When the kingdomof Rehoboamwas establishedand strong,he and allIsraelwith him forsookthe lawof the LORD.
But as for the sonsof Israelwho livedin the citiesof Judah,Rehoboamreignedoverthem.
Now Rehoboamthe sonof Solomonreignedin Judah.Rehoboamwas forty-oneyearsoldwhen he becameking,and he reignedseventeenyearsin Jerusalem,the citywhichthe LORDhad chosenfrom allthe tribesof Israelto putHis namethere.And his mother'snamewas Naamahthe Ammonitess.
"And they will say,Becausethey forsookthe LORDtheir God,whobroughttheir fathersout of the landof Egypt,and adoptedothergodsand worshipedthem and servedthem, thereforethe LORDhas broughtallthisadversityon them.'"
AlsoJudahdid not keepthe commandmentsof the LORDtheir God,but walkedin the customswhichIsraelhad introduced.
They strengthenedthe kingdomof Judahand supportedRehoboamthe sonof Solomonfor threeyears,for they walkedin the wayof Davidand Solomonfor threeyears.
He actedwiselyand distributedsomeof his sonsthroughallthe territoriesof Judahand Benjaminto allthe fortifiedcities,and he gavethem foodin abundance.And he soughtmanywives[for them].
"Speakto Rehoboamthe sonof Solomon,kingof Judah,and to allIsraelin Judahand Benjamin,saying,
So KingRehoboamstrengthenedhimself in Jerusalemand reigned.NowRehoboamwas forty-oneyearsoldwhen he began to reign,and he reignedseventeenyearsin Jerusalem,the citywhichthe LORDhad chosenfrom allthe tribesof Israel,to putHis namethere.And his mother'snamewas Naamahthe Ammonitess.
They abandonedthe houseof the LORD,the Godof their fathers,and servedthe Asherimand the idols;so wrathcameupon Judahand Jerusalemfor thistheir guilt.
Alas,sinfulnation,Peopleweigheddownwith iniquity,Offspringof evildoers,Sonswho actcorruptly!They have abandonedthe LORD,They have despisedthe HolyOneof Israel,They have turnedawayfrom Him.
"O generation,heedthe wordof the LORD.Have I beena wildernessto Israel,Ora landof thickdarkness?Whydo My peoplesay,We [are free to] roam;We will nolongercometo You'?
When Ephraimspoke,[there was] trembling.He exaltedhimselfin Israel,But through Baalhe didwrongand died.
"The statutesof OmriAnd allthe worksof the houseof Ahabare observed;And in their devicesyou walk.ThereforeI will giveyou up for destructionAnd your inhabitantsfor derision,And you will bearthe reproachof My people."
"But Jeshurungrewfatand kicked--You are grownfat,thick,and sleek--Then he forsookGodwho madehim, And scornedthe Rockof his salvation.
"You neglectedthe Rockwho begotyou, And forgotthe Godwho gaveyou birth.
Whereverthey went,the handof the LORDwas against them for evil,as the LORDhad spokenand as the LORDhad swornto them, so that they were severelydistressed.
