August 14, 2025 • 28 mins
# 215 - Israel Divided - In this episode of The Chosen People with Yael Eckstein, Solomon’s wisdom built a golden kingdom, but his heart’s drift toward idols set the stage for its collapse. In this episode, witness the slow unraveling of Israel’s greatest king and the sobering truth that blessings without faithfulness will not stand.
Episode 215 of The Chosen People with Yael Eckstein is inspired by the Book of Joshua.
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For more information about Yael Eckstein and IFCJ visit https://www.ifcj.org/
Today's opening prayer is inspired by Micah 6:8, He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?
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Show Notes:
(01:34) Intro with Yael Eckstein
(02:55) Israel Divided
(23:08) Reflection with Yael Eckstein
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Previously on the chosen people.
Speaker 2 (00:03):
What God has given you? Did he tell you to
build those asheripoles? How about the altar to Milcombe. Have
you heard their screams? Solomon?
Speaker 3 (00:16):
What screams?
Speaker 2 (00:18):
The screams of the children they sacrifice on those altars?
You allowed them to build children, Solomon, my.
Speaker 4 (00:28):
King, the northern tribes grow restless. Jerreboam, who has successfully
evaded our assassins, is now reported to be in exile
in Egypt, but his name is everywhere. They are rallying
around him.
Speaker 1 (00:42):
To the right of the temple mount in the distance,
he could see firelight. Another festival to Molik was being held.
Solomon could hear the drums, the women, and the crying
of infants, drunken rituals, idle worship, child sacrifice.
Speaker 3 (01:02):
Because you have done this, because you have turned your
heart from me, because you have chased after the gods
of your wives, and because you have not kept my
covenant and my statutes as your father David did, I
will tear the kingdom from your hands and give it
(01:23):
to your servant. Now, your enemy, Jeriboem.
Speaker 5 (01:29):
What have I done?
Speaker 6 (01:36):
Salmon built the kingdom with wisdom his son He tried
to hold it together with fear cello, my friends from
here in the holy land of Israel, i'm l extein
with international fellowship of Christians and Jews, and welcome to
the Chosen People. What does it take to hold a
kingdom together? Is it might wisdom, lineage, or is it
(01:58):
something less glamorous like trust. In today's episode, drawn from
First Kings, Chapter twelve, we step into a moment of unrest.
King Solomon the Builder, the dreamer, the man of a
thousand Proverbs, is gone, and what remains is his house,
a divided house, splintering beneath the weight of ambition and memory. Rehobam,
(02:22):
his son has inherited the throne, but not the love
of the people. And from the north a new voice rises,
one who speaks not of lineage, but of burdens, one
who carries not gold but grievance. This is not an
easy story, but it's a story of decisions, that echo
of power that is tested, of a legacy that is unraveling.
(02:45):
This Bible story will ask hard questions about leadership, about loyalty,
about what it means to rule and be ruled.
Speaker 1 (02:58):
King Solomon the Wise went the way of all men,
whether they be kings or servants, tyrants or priests, the
fate of all remains the same. Solomon left a gleaming
empire behind, but for all its glamor, it teetered on
the brink of chaos and war. The children of Israel
(03:21):
were crushed under the weight of taxes and conscripted labor.
As a result, they had little faith left in their rulers.
They had given their gold and their sons to build
the wealthy king's magnificent city, and now they wondered if
it had all been for nothing. Unlike his father, Solomon
(03:43):
left no grand deathbed speeches, no impassioned final blessings. He
died as the pagan kings did, surrounded by his wealth,
his concubines, his courtiers, and his progenies, squabbling over their
place in the power a vacuum he left behind. His
burial procession was as glamorous as his reign. But even
(04:07):
then the cries of mourners and sounding of the dirge
were swallowed by the relentless clang of chisels and hammers.
Israel was still building. Only one woman stood apart from
the clamor Abishag, the Shulamite, His first.
Speaker 4 (04:24):
And only love.
Speaker 1 (04:27):
She grieved not only for the man he was, but
for the man he could have been. His gift had
become his pride. His wisdom had made him blind, his
hunger for more had led him down the path of destruction.
Solomon's son, Rhea Boham inherited the kingdom, the wealth, the throne,
(04:49):
but not the wisdom. When the time for a coronation came,
it was decided that it would take place in Shechem,
in the North, not Jerusalem. Shechem was a city steeped
in Israel's history. It was the site of Abraham's first altar,
the resting place of Joseph, and the valley where the
(05:11):
nation once reaffirmed its covenant with Yahweh, a symbolic location
and a strategic one because this was ephraim might Land,
the heart of Israel's territories, and it was here that
the North would make its demands, And because the South
was clinging to its remaining sovereignty over the kingdom made
(05:35):
up of twelve tribes, the decision was made for them
to leave the grandeur and safety of the capital and
venture north. But as Rioboam and his entourage set out,
Jeroboam returned from Egyptian exile, the prodigal son of Ephraim,
champion of the northern tribes, had arrived to stake his claim.
(05:57):
He stood before Rioboham and all the tribal leaders of Israel,
pleading the case of the North.
Speaker 7 (06:05):
Your majesty, we have come before you, not as rebels,
but as your loyal subjects. We have built your father cities, harvestedisfields,
paid his tribute, but as yoke was heavy upon us, Ria.
Speaker 1 (06:17):
Boham shifted on his makeshift throne in the cramped hall.
He stood, flanked by his advisers that his right was Beniah.
The other standing nearby was a Donnium, the stern and
sour overseer of conscripted labor. Beside them stood his mother, Neaemah,
(06:37):
now reigning as Gabeira queen mother, and his favorite wife Macha,
whispering in his ear, maneuvering him to suit her own ambitions.
Their son and heir, Abi Jam, sat close by his
scheming mother's design. And then, of course, there were Riar
Boham's spoiled young companions, arrogant and titled men who grew
(07:01):
up with him in the palace, ready to blindly lead
him astray. Jeroboam, despite having been exiled in Egypt these
past few years, could see their pretentious royal pride laid
before him. Plainly, it was important that Jeroboam lived up
to being the man of the people. He did not
(07:22):
have high hopes for the outcome of this gathering, but
he was certain of one thing. It would seal both
his fate and Ria Boam's forever, and all of Israel
would bear witness.
Speaker 7 (07:36):
And so I come to you, your majesty, and I
ask that you lighten the burden your father placed on us.
Do this, and we will serve you as our key.
Speaker 1 (07:46):
There was a long pause. Rio Boham leaned back, eyes
flicking to his council. He was painfully unaware of how
important this request was. Markha narrowed Herrizon shook her head
almost imperceptibly at her husband's questioning look. Their son Abijam
(08:07):
loudly scoffed at Jeroboam's request. Their reactions solified Ria Boham's answer.
Speaker 8 (08:14):
You ask me to weaken my father's rule.
Speaker 7 (08:18):
We ask for justice and the right to return to
our homes.
Speaker 1 (08:23):
Murmurs from the crowd, stirred at that Ria Boam hesitated,
unsure of what to do. His wife leaned over and
whispered in his ear.
Speaker 2 (08:35):
Three days, keep them waiting, make them beg for your favor.
Speaker 1 (08:41):
Rio Boam nodded and stood.
Speaker 8 (08:44):
Leave me return in three days, and you'll have my answer.
Speaker 1 (08:50):
Grumbles of frustration rippled through the hall, but the northern
leaders bowed stiffly and withdrew. Jeroboam's smile curled. Ria Boam's
obvious indecision would only solidify Jeroboam's claim to the throne.
The kingdom was slipping through his fingers, and he didn't
(09:10):
even know it. Jeroboam turned, following his fellow tribesmen out
of the hall. In three days, Israel would not decide
its future. Its future had already been decided. Ria Boham's
fingers anxiously tapped the table in front of him as
(09:31):
his advisers laid out their cases before him again. They
were divided into two camps, the elders who served Solomon
and the younger nobles who grew up alongside Ria Boam. Beniah,
the old general, pleaded the case of the elders.
Speaker 4 (09:50):
Your majesty, if today you serve the people, they will
serve you forever. But if you speak harshly, they will
turn against you.
Speaker 1 (10:01):
Ria Boham's son Abijam scoffed and interjected on behalf of
the younger group.
Speaker 5 (10:08):
You don't truly think that people would turn against the
House of David, do you. My great grandfather united us,
and my grandfather made us all rich. The people won't forget.
Speaker 1 (10:19):
That the old general winced at the young prince's wilful arrogance,
but kept trying for reason anyway.
Speaker 4 (10:28):
Yes, Prince Abajan, I'm sure that people remember their heritage,
but people also tend to bow to what is right
in front of them under duress. King Solomon's rule was
great but costly. My King, Ria Boham, if I may,
I think you should heed your father's elders and hear
(10:48):
our council. Perhaps your greatness will be found in wisdom
as well, not oppression.
Speaker 1 (10:56):
Ria Boham's mother, Naamarh rose to her son's defense and
snapped at Beniah from across the table from her seat
at her son's right hand.
Speaker 9 (11:06):
My son has already found his greatness, ben and Ayah.
I prayed to the God of my people that Rehebaum
would be king after his father and twice as powerful
with the kingdom he inherited and Milcom has delivered. I
don't understand why these northerners haven't just ground Rehebboam and
made it official by now we marched all the way
(11:27):
up here.
Speaker 5 (11:28):
Why the delay?
Speaker 4 (11:30):
Pardon any offense, Gabirah, but I just wanted to ensure
there is a peaceful transfer of power for your son.
Speaker 1 (11:37):
Naomar waved off the general dismissively and leaned in toward
her son.
Speaker 9 (11:43):
You are not just your father's son, Rehebboem, you are
my son. I prayed to Milkom that you would rule,
and he has answered. Do not insult the gods by
squandering what they have given.
Speaker 1 (11:58):
From Ria Boham's other side, Macha entered the fray with
her signature flattery that had earned her the spot of
favored wife and future queen mother.
Speaker 10 (12:11):
My husband has the wisdom of his father, and he
has the power bestowed upon him by Ashira, the god
of my people, My love, who has been loyal to you,
the people or the one sitting at this table. Your
father built this kingdom. We stand on his foundation. What
(12:34):
good is love from men who forget their place? King
Rihoboam will do what he thinks is right, and we
will all support him without question.
Speaker 1 (12:46):
Marka punctuated her final words with a threatening stare in
Benia's direction. Her carefully crafted security rode on her ability
to keep everyone obeying her husband's words. Marker had worked
to secure her position as the favored wife of Ria
Boham and her son as the heir. She was not
(13:07):
about to upset it now. Ria Boham frowned, but did
not answer. He turned to the younger nobles he grew
up with, with his son abi Jam leading the charge
of their shared opinion.
Speaker 5 (13:22):
Father, you're not truly considering bending lilies.
Speaker 1 (13:26):
Oh, the younger nobles laughed. Ria Boham's pride stung, but
he looked between the two groups of advisers, his supportive
mother and wife in between. They only wanted to see
him in power. They didn't care how he did it.
Speaker 5 (13:45):
Grandfather ruled with iron, and you would rule straw.
Speaker 1 (13:51):
Laughter irerupted from the young nobles again, landing harshly on
Ria Boham's ears. He forced a smirk to mirror his son,
but something twisted in his gut. His fingers tightened around
the edge of the table, his father's legacy, his burden
pressed heavily on his shoulders.
Speaker 5 (14:12):
Tell them your little fingers thicker than your father's waist.
Tell them, my father scourged you with whips, but I'll
scorge you with scorpions. Show them your power. If you
show them anything less, they won't fear you.
Speaker 1 (14:26):
Rio Beouham nodded with a gleam in his eye at
his son's words. Tempted, but he was determined to consider
all his options like father would have done.
Speaker 8 (14:38):
Leave me.
Speaker 1 (14:39):
The advisers rose bowed and departed the room. The older
ones seemed eager to excuse themselves, while the younger seemed
to put out that they didn't receive affirmation right away
for their extreme stance. His mother swept from the room
with an encouraging squeeze on his arm, while his wife
(15:01):
lingered with a questioning look in her eye.
Speaker 8 (15:04):
You can go, my love. This is a decision I must.
Speaker 2 (15:07):
Make alone, as you say, my love.
Speaker 1 (15:12):
When he was alone in the dusty hall, rio bhe sighed,
running his hands over his round face. He had long
relied on his father's guidance, his feigned wisdom, but now
that it was all on him, he hesitated. This decision
would define his reign.
Speaker 8 (15:33):
Should I be feared and powerful like my son and
my friend's advice, carrying out my father's legacy. Should I
give in to the people's demands and become beloved by them?
Then would I be spitting in the face of what
my father built?
Speaker 1 (15:53):
Ria Boone stood and paced around the ancient table in
the dimly lit hall. Solomon had toiled to give his
son stability and prosperity, but the endeavors had also pulled
him away. Rio Boham knew he should be grateful for
the easy, privileged life he had been afforded, but he
often resented his father for the long hours devoted to
(16:16):
building his empire and writing and debating with men with
whom Riobouham had nothing in common. And so he had
become his mother's creature, worshiping her gods, basking in the
light of her praise and aspirations, and dreaming about the
day that he would become the man in charge at last.
Speaker 8 (16:37):
What kind of king? Should I be? King of wisdom
or a king of power? My father built this kingdom,
but they resent him for it, and now they want
me to be weaker than him.
Speaker 1 (16:53):
He stopped his pacing and gripped the edge of the table.
He longed to build a legacy like his father, in
spite of his father's.
Speaker 8 (17:02):
Perhaps, no, I will not. I was born to rule.
King is feared, not questioned. If my father was a
king of wisdom, then I will be a king of power.
If he built with a hammer, then I will rule
with an iron fist. This kingdom is mine mine, they
(17:25):
will know it.
Speaker 1 (17:28):
On the third morning, the tribes of Israel once more
gathered before Rio Boam, with Jeroboam at their helm. Jeroboam's
calculating eyes took in everything. Rio Boham rose and puffed
out his chest, ready to give his answer. Jeroboam fought
the urge to roll his eyes at the display of
(17:50):
self importance, but he knew the eyes of the North
were upon him too. They would follow his reaction to
Rio Boham's proclamation.
Speaker 8 (18:00):
You'll say my father was harsh. You mean now, my
little finger is thicker than my father's waist.
Speaker 1 (18:10):
Outrage rippled through the crowd. Jeroboam expected this, but he
was surprised that he was clenching his jaw and balling
his fists.
Speaker 8 (18:19):
Nonetheless, my father disciplined you with whips, but I will
discipline you with scorpions.
Speaker 1 (18:29):
There was a long, deadly silence. Jeroboam stared, stunned by
the sheer ignorance before him. Scorpions. The word alone sent
a shudder down his spine. He had seen the scorpions
before in Egypt. They were more than whips. They were
tools of torture and bloodshed, long wooden handles, thick leather lashes,
(18:55):
and shards of jagged metal woven in between. He had
watched men's backs split open like parchment, flesh curling away
to expose raw muscle, sometimes even bone. And now Ria
Boham had invoked that image. Here he threatened the very
(19:16):
men whose backs had built Solomon's empire, the very men
Ria Boam hoped to rule.
Speaker 8 (19:27):
Did I say something to amuse you?
Speaker 7 (19:31):
Oh, forgive me, it's just funny. I believe I heard
something similar from Pharaoh in Egypt.
Speaker 8 (19:39):
What are you getting at?
Speaker 7 (19:42):
We were slaves once Aobam, never again.
Speaker 1 (19:48):
The hall was tense. Every man at Jeroboam's back fixed
Riar Boam and his ilk with lethal stairs. Then from
the crowd of northerners, the words of an old battle
cry rang out over the strained silence.
Speaker 8 (20:05):
What portion do we have in David? We have no
inheritance in the son of Jesse.
Speaker 9 (20:12):
Israel.
Speaker 8 (20:13):
Return to your tents. The sons of David can look
after their own house.
Speaker 1 (20:20):
Jeroboam saw a glimmer of panic cross before Rio Boham's eyes.
There was stillness for another fraught heartbeat, and then chaos.
Jeroboam peeled back into the crowd that was handed a club.
The northerners at the far end of the hall exploded
with fury and sprang forward past the tribal leaders and
(20:43):
toward the royal family and advisers, but they were swiftly
driven back by Rio Boham's guard. Worms defend your king.
The old general then swiftly hauled Ria Boham off the
makeshift thrown and fled toward the back of the hall
the royal women. Hot on his heels. He and a
few of the royal guards formed a protective wall around
(21:06):
Ria Boham, Abijam and the women, with Baniah defending Rio Boam.
A Donnium, the overseer of conscripted labor, stepped up to
aid the guards in holding the furious crowd back to
give the others a chance to escape. For a moment,
it seemed like the mob would quiet, and then a
stone flew, then another, and another. The crowds surged forward,
(21:32):
their stones, finding their mark over and over on a
Donnium's defenseless body. The overseer of forced labor stumbled to
the ground, dead, blood pooling on the stone floor. Baniah
tightened his grip, yanking Ria Boam back. Chariots waited behind them.
Speaker 8 (21:52):
Ah, your highness, oh no.
Speaker 1 (21:56):
Rio Boam stumbled, but was shoved toward the chariot. His
mother was similarly thrust in after him. His wife and
son were in a second chariot behind The din of
the riot behind them was deafening shouts, screams, more sickening
cracks of stone on flesh. The chariot jolted forward and rear.
(22:17):
Bohem gripped the side, panting. The wheels kicked up dust.
The sound of hoofs drowned out the chaos. As they fled.
He turned back once when they crested a hill. To
his horror, tongues of fire were licking the sides of
the ancient Shechem hall. His people, his kingdom were reduced
(22:39):
to a riot of fury and flame. He jerked forward,
ignoring the tears of his mother beside him.
Speaker 8 (22:46):
It's just fraction. This is a setback. It can be reforged, reclaim.
I am still the king.
Speaker 1 (22:57):
The kingdom his father built was wearing itself apart, or
rather it was being torn from him.
Speaker 6 (23:10):
Do you know what the name Rehoboam means in Hebrew?
It's rahav am, which it means he enlarges the people,
or the people spread out. It's two words, rajave, which
means to spread out, and m which means nation. Isn't
that ironic because in our story today the people do
(23:30):
spread out, but not in blessings. As we've studied God's
word together, we found that the Bible often associates kingship
with shepherding, not dominating, not taxing into the grave, but shepherding.
The image goes all the way back to Moses, who
herded sheep before he herded people, and David Solomon's father
was a shepherd before.
Speaker 9 (23:50):
He became king.
Speaker 6 (23:51):
But Rahobolam, he doesn't walk in with a staff, he
walks in with scorpions. Think about that image through the
lens of a biblical Israelite people whose recent descendants had
been slaves in Egypt. The scorpion is a reminder of
Egypt of bondage. And here this descendant of David echoes
(24:12):
the language of Pharaoh. And we see what happens when
Israel's king forgets what it means to be the Chosen people.
The Chosen people scatter, they run, they cry, tier tent
so Israel and a holy place of covenant and calling,
while it becomes a battlefield of betrayal, all because of
(24:33):
Israel's king, And we're left wondering how should a king
treat his subjects. We learn how a king should not
act by Rajovoam's example. Rajapoam actually began his reign correctly
by consulting with his late father's advisers. He asked how
to respond to the Chosen people's complain Do you remember
(24:54):
that about the heavy taxation that King Solomon had placed
on them? And the Bible actually tells us exactly how
Solomon's advisers responded. They told King rahouvl quote, if today
you will be a servant to these people and serve
them and give them a favorable answer, they will always
be your servants.
Speaker 5 (25:13):
End quote.
Speaker 6 (25:14):
I think that's a beautiful passage and his beautiful advice
for any leader right, telling them be a servant to
the people, and then they will be loyal. The great Sagemimonodes,
in his Laws of Kings, uses this exact Bible verse
to give some very good advice. He taught a Hebrew
king must be without personal pride, should not act towards
(25:37):
Israel with undue haughtiness, and should be gracious and compassionate
to small and great end quote. Rahovlan basically violated each
of these points, didn't He. He insulted the people, he
bragged about himself, He rejected the wise advice given to
him by his wise father's advisors, and then he turned
(25:57):
to some young people he had grown up with well
offered him bad advice. And this disastrous episode ended up
being the prelude to a much larger disaster, the division
of Israel and to two separate kingdoms, each of them
hostile to the other. Well because of how the king
of Israel treated God's chosen people, Today's Bible story was
(26:22):
a tragedy of a king who confused fear for strength
of a nation that asked for relief but instead was
given the lash. We face this very same danger today
in our homes, in our politics, even in our spiritual communities,
the danger of thinking that to lead is to dominate,
that to be right is to be harsh. Maybe you're
(26:45):
a parent unsure of how to lead your children without
becoming a tyrant. Maybe you're just tired of being told
to carry more, to prove yourself more, to do more well.
This Bible's story tells us there's another way, the way
of the shepherd, the way of listen. Rajobo aam have
the chance to listen, and he refused. We don't have
(27:06):
to make that very same mistake. We can pause, we
can ask questions, we can listen for God's voice, and
in doing so we won't lose power, We'll actually gain it.
Speaker 1 (27:18):
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(27:42):
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(28:02):
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Previously on the chosen people.
Speaker 2 (00:03):
What God has given you? Did he tell you to
build those asheripoles? How about the altar to Milcombe. Have
you heard their screams? Solomon?
Speaker 3 (00:16):
What screams?
Speaker 2 (00:18):
The screams of the children they sacrifice on those altars?
You allowed them to build children, Solomon, my.
Speaker 4 (00:28):
King, the northern tribes grow restless. Jerreboam, who has successfully
evaded our assassins, is now reported to be in exile
in Egypt, but his name is everywhere. They are rallying
around him.
Speaker 1 (00:42):
To the right of the temple mount in the distance,
he could see firelight. Another festival to Molik was being held.
Solomon could hear the drums, the women, and the crying
of infants, drunken rituals, idle worship, child sacrifice.
Speaker 3 (01:02):
Because you have done this, because you have turned your
heart from me, because you have chased after the gods
of your wives, and because you have not kept my
covenant and my statutes as your father David did, I
will tear the kingdom from your hands and give it
(01:23):
to your servant. Now, your enemy, Jeriboem.
Speaker 5 (01:29):
What have I done?
Speaker 6 (01:36):
Salmon built the kingdom with wisdom his son He tried
to hold it together with fear cello, my friends from
here in the holy land of Israel, i'm l extein
with international fellowship of Christians and Jews, and welcome to
the Chosen People. What does it take to hold a
kingdom together? Is it might wisdom, lineage, or is it
(01:58):
something less glamorous like trust. In today's episode, drawn from
First Kings, Chapter twelve, we step into a moment of unrest.
King Solomon the Builder, the dreamer, the man of a
thousand Proverbs, is gone, and what remains is his house,
a divided house, splintering beneath the weight of ambition and memory. Rehobam,
(02:22):
his son has inherited the throne, but not the love
of the people. And from the north a new voice rises,
one who speaks not of lineage, but of burdens, one
who carries not gold but grievance. This is not an
easy story, but it's a story of decisions, that echo
of power that is tested, of a legacy that is unraveling.
(02:45):
This Bible story will ask hard questions about leadership, about loyalty,
about what it means to rule and be ruled.
Speaker 1 (02:58):
King Solomon the Wise went the way of all men,
whether they be kings or servants, tyrants or priests, the
fate of all remains the same. Solomon left a gleaming
empire behind, but for all its glamor, it teetered on
the brink of chaos and war. The children of Israel
(03:21):
were crushed under the weight of taxes and conscripted labor.
As a result, they had little faith left in their rulers.
They had given their gold and their sons to build
the wealthy king's magnificent city, and now they wondered if
it had all been for nothing. Unlike his father, Solomon
(03:43):
left no grand deathbed speeches, no impassioned final blessings. He
died as the pagan kings did, surrounded by his wealth,
his concubines, his courtiers, and his progenies, squabbling over their
place in the power a vacuum he left behind. His
burial procession was as glamorous as his reign. But even
(04:07):
then the cries of mourners and sounding of the dirge
were swallowed by the relentless clang of chisels and hammers.
Israel was still building. Only one woman stood apart from
the clamor Abishag, the Shulamite, His first.
Speaker 4 (04:24):
And only love.
Speaker 1 (04:27):
She grieved not only for the man he was, but
for the man he could have been. His gift had
become his pride. His wisdom had made him blind, his
hunger for more had led him down the path of destruction.
Solomon's son, Rhea Boham inherited the kingdom, the wealth, the throne,
(04:49):
but not the wisdom. When the time for a coronation came,
it was decided that it would take place in Shechem,
in the North, not Jerusalem. Shechem was a city steeped
in Israel's history. It was the site of Abraham's first altar,
the resting place of Joseph, and the valley where the
(05:11):
nation once reaffirmed its covenant with Yahweh, a symbolic location
and a strategic one because this was ephraim might Land,
the heart of Israel's territories, and it was here that
the North would make its demands, And because the South
was clinging to its remaining sovereignty over the kingdom made
(05:35):
up of twelve tribes, the decision was made for them
to leave the grandeur and safety of the capital and
venture north. But as Rioboam and his entourage set out,
Jeroboam returned from Egyptian exile, the prodigal son of Ephraim,
champion of the northern tribes, had arrived to stake his claim.
(05:57):
He stood before Rioboham and all the tribal leaders of Israel,
pleading the case of the North.
Speaker 7 (06:05):
Your majesty, we have come before you, not as rebels,
but as your loyal subjects. We have built your father cities, harvestedisfields,
paid his tribute, but as yoke was heavy upon us, Ria.
Speaker 1 (06:17):
Boham shifted on his makeshift throne in the cramped hall.
He stood, flanked by his advisers that his right was Beniah.
The other standing nearby was a Donnium, the stern and
sour overseer of conscripted labor. Beside them stood his mother, Neaemah,
(06:37):
now reigning as Gabeira queen mother, and his favorite wife Macha,
whispering in his ear, maneuvering him to suit her own ambitions.
Their son and heir, Abi Jam, sat close by his
scheming mother's design. And then, of course, there were Riar
Boham's spoiled young companions, arrogant and titled men who grew
(07:01):
up with him in the palace, ready to blindly lead
him astray. Jeroboam, despite having been exiled in Egypt these
past few years, could see their pretentious royal pride laid
before him. Plainly, it was important that Jeroboam lived up
to being the man of the people. He did not
(07:22):
have high hopes for the outcome of this gathering, but
he was certain of one thing. It would seal both
his fate and Ria Boam's forever, and all of Israel
would bear witness.
Speaker 7 (07:36):
And so I come to you, your majesty, and I
ask that you lighten the burden your father placed on us.
Do this, and we will serve you as our key.
Speaker 1 (07:46):
There was a long pause. Rio Boham leaned back, eyes
flicking to his council. He was painfully unaware of how
important this request was. Markha narrowed Herrizon shook her head
almost imperceptibly at her husband's questioning look. Their son Abijam
(08:07):
loudly scoffed at Jeroboam's request. Their reactions solified Ria Boham's answer.
Speaker 8 (08:14):
You ask me to weaken my father's rule.
Speaker 7 (08:18):
We ask for justice and the right to return to
our homes.
Speaker 1 (08:23):
Murmurs from the crowd, stirred at that Ria Boam hesitated,
unsure of what to do. His wife leaned over and
whispered in his ear.
Speaker 2 (08:35):
Three days, keep them waiting, make them beg for your favor.
Speaker 1 (08:41):
Rio Boam nodded and stood.
Speaker 8 (08:44):
Leave me return in three days, and you'll have my answer.
Speaker 1 (08:50):
Grumbles of frustration rippled through the hall, but the northern
leaders bowed stiffly and withdrew. Jeroboam's smile curled. Ria Boam's
obvious indecision would only solidify Jeroboam's claim to the throne.
The kingdom was slipping through his fingers, and he didn't
(09:10):
even know it. Jeroboam turned, following his fellow tribesmen out
of the hall. In three days, Israel would not decide
its future. Its future had already been decided. Ria Boham's
fingers anxiously tapped the table in front of him as
(09:31):
his advisers laid out their cases before him again. They
were divided into two camps, the elders who served Solomon
and the younger nobles who grew up alongside Ria Boam. Beniah,
the old general, pleaded the case of the elders.
Speaker 4 (09:50):
Your majesty, if today you serve the people, they will
serve you forever. But if you speak harshly, they will
turn against you.
Speaker 1 (10:01):
Ria Boham's son Abijam scoffed and interjected on behalf of
the younger group.
Speaker 5 (10:08):
You don't truly think that people would turn against the
House of David, do you. My great grandfather united us,
and my grandfather made us all rich. The people won't forget.
Speaker 1 (10:19):
That the old general winced at the young prince's wilful arrogance,
but kept trying for reason anyway.
Speaker 4 (10:28):
Yes, Prince Abajan, I'm sure that people remember their heritage,
but people also tend to bow to what is right
in front of them under duress. King Solomon's rule was
great but costly. My King, Ria Boham, if I may,
I think you should heed your father's elders and hear
(10:48):
our council. Perhaps your greatness will be found in wisdom
as well, not oppression.
Speaker 1 (10:56):
Ria Boham's mother, Naamarh rose to her son's defense and
snapped at Beniah from across the table from her seat
at her son's right hand.
Speaker 9 (11:06):
My son has already found his greatness, ben and Ayah.
I prayed to the God of my people that Rehebaum
would be king after his father and twice as powerful
with the kingdom he inherited and Milcom has delivered. I
don't understand why these northerners haven't just ground Rehebboam and
made it official by now we marched all the way
(11:27):
up here.
Speaker 5 (11:28):
Why the delay?
Speaker 4 (11:30):
Pardon any offense, Gabirah, but I just wanted to ensure
there is a peaceful transfer of power for your son.
Speaker 1 (11:37):
Naomar waved off the general dismissively and leaned in toward
her son.
Speaker 9 (11:43):
You are not just your father's son, Rehebboem, you are
my son. I prayed to Milkom that you would rule,
and he has answered. Do not insult the gods by
squandering what they have given.
Speaker 1 (11:58):
From Ria Boham's other side, Macha entered the fray with
her signature flattery that had earned her the spot of
favored wife and future queen mother.
Speaker 10 (12:11):
My husband has the wisdom of his father, and he
has the power bestowed upon him by Ashira, the god
of my people, My love, who has been loyal to you,
the people or the one sitting at this table. Your
father built this kingdom. We stand on his foundation. What
(12:34):
good is love from men who forget their place? King
Rihoboam will do what he thinks is right, and we
will all support him without question.
Speaker 1 (12:46):
Marka punctuated her final words with a threatening stare in
Benia's direction. Her carefully crafted security rode on her ability
to keep everyone obeying her husband's words. Marker had worked
to secure her position as the favored wife of Ria
Boham and her son as the heir. She was not
(13:07):
about to upset it now. Ria Boham frowned, but did
not answer. He turned to the younger nobles he grew
up with, with his son abi Jam leading the charge
of their shared opinion.
Speaker 5 (13:22):
Father, you're not truly considering bending lilies.
Speaker 1 (13:26):
Oh, the younger nobles laughed. Ria Boham's pride stung, but
he looked between the two groups of advisers, his supportive
mother and wife in between. They only wanted to see
him in power. They didn't care how he did it.
Speaker 5 (13:45):
Grandfather ruled with iron, and you would rule straw.
Speaker 1 (13:51):
Laughter irerupted from the young nobles again, landing harshly on
Ria Boham's ears. He forced a smirk to mirror his son,
but something twisted in his gut. His fingers tightened around
the edge of the table, his father's legacy, his burden
pressed heavily on his shoulders.
Speaker 5 (14:12):
Tell them your little fingers thicker than your father's waist.
Tell them, my father scourged you with whips, but I'll
scorge you with scorpions. Show them your power. If you
show them anything less, they won't fear you.
Speaker 1 (14:26):
Rio Beouham nodded with a gleam in his eye at
his son's words. Tempted, but he was determined to consider
all his options like father would have done.
Speaker 8 (14:38):
Leave me.
Speaker 1 (14:39):
The advisers rose bowed and departed the room. The older
ones seemed eager to excuse themselves, while the younger seemed
to put out that they didn't receive affirmation right away
for their extreme stance. His mother swept from the room
with an encouraging squeeze on his arm, while his wife
(15:01):
lingered with a questioning look in her eye.
Speaker 8 (15:04):
You can go, my love. This is a decision I must.
Speaker 2 (15:07):
Make alone, as you say, my love.
Speaker 1 (15:12):
When he was alone in the dusty hall, rio bhe sighed,
running his hands over his round face. He had long
relied on his father's guidance, his feigned wisdom, but now
that it was all on him, he hesitated. This decision
would define his reign.
Speaker 8 (15:33):
Should I be feared and powerful like my son and
my friend's advice, carrying out my father's legacy. Should I
give in to the people's demands and become beloved by them?
Then would I be spitting in the face of what
my father built?
Speaker 1 (15:53):
Ria Boone stood and paced around the ancient table in
the dimly lit hall. Solomon had toiled to give his
son stability and prosperity, but the endeavors had also pulled
him away. Rio Boham knew he should be grateful for
the easy, privileged life he had been afforded, but he
often resented his father for the long hours devoted to
(16:16):
building his empire and writing and debating with men with
whom Riobouham had nothing in common. And so he had
become his mother's creature, worshiping her gods, basking in the
light of her praise and aspirations, and dreaming about the
day that he would become the man in charge at last.
Speaker 8 (16:37):
What kind of king? Should I be? King of wisdom
or a king of power? My father built this kingdom,
but they resent him for it, and now they want
me to be weaker than him.
Speaker 1 (16:53):
He stopped his pacing and gripped the edge of the table.
He longed to build a legacy like his father, in
spite of his father's.
Speaker 8 (17:02):
Perhaps, no, I will not. I was born to rule.
King is feared, not questioned. If my father was a
king of wisdom, then I will be a king of power.
If he built with a hammer, then I will rule
with an iron fist. This kingdom is mine mine, they
(17:25):
will know it.
Speaker 1 (17:28):
On the third morning, the tribes of Israel once more
gathered before Rio Boam, with Jeroboam at their helm. Jeroboam's
calculating eyes took in everything. Rio Boham rose and puffed
out his chest, ready to give his answer. Jeroboam fought
the urge to roll his eyes at the display of
(17:50):
self importance, but he knew the eyes of the North
were upon him too. They would follow his reaction to
Rio Boham's proclamation.
Speaker 8 (18:00):
You'll say my father was harsh. You mean now, my
little finger is thicker than my father's waist.
Speaker 1 (18:10):
Outrage rippled through the crowd. Jeroboam expected this, but he
was surprised that he was clenching his jaw and balling
his fists.
Speaker 8 (18:19):
Nonetheless, my father disciplined you with whips, but I will
discipline you with scorpions.
Speaker 1 (18:29):
There was a long, deadly silence. Jeroboam stared, stunned by
the sheer ignorance before him. Scorpions. The word alone sent
a shudder down his spine. He had seen the scorpions
before in Egypt. They were more than whips. They were
tools of torture and bloodshed, long wooden handles, thick leather lashes,
(18:55):
and shards of jagged metal woven in between. He had
watched men's backs split open like parchment, flesh curling away
to expose raw muscle, sometimes even bone. And now Ria
Boham had invoked that image. Here he threatened the very
(19:16):
men whose backs had built Solomon's empire, the very men
Ria Boam hoped to rule.
Speaker 8 (19:27):
Did I say something to amuse you?
Speaker 7 (19:31):
Oh, forgive me, it's just funny. I believe I heard
something similar from Pharaoh in Egypt.
Speaker 8 (19:39):
What are you getting at?
Speaker 7 (19:42):
We were slaves once Aobam, never again.
Speaker 1 (19:48):
The hall was tense. Every man at Jeroboam's back fixed
Riar Boam and his ilk with lethal stairs. Then from
the crowd of northerners, the words of an old battle
cry rang out over the strained silence.
Speaker 8 (20:05):
What portion do we have in David? We have no
inheritance in the son of Jesse.
Speaker 9 (20:12):
Israel.
Speaker 8 (20:13):
Return to your tents. The sons of David can look
after their own house.
Speaker 1 (20:20):
Jeroboam saw a glimmer of panic cross before Rio Boham's eyes.
There was stillness for another fraught heartbeat, and then chaos.
Jeroboam peeled back into the crowd that was handed a club.
The northerners at the far end of the hall exploded
with fury and sprang forward past the tribal leaders and
(20:43):
toward the royal family and advisers, but they were swiftly
driven back by Rio Boham's guard. Worms defend your king.
The old general then swiftly hauled Ria Boham off the
makeshift thrown and fled toward the back of the hall
the royal women. Hot on his heels. He and a
few of the royal guards formed a protective wall around
(21:06):
Ria Boham, Abijam and the women, with Baniah defending Rio Boam.
A Donnium, the overseer of conscripted labor, stepped up to
aid the guards in holding the furious crowd back to
give the others a chance to escape. For a moment,
it seemed like the mob would quiet, and then a
stone flew, then another, and another. The crowds surged forward,
(21:32):
their stones, finding their mark over and over on a
Donnium's defenseless body. The overseer of forced labor stumbled to
the ground, dead, blood pooling on the stone floor. Baniah
tightened his grip, yanking Ria Boam back. Chariots waited behind them.
Speaker 8 (21:52):
Ah, your highness, oh no.
Speaker 1 (21:56):
Rio Boam stumbled, but was shoved toward the chariot. His
mother was similarly thrust in after him. His wife and
son were in a second chariot behind The din of
the riot behind them was deafening shouts, screams, more sickening
cracks of stone on flesh. The chariot jolted forward and rear.
(22:17):
Bohem gripped the side, panting. The wheels kicked up dust.
The sound of hoofs drowned out the chaos. As they fled.
He turned back once when they crested a hill. To
his horror, tongues of fire were licking the sides of
the ancient Shechem hall. His people, his kingdom were reduced
(22:39):
to a riot of fury and flame. He jerked forward,
ignoring the tears of his mother beside him.
Speaker 8 (22:46):
It's just fraction. This is a setback. It can be reforged, reclaim.
I am still the king.
Speaker 1 (22:57):
The kingdom his father built was wearing itself apart, or
rather it was being torn from him.
Speaker 6 (23:10):
Do you know what the name Rehoboam means in Hebrew?
It's rahav am, which it means he enlarges the people,
or the people spread out. It's two words, rajave, which
means to spread out, and m which means nation. Isn't
that ironic because in our story today the people do
(23:30):
spread out, but not in blessings. As we've studied God's
word together, we found that the Bible often associates kingship
with shepherding, not dominating, not taxing into the grave, but shepherding.
The image goes all the way back to Moses, who
herded sheep before he herded people, and David Solomon's father
was a shepherd before.
Speaker 9 (23:50):
He became king.
Speaker 6 (23:51):
But Rahobolam, he doesn't walk in with a staff, he
walks in with scorpions. Think about that image through the
lens of a biblical Israelite people whose recent descendants had
been slaves in Egypt. The scorpion is a reminder of
Egypt of bondage. And here this descendant of David echoes
(24:12):
the language of Pharaoh. And we see what happens when
Israel's king forgets what it means to be the Chosen people.
The Chosen people scatter, they run, they cry, tier tent
so Israel and a holy place of covenant and calling,
while it becomes a battlefield of betrayal, all because of
(24:33):
Israel's king, And we're left wondering how should a king
treat his subjects. We learn how a king should not
act by Rajovoam's example. Rajapoam actually began his reign correctly
by consulting with his late father's advisers. He asked how
to respond to the Chosen people's complain Do you remember
(24:54):
that about the heavy taxation that King Solomon had placed
on them? And the Bible actually tells us exactly how
Solomon's advisers responded. They told King rahouvl quote, if today
you will be a servant to these people and serve
them and give them a favorable answer, they will always
be your servants.
Speaker 5 (25:13):
End quote.
Speaker 6 (25:14):
I think that's a beautiful passage and his beautiful advice
for any leader right, telling them be a servant to
the people, and then they will be loyal. The great Sagemimonodes,
in his Laws of Kings, uses this exact Bible verse
to give some very good advice. He taught a Hebrew
king must be without personal pride, should not act towards
(25:37):
Israel with undue haughtiness, and should be gracious and compassionate
to small and great end quote. Rahovlan basically violated each
of these points, didn't He. He insulted the people, he
bragged about himself, He rejected the wise advice given to
him by his wise father's advisors, and then he turned
(25:57):
to some young people he had grown up with well
offered him bad advice. And this disastrous episode ended up
being the prelude to a much larger disaster, the division
of Israel and to two separate kingdoms, each of them
hostile to the other. Well because of how the king
of Israel treated God's chosen people, Today's Bible story was
(26:22):
a tragedy of a king who confused fear for strength
of a nation that asked for relief but instead was
given the lash. We face this very same danger today
in our homes, in our politics, even in our spiritual communities,
the danger of thinking that to lead is to dominate,
that to be right is to be harsh. Maybe you're
(26:45):
a parent unsure of how to lead your children without
becoming a tyrant. Maybe you're just tired of being told
to carry more, to prove yourself more, to do more well.
This Bible's story tells us there's another way, the way
of the shepherd, the way of listen. Rajobo aam have
the chance to listen, and he refused. We don't have
(27:06):
to make that very same mistake. We can pause, we
can ask questions, we can listen for God's voice, and
in doing so we won't lose power, We'll actually gain it.
Speaker 1 (27:18):
You can listen to The Chosen People with Yile Eckstein
ad free by downloading and subscribing to the pre dot
com app today. This prey dog comproduction is only made
possible by our dedicated team of creative talents. Steve Gattina,
Max Bard, Zach Shellabager and Ben Gammon are the executive
producers of the Chosen People with Yile Eckstein. Edited by
(27:42):
Alberto Avilla, narrated by Paul Coltofianu. Characters are voiced by
Jonathan Cotton, Aaron Salvado, Sarah Seltz, Mike Reagan, Stephen Ringwold,
Sylvia Zaradoc, Thomas Copeland Junior, Rosanna Pilcher, and Mitch Leshinsky,
and the opening prayer is voiced by John Moore. Music
(28:02):
by Andrew Morgan Smith, written by Aaron Salvado, bre Rosalie
and Chris Baig. Special thanks to Bishop Paulinier, Robin van Ettin,
Kayleb Burrows, Jocelyn Fuller, Rabbi Edward Abramson, and the team
at International Fellowship of Christians and Jews. You can hear
more Prey dot com productions on the Prey dot com app,
(28:23):
available on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
If you enjoyed The Chosen People with Yile Eckstein, please
rate and leave a review.
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