and Rehoboam, Jesus invites the weary to come under his yoke—a yoke that is easy and a burden that is light. Unlike Rehoboam who perpetuated the sins of his father, Jesus the Son of God advances the ways of his Father, establishing himself as the King of Israel who leads people into rest. We close by reflecting on what it means to walk with God under the yoke of Jesus—how learning from him brings rest to our souls, not exhaustion. It’s a call to reimagine discipleship, not as religious performance, but as restful obedience under the care of a just and gracious King.Key Passages:1 Kings 12:1-15Matthew 11:28-30Explainer Video on how to use www.biblehub.com and www.blueletterbible.orgLeave us a question or comment at our website podcast page.* Intro Music: "Admirable" Carlos Herrera Music