Israel was torn in two because Solomon was unfaithful to God.
1 Kings 11:29-35, 37-40 (NLT), (The prophet Ahijah met Jeroboam) “‘this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: I am about to tear the kingdom from the hand of Solomon, and I will give ten of the tribes to you! 32 But I will leave him one tribe for the sake of my servant David and for the sake of Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel. 33 For Solomon has abandoned me and worshiped Ashtoreth, the goddess of the Sidonians; Chemosh, the god of Moab; and Molech, the god of the Ammonites….He has not obeyed my decrees and regulations as David his father did…35 ‘But I will take the kingdom away from his (Solomon’s) son and give ten of the tribes to you.’ … 40 Solomon tried to kill Jeroboam, but he fled to King Shishak of Egypt and stayed there until Solomon died.”
The worship of these idols included human sacrifice. That is exceedingly evil in God’s eyes. Jeremiah records God’s thoughts about any human sacrifice in Jeremiah 7:31 (NKJV), “And they (in this case Judah) have built the high places of Tophet (another idol),…to burn their sons and their daughters in the fire, which I did not command, nor did it come into My heart.”
God’s character is always just and loving. It is neither just nor loving to sacrifice your children. Such a though never entered Jehovah’s heart. (This is another scripture which shows that God could never create a place called hell where He would have people tortured forever.) Human sacrifice is demonic, an abomination. It denies God’s character.
The division of Israel is recorded in 1 Kings 12:1-24. The following are excerpts from 1 Kings 12 (NKJV):
1 “And Rehoboam (Solomon’s son) went to Shechem, for all Israel had gone to Shechem to make him king. … 4 (Israel said) ‘Your father made our yoke heavy; now therefore, lighten the burdensome service of your father, and his heavy yoke which he put on us, and we will serve you.’ … 10 Then the young men (Rehoboam’s advisors)…spoke to him, saying, … ‘speak to this people who have spoken to you, saying, … “whereas my father put a heavy yoke on you, I will add to your yoke; my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scourges!’” … 15 So the king did not listen to the people; for the turn of events was from the LORD,… 16 Now when all Israel saw that the king did not listen to them, the people answered the king, saying: ‘What share have we in David?’ …So Israel (the ten tribes) departed to their tents. 17 But Rehoboam reigned over the children of Israel who dwelt in the cities of Judah.”
Additional Resources:
Christian Questions Podcast
Episode #1271: “Am I Throwing Away My Life’s Greatest Privilege? (Part I)”
A tale of two opportunities, two kings and two failures
Preview Video
CQ Rewind Show Notes
Episode #1272: “Am I Throwing Away My Life’s Greatest Privilege? (Part II)”
Recognizing and living up to the magnitude of our privileges in Christ
Preview Video
CQ Rewind Show Notes
For children, parents and Bible class teachers:
CQ Kids animated video: “Why did the kingdom of Israel split?”
