Synopsis of the Chapter
Rehoboam, by what harshness he turned the people away from himself; whence only the tribe of Judah adhered to him, while the other ten tribes made Jeroboam their king.
Verse 15: It Was the Will of God ¶
15. FOR IT WAS THE WILL OF GOD. — In Hebrew, it was caused by God. God willed to divide Israel and to take away ten tribes from Solomon, to punish his idolatry, and to give them to Jeroboam; and therefore He permitted Rehoboam to answer the people so harshly and foolishly; whence He knew it would come about that the people would withdraw from Rehoboam and flee to Jeroboam, which He Himself intended.