1 Kings (3 Kings) 12
Commentary from 8 fathers
And king Roboam goes to Sikima; for all Israel were coming to Sikima to make him king. [
ΚΑΙ πορεύεται βασιλεὺς Ῥοβοὰμ εἰς Σίκιμα, ὅτι εἰς Σίκιμα ἤρχοντο πᾶς Ἰσραὴλ βασιλεῦσαι αὐτόν. [
И҆ и҆́де ца́рь ровоа́мъ въ сїкі́мꙋ, ꙗ҆́кѡ въ сїкі́мꙋ прїи́де ве́сь і҆и҃ль воцари́ти є҆го̀.
And it came to pass, when Jeroboam the son of Nabat heard of it (for he was yet in Egypt, whither he had fled from the presence of king Solomon, and Jeroboam dwelt in Egypt, and they sent and called him), that Jeroboam and all the assembly of Israel came.]
Καὶ ἐγένετο ὡς ἤκουσεν Ἱεροβοὰμ υἱὸς Ναβὰτ καὶ αὐτοῦ ἔτι ὄντος ἐν Αἰγύπτῳ, καὶ ἔφυγεν ἐκ προσώπου τοῦ βασιλέως Σαλωμὼν καὶ ἐπέστρεψεν Ἱεροβοὰμ ἐξ Αἰγύπτου,
И҆ бы́сть є҆гда̀ ᲂу҆слы́ша і҆еровоа́мъ сы́нъ нава́товъ, сꙋ́щꙋ є҆мꙋ̀ є҆щѐ во є҆гѵ́птѣ, ꙗ҆́кѡ ᲂу҆бѣ́глъ бѣ̀ ѿ лица̀ соломѡ́на, и҆ возврати́сѧ і҆еровоа́мъ и҆з̾ є҆гѵ́пта:
And the people spoke to king Roboam, saying, Thy father made our yoke heavy;
καὶ ἐλάλησεν ὁ λαὸς πρὸς τὸν βασιλέα Ῥοβοὰμ λέγοντες·
и҆ посла́ша, и҆ призва́ша є҆го̀. И҆ прїи́де і҆еровоа́мъ и҆ ве́сь со́нмъ і҆и҃левъ, и҆ реко́ша лю́дїе къ царю̀ ровоа́мꙋ глаго́люще:
but do thou now lighten somewhat of the hard service of thy father, and of his heavy yoke which he put upon us, and we will serve thee.
ὁ πατήρ σου ἐβάρυνε τὸν κλοιὸν ἡμῶν, καὶ σὺ νῦν κούφισον ἀπὸ τῆς δουλείας τοῦ πατρός σου τῆς σκληρᾶς καὶ ἀπὸ τοῦ κλοιοῦ αὐτοῦ τοῦ βαρέως, οὗ ἔδωκεν ἐφ᾿ ἡμᾶς, καὶ δουλεύσομέν σοι.
ѻ҆те́цъ тво́й ѡ҆тѧгчѝ ꙗ҆ре́мъ на́шъ, ты́ же нн҃ѣ ѡ҆блегчѝ ѿ рабо́ты ѻ҆тца̀ твоегѡ̀ же́стокїѧ и҆ ѿ ꙗ҆рма̀ є҆гѡ̀ тѧ́жкагѡ, є҆го́же возложѝ на ны̀, и҆ порабо́таемъ тѝ.
And he said to them, Depart for three days, and return to me. And they departed.
καὶ εἶπεν πρὸς αὐτούς· ἀπέλθετε ἕως ἡμερῶν τριῶν καὶ ἀναστρέψατε πρός με· καὶ ἀπῆλθον.
И҆ речѐ къ ни̑мъ: ѿиди́те (и҆ пребꙋ́дите) до тре́тїѧгѡ днѐ, и҆ возврати́тесѧ ко мнѣ̀. И҆ и҆до́ша.
And the king referred [the matter] to the elders, who stood before Solomon his father while he was yet living, saying, How do ye advise that I should answer this people?
καὶ ἀπήγγειλεν ὁ βασιλεὺς τοῖς πρεσβυτέροις, οἳ ἦσαν παρεστῶτες ἐνώπιον Σαλωμὼν τοῦ πατρὸς αὐτοῦ ἔτι ζῶντος αὐτοῦ λέγων· πῶς ὑμεῖς βουλεύεσθε καὶ ἀποκριθῶ τῷ λαῷ τούτῳ λόγον;
И҆ возвѣстѝ ровоа́мъ ца́рь старѣ́йшинамъ, и҆̀же бы́ша предстоѧ́ще пред̾ соломѡ́номъ ѻ҆тце́мъ є҆гѡ̀, є҆щѐ жи́вꙋ є҆мꙋ̀ сꙋ́щꙋ, глаго́лѧ: ка́кѡ вы̀ мы́слите, да ѿвѣща́ю лю́демъ си̑мъ сло́во;
And they spoke to him, saying, If thou wilt this day be a servant to this people, and wilt serve them, and wilt speak to them good words, then will they be thy servants continually.
καὶ ἐλάλησαν πρὸς αὐτὸν λέγοντες· εἰ ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ταύτῃ ἔσῃ δοῦλος τῷ λαῷ τούτῳ καὶ δουλεύσεις αὐτοῖς καὶ λαλήσεις πρὸς αὐτοὺς λόγους ἀγαθούς, καὶ ἔσονταί σοι δοῦλοι πάσας τὰς ἡμέρας.
И҆ рѣ́ша є҆мꙋ̀, глаго́люще: а҆́ще въ дне́шнїй де́нь бꙋ́деши ра́бъ лю́демъ си̑мъ и҆ порабо́таеши и҆̀мъ, и҆ рече́ши и҆̀мъ словеса̀ бла̑га, и҆ бꙋ́дꙋтъ тѝ рабѝ во всѧ̑ дни̑.
But he forsook the counsel of the old men which they gave him, and consulted with the young men who were brought up with him, who stood in his presence.
καὶ ἐγκατέλιπε τὴν βουλὴν τῶν πρεσβυτέρων, ἃ συνεβουλεύσαντο αὐτῷ, καὶ συνεβουλεύσατο μετὰ τῶν παιδαρίων τῶν ἐκτραφέντων μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ τῶν παρεστηκότων πρὸς προσώπου αὐτοῦ
И҆ пренебрежѐ совѣ́тъ старѣ́йшинъ, ꙗ҆̀же совѣща́ша є҆мꙋ̀, и҆ совѣ́това со ѻ҆́трѡки воспита́нными съ ни́мъ предстоѧ́вшими пред̾ лице́мъ є҆гѡ̀,
And he said to them, What counsel do ye give? And what shall I answer to this people who speak to me, saying, Lighten somewhat of the yoke which thy father has put upon us?
καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· τί ὑμεῖς συμβουλεύετε, καὶ τί ἀποκριθῶ τῷ λαῷ τούτῳ τοῖς λέγουσι πρός με λεγόντων· κούφισον ἀπὸ τοῦ κλοιοῦ, οὗ ἔδωκεν ὁ πατήρ σου ἐφ᾿ ἡμᾶς;
и҆ речѐ и҆̀мъ: что̀ вы̀ совѣщава́ете; и҆ что̀ ѿвѣща́ю лю́демъ си̑мъ, и҆̀же рѣ́ша ко мнѣ̀, глаго́люще: ѡ҆блегчѝ на́шъ ꙗ҆ре́мъ, є҆го́же возложѝ ѻ҆те́цъ тво́й на ны̀;
And the young men who had been brought up with him, who stood before his face, spoke to him, saying, Thus shalt thou say to this people who have spoken to thee, saying, Thy father made our yoke heavy, and do thou now lighten it from off us: thus shalt say to them, My little [finger shall be] thicker than my father’s loins.
καὶ ἐλάλησαν πρὸς αὐτὸν τὰ παιδάρια τὰ ἐκτραφέντα μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ, οἱ παρεστηκότες πρὸ προσώπου αὐτοῦ λέγοντες· τάδε λαλήσεις τῷ λαῷ τούτῳ τοῖς λαλήσασι πρός σε λέγοντες· ὁ πατήρ σου ἐβάρυνε τὸν κλοιὸν ἡμῶν καὶ σὺ νῦν κούφισον ἀφ᾿ ἡμῶν, τάδε λαλήσεις πρὸς αὐτούς· ἡ μικρότης μου παχυτέρα τῆς ὀσφύος τοῦ πατρός μου·
И҆ глаго́лаша къ немꙋ̀ ѻ҆́троцы воспита́ннїи съ ни́мъ и҆ рѣ́ша є҆мꙋ̀: си́це да глаго́леши лю́демъ си̑мъ, и҆̀же рѣ́ша къ тебѣ̀, глаго́люще: ѻ҆те́цъ тво́й ѡ҆тѧгчѝ ꙗ҆ре́мъ на́шъ: ты́ же нн҃ѣ ѡ҆блегчѝ ѿ на́съ: сїѧ̑ рече́ши къ ни̑мъ: ю҆́ность моѧ̀ толстѣ́е чре́слъ ѻ҆тца̀ моегѡ̀:
And whereas my father did lade you with a heavy yoke, I also will add to your yoke: my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.
καὶ νῦν ὁ πατήρ μου ἐπεσάσσετο ὑμᾶς κλοιῷ βαρεῖ, κἀγὼ προσθήσω ἐπὶ τὸν κλοιὸν ὑμῶν· ὁ πατήρ μου ἐπαίδευσεν ὑμᾶς ἐν μάστιξιν, ἐγὼ δὲ παιδεύσω ὑμᾶς ἐν σκορπίοις.
и҆ нн҃ѣ ѻ҆те́цъ мо́й наложѝ на вы̀ ꙗ҆ре́мъ тѧ́жекъ, а҆́зъ же приложꙋ̀ къ ꙗ҆рмꙋ̀ ва́шемꙋ: ѻ҆те́цъ мо́й наказа̀ вы̀ ра́нами, а҆́зъ же накажꙋ̀ вы̀ скорпїо́нами.
And all Israel came to king Roboam on the third day, as the king spoke to them, saying, Return to me on the third day.
καὶ παρεγένοντο πᾶς Ἰσραὴλ πρὸς τὸν βασιλέα Ῥοβοὰμ ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ τῇ τρίτῃ, καθότι ἐλάλησεν αὐτοῖς ὁ βασιλεὺς λέγων· ἀναστράφητε πρός με τῇ ἡμέρᾳ τῇ τρίτῃ.
И҆ прїи́де ве́сь і҆и҃ль къ царю̀ ровоа́мꙋ въ де́нь тре́тїй, ꙗ҆́коже речѐ и҆̀мъ ца́рь, глаго́лѧ: возврати́тесѧ ко мнѣ̀ въ де́нь тре́тїй.
And the king answered the people harshly; and Roboam forsook the counsel of the old men which they counseled him.
καὶ ἀπεκρίθη ὁ βασιλεὺς πρὸς τὸν λαὸν σκληρά, καὶ ἐγκατέλιπε Ῥοβοὰμ τὴν βουλὴν τῶν πρεσβυτέρων, ἃ συνεβουλεύσαντο αὐτῷ,
И҆ ѿвѣща̀ ца́рь къ лю́демъ же́стокѡ: и҆ ѡ҆ста́ви ца́рь ровоа́мъ совѣ́тъ старѣ́йшинъ, ꙗ҆̀же совѣща́ша є҆мꙋ̀,
And the king hearkened not to the people, because the change was from the Lord, that he might establish his word which he spoke by Achia the Selonite concerning Jeroboam the son of Nabat.
καὶ οὐκ ἤκουσεν ὁ βασιλεὺς τοῦ λαοῦ, ὅτι ἦν μεταστροφὴ παρὰ Κυρίου, ὅπως στήσῃ τὸ ῥῆμα αὐτοῦ, ὃ ἐλάλησεν ἐν χειρὶ Ἀχιὰ τοῦ Σηλωνίτου περὶ Ἱεροβοὰμ υἱοῦ Ναβάτ.
И҆ не послꙋ́ша ца́рь люді́й, ꙗ҆́кѡ бѣ̀ превраще́нїе ѿ гдⷭ҇а, ꙗ҆́кѡ да ᲂу҆тверди́тъ гл҃го́лъ сво́й, є҆го́же гл҃а рꙋко́ю а҆хі́и силѡні́тѧнина ѡ҆ і҆еровоа́мѣ сы́нѣ нава́товѣ.
Who can help but tremble at the thought of these judgments of God whereby he accomplishes whatever he pleases even in the hearts of wicked people, while yet rendering to each according to his merits? Solomon’s son, Rehoboam, rejected the salutary counsel of the elders, not to deal harshly with the people, and yielded to the words of men of his own age by replying with threats to those who should have been given a gentle reply. And how did this come about, except by his own will? But as a result of it, the ten tribes of Israel withdrew from him and set up for themselves another king, Jeroboam, that the will of God, who had been angered, might be accomplished, as he had also foretold that it would come to pass. For what does the Scripture say? “And the king condescended not to the people, for the Lord was turned away from him to make good his word, which he had spoken though Ahias, the Silonite, to Jeroboam the son of Nabat.” All this was certainly done by human will, but in such a way that the “turning way” came from the Lord.
On Grace and Free Will 21.42
And all Israel saw that the king did not hearken to them: and the people answered the king, saying, What portion have we in David? neither have we any inheritance in the son of Jessae. Depart, O Israel, to thy tents: now feed thine own house, David. [17] So Israel departed to his tents.
καὶ εἶδον πᾶς Ἰσραήλ, ὅτι οὐκ ἤκουσεν ὁ βασιλεὺς αὐτῶν, καὶ ἀπεκρίθη ὁ λαὸς τῷ βασιλεῖ λέγων· τίς ἡμῖν μερὶς ἐν Δαυίδ; καὶ οὐκ ἔστιν ἡμῖν κληρονομία ἐν υἱῷ Ἰεσσαί· ἀπότρεχε, Ἰσραήλ, εἰς τὰ σκηνώματά σου· νῦν βόσκε τὸν οἶκόν σου, Δαυίδ. [
И҆ ви́дѣ ве́сь і҆и҃ль, ꙗ҆́кѡ не послꙋ́ша ца́рь гла́са и҆́хъ, и҆ ѿвѣща́ша лю́дїе царю̀, глаго́люще: ка́ѧ на́мъ ча́сть въ даві́дѣ; и҆ нѣ́сть на́мъ наслѣ́дїѧ въ сы́нѣ і҆ессе́овѣ: бѣжѝ, і҆и҃лю, въ кро́вы своѧ̑: нн҃ѣ пасѝ до́мъ тво́й, даві́де. И҆ ѿи́де і҆и҃ль въ кро́вы своѧ̑.
Justice, then, especially graces people who are set over any office; on the other hand, injustice fails them and fights against them. Scripture itself gives us an example, where it says that when the people of Israel, after the death of Solomon, had asked his son Rehoboam to free their neck from their cruel yoke and to lighten the harshness of his father’s rule, he, despising the counsel of the old men, gave the following answer at the suggestion of the young men: “He would add a burden to the yoke of his father and change their lighter toils for harder.” Angered by this answer, the people said, “We have no portion in David or inheritance in the son of Jesse. Return to your tents, O Israel. For we will not have this man for a prince or a leader over us.” So, forsaken and deserted by the people, he could keep with him scarcely two of the ten tribes for David’s sake.
On the Duties of the Clergy 2.18.93-94
And the king sent Adoniram who was over the tribute; and they stoned him with stones, and he died: and king Roboam made haste to rise to flee to Jerusalem.
καὶ ἀπέστειλεν ὁ βασιλεὺς τὸν Ἀδωνιρὰμ τὸν ἐπὶ τοῦ φόρου, καὶ ἐλιθοβόλησαν αὐτὸν ἐν λίθοις καὶ ἀπέθανε· καὶ ὁ βασιλεὺς Ῥοβοὰμ ἔφθασεν ἀναβῆναι τοῦ φυγεῖν εἰς Ἱερουσαλήμ.
И҆ посла̀ ца́рь ровоа́мъ а҆дѡнїра́ма, и҆́же над̾ да́нїю, и҆ побѝ є҆го̀ ка́менїемъ ве́сь і҆и҃ль, и҆ ᲂу҆́мре. Ца́рь же ровоа́мъ потща́сѧ взы́ти на колесни́цꙋ ᲂу҆бѣжа́ти во і҆ерⷭ҇ли́мъ.
So Israel rebelled against the house of David until this day.
καὶ ἠθέτησεν Ἰσραὴλ εἰς τὸν οἶκον Δαυὶδ ἕως τῆς ἡμέρας ταύτης.
И҆ ѿложи́сѧ і҆и҃ль ѿ до́мꙋ даві́дова да́же до дне́сь.
And it came to pass when all Israel heard that Jeroboam had returned out of Egypt, that they sent and called him to the assembly, and they made him king over Israel: and none followed the house of David except the tribe of Juda and Benjamin only.
καὶ ἐγένετο ὡς ἤκουσε πᾶς Ἰσραὴλ ὅτι ἀνέκαμψεν Ἱεροβοὰμ ἐξ Αἰγύπτου, καὶ ἀπέστειλαν καὶ ἐκάλεσαν αὐτὸν εἰς τὴν συναγωγὴν καὶ ἐβασίλευσαν αὐτὸν ἐπὶ Ἰσραήλ· καὶ οὐκ ἦν ὀπίσω οἴκου Δαυὶδ πάρεξ σκήπτρου Ἰούδα καὶ Βενιαμὶν μόνοι.
И҆ бы́сть є҆гда̀ ᲂу҆слы́ша ве́сь і҆и҃ль, ꙗ҆́кѡ возврати́сѧ і҆еровоа́мъ ѿ є҆гѵ́пта, и҆ посла́ша, и҆ призва́ша є҆го̀ на собо́ръ, и҆ воцари́ша є҆го̀ над̾ і҆и҃лемъ: и҆ не бѣ̀ в̾слѣ́дъ до́мꙋ даві́дова, то́кмѡ хорꙋ́гвь і҆ꙋ́дина и҆ венїамі́нова.
And Roboam went into Jerusalem, and he assembled the congregation of Juda, and the tribe of Benjamin, a hundred and twenty thousand young men, warriors, to fight against the house of Israel, to recover the kingdom to Roboam the son of Solomon.
καὶ Ῥοβοὰμ εἰσῆλθεν εἰς Ἱερουσαλὴμ καὶ ἐξεκκλησίασε τὴν συναγωγὴν Ἰούδα καὶ σκῆπτρον Βενιαμὶν ἑκατὸν καὶ εἴκοσι χιλιάδας νεανιῶν ποιούντων πόλεμον, τοῦ πολεμεῖν πρὸς οἶκον Ἰσραήλ, ἐπιστρέψαι τὴν βασιλείαν Ῥοβοὰμ υἱῷ Σαλωμών.
И҆ ровоа́мъ вни́де во і҆ерⷭ҇ли́мъ и҆ собра̀ ве́сь со́нмъ і҆ꙋ́динъ и҆ хорꙋ́гвь венїамі́ню, сто̀ и҆ два́десѧть {А҆леѯ.: сто̀ и҆ ѻ҆́смьдесѧтъ.} ты́сѧщъ ю҆́ношей, творѧ́щихъ бра́нь, ра́товати на до́мъ і҆и҃левъ, є҆́же возврати́ти ца́рство ровоа́мꙋ сы́нꙋ соломѡ́ню.
And the word of the Lord came to Samaia the man of God, saying,
καὶ ἐγένετο λόγος Κυρίου πρὸς Σαμαίαν ἄνθρωπον τοῦ Θεοῦ λέγων·
И҆ бы́сть сло́во гдⷭ҇не ко саме́ю человѣ́кꙋ бж҃їю, гл҃ѧ:
Speak to Roboam the son of Solomon, king of Juda, and to all the house of Juda and Benjamin, and to the remnant of the people, saying,
εἰπὸν τῷ Ῥοβοὰμ υἱῷ Σαλωμὼν βασιλεῖ Ἰούδα καὶ πρὸς πάντα οἶκον Ἰούδα καὶ Βενιαμὶν καὶ τῷ καταλοίπῳ τοῦ λαοῦ λέγων·
рцы̀ къ ровоа́мꙋ сы́нꙋ соломѡ́ню царю̀ і҆ꙋ́динꙋ и҆ ко всемꙋ̀ до́мꙋ і҆ꙋ́динꙋ и҆ венїамі́новꙋ и҆ ко ѡ҆ста́вшымсѧ лю́демъ, глаго́лѧ:
Thus saith the Lord, Ye shall not go up, neither shall ye fight with your brethren the sons of Israel: return each man to his own home; for this thing is from me; and they hearkened to the word of the Lord, and they ceased from going up, according to the word of the Lord. 24α So king Solomon sleeps with his fathers, and is buried with his fathers in the city of David; and Roboam his son reigned in his stead in Jerusalem, being sixteen years old when he began to reign, and he reigned twelve years in Jerusalem: and his mother’s name [was] Naanan, daughter of Ana son of Naas king of the children of Ammon. And he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord, and walked not in the way of David his father. 24β And there was a man of mount Ephraim, a servant to Solomon, and his name [was] Jeroboam; and the name of his mother [was] Sarira, a harlot; and Solomon made him head of the levies of the house of Joseph: and he built for Solomon Sarira in mount Ephraim; and he had three hundred chariots of horses: he built the citadel with the levies of the house of Ephraim; he fortified the city of David, and aspired to the kingdom. 24γ And Solomon sought to kill him; and he was afraid, and escaped to Susakim king of Egypt, and was with him until Solomon died. 24δ And Jeroboam heard in Egypt that Solomon was dead; and he spoke in the ears of Susakim king of Egypt, saying, Let me go, and I will depart into my land; and Susakim said to him, Ask any request, and I will grant it thee. 24ε And Susakim gave to Jeroboam Ano the eldest sister of Thekemina his wife, to be his wife: she was great among the daughters of the king, and she bore to Jeroboam Abia his son: 24ζ and Jeroboam said to Susakim, Let me indeed go, and I will depart. And Jeroboam departed out of Egypt, and came into the land of Sarira that was in mount Ephraim, and thither the whole tribe of Ephraim assembles, and Jeroboam built a fortress there. 24η And his young child was sick with a very severe sickness; and Jeroboam went to enquire concerning the child: and he said to Ano his wife, Arise, go, enquire of God concerning the child, whether he shall recover from his sickness. 24θ Now there was a man in Selom, and his name [was] Achia: and he was sixty years old, and the word of the Lord [was] with him. And Jeroboam said to his wife, Arise, and take in thine hand loaves for the man of God, and cakes for his children, and grapes and a pot of honey. And the woman arose, 24ι and took in her hand bread, and two cakes, and grapes, and a pot of honey, for Achia: and the man [was] old, and his eyes were dim, so that he could not see. 24κ And she arose up from Sarira and went; and it came to pass when she had come into the city of Achia the Selonite, that Achia said to his servant, Go out now to meet Ano the wife of Jeroboam, and thou shalt say to her, Come in, and stand not [still]: for thus saith the Lord, I send grievous tidings to thee. 24λ And Ano went in to the man of God; and Achia said to her, Why hast thou brought me bread and grapes, and cakes, and a pot of honey? Thus saith the Lord, Behold, thou shalt depart from me, and it shall come to pass when thou hast entered into the city, [even] into Sarira, that thy maidens shall come out to meet thee, and shall say to thee, The child is dead: 24μ for thus saith the Lord, Behold, I will destroy every male of Jeroboam, and there shall be the dead of Jeroboam in the city, [them] the dogs shall eat, and him that has died in the field shall the birds of the air eat, and he shall lament for the child, [saying], Woe is [me], Lord! for there has been found in him some good thing touching the Lord. 24ν And the woman departed, when she heard this: and it came to pass as she entered into Sarira, that the child died; and there came forth a wailing to meet [her]. 24ξ And Jeroboam went to Sikima in mount Ephraim, and assembled there the tribes of Israel; and Roboam the son of Solomon went up thither. And the word of the Lord came to Samaias son of Enlami, saying, Take to thyself a new garment which has not gone into the water, and rend it [into] twelve pieces; and thou shalt give [some] to Jeroboam, and shalt say to him, Thus saith the Lord, Take to thyself ten pieces to cover thee: and Jeroboam took [them]: and Samaias said, Thus saith the Lord concerning the ten tribes of Israel. 24ο And the people said to Roboam the son of Solomon, Thy father made his yoke heavy upon us, and made the meat of his table heavy; and now thou shalt lighten them upon us, and we will serve thee. And Roboam said to the people, Wait three days, and I will return an answer: 24π and Roboam said, Bring in to me the elders, and I will take counsel with them what I shall answer to the people on the third day. So Roboam spoke in their ears, as the people sent to him to [say]: and the elders of the people said, Thus the people have spoken to thee. 24ρ And Roboam rejected their counsel, and it pleased him not: and he sent and brought in those who had been brought up with him; and he said to them, Thus and thus has the people sent to me to say: and they that had been brought up with him said, Thus shalt thou speak to the people, saying, My little [finger] shall be thicker than my father’s loins; my father scourged you with whips, but I will rule you with scorpions. 24σ And the saying pleased Roboam, and he answered the people as the young men, they that were brought up with him, counseled him: 24τ and all the people spoke as one man, every one to his neighbor, and they cried out all together, saying, We have no part in David, nor inheritance in the son of Jessae: to thy tents, O Israel, every one; for this man [is] not for a prince or a ruler over us. 24υ And all the people was dispersed from Sikima, and they departed every one to his tent: and Roboam strengthened himself and departed, and mounted his chariot, and entered into Jerusalem: and there follow him the whole tribe of Juda, and the whole tribe of Benjamin. 24φ And it came to pass at the beginning of the year, that Roboam gathered all the men of Juda and Benjamin, and went up to fight with Jeroboam at Sikima. 24χ And the word of the Lord came to Samaeas the man of God, saying, Speak to Roboam king of Juda, and to all the house of Juda and Benjamin, and to the remnant of the people, saying, Thus saith the Lord, Ye shall not go up, neither shall ye fight with your brethren the sons of Israel: return every man to his house, for this thing is from me. 24ψ And they hearkened to the word of the Lord, and forbore to go up, according to the word of the Lord.
ψ καὶ ἤκουσαν τοῦ λόγου Κυρίου καὶ ἀνέσχον μὴ πορευθῆναι κατὰ τὸ ρῆμα Κυρίου.
та́кѡ гл҃етъ гдⷭ҇ь: не восходи́те, нижѐ ра́тꙋйте на бра́тїю ва́шꙋ, на сы́ны і҆и҃лєвы: но возврати́тесѧ кі́йждо въ до́мы своѧ̑, ꙗ҆́кѡ ѿ менє̀ бы́сть гл҃го́лъ се́й. И҆ послꙋ́шаша словесѐ гдⷭ҇нѧ, и҆ преста́ша и҆тѝ по гл҃ꙋ гдⷭ҇ню.
And Jeroboam built Sikima in mount Ephraim and dwelt in it, and went forth thence and built Phanuel.
Καὶ ᾠκοδόμησεν Ἱεροβοὰμ τὴν Σίκιμα τὴν ἐν ὄρει Ἐφραὶμ καὶ κατῴκει ἐν αὐτῇ· καὶ ἐξῆλθεν ἐκεῖθεν καὶ ᾠκοδόμησε τὴν Φανουήλ.
И҆ созда̀ і҆еровоа́мъ сїкі́мꙋ въ горѣ̀ є҆фре́мли, и҆ всели́сѧ въ не́й, и҆ и҆зы́де ѿтꙋ́дꙋ, и҆ созда̀ фанꙋи́ла.
The people were divided in those times into the kingdom of ten tribes under Jeroboam and the kingdom of two tribes under Rehoboam. And those under Jeroboam were called Israel, and those under Rehoboam Judah. And the division of the people persisted, according to the history, until today. For we know of nothing in the history that united Israel and Judah “into the same nation.” Then Israel first, under Jeroboam and under his successors, sinned excessively, and Israel sinned so much beyond Judah that they were sentenced by Providence to become captives “to the Assyrians until the sign,” as the Scripture says. After this, the sons of Judah also sinned, and as captives they were sentenced to Babylon, not until a sign, as Israel, but for “seventy years,” which Jeremiah prophesied and Daniel also mentioned.
Homilies on Jeremiah 4.2
The Scriptures tell us that God chose a certain nation on the earth, which they call by several names. For the whole of this nation is termed Israel and also Jacob. And when it was divided in the times of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, the ten tribes subject to him were called Israel, while the remaining two, along with the tribe of Levi, being ruled over by the de¬scendants of David, were named Judah. And the whole of the territory which the people of this nation inhabited, being given to them by God, received the name of Judea, the metropolis of which is Jerusalem—a metropolis, namely, of numerous cities, the names of which lie scattered about in many other passages of Scripture but which are enumerated together in the book of Joshua the son of Nun. Such, then, being the case, the apostle, elevating our power of discernment above the letter, says some¬where, “Behold Israel according to the flesh,” as if there were an Israel “according to the Spirit.” And in another place he says, “For they who are the children of the flesh are not the children of God” nor are “they all Israel who are descended from Israel.”
On First Principles 4.1.20-21
We have learned in the books of Kings that under Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, Jeroboam, the son of Nabat, made a division among the people and led ten tribes into Samaria. The tribes of Judah and Benjamin, however, remained under the rule of Rehoboam; and many likewise from the tribe of Levi who were dwelling in Jerusalem as priests and Levites—as it is written in Paralipomenon—returned to the temple of God, that is, to Jerusalem. Thus, there were three tribes in Judea: Judah itself the royal tribe, and Benjamin, and later the Levites from the various tribes, when they had come to the temple. They who were in Samaria had a king from the tribe of Ephraim. Just as they who held sway in Judea had a king from the tribe of Judah and from the family of David, so they who prevailed in Samaria had a king from the tribe of Ephraim, and their kings were called Ephraim.
Homilies on the Psalms 11 (ps 77 [78])
And Jeroboam said in his heart, Behold, now the kingdom will return to the house of David.
καὶ εἶπεν Ἱεροβοὰμ ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ αὐτοῦ· ἰδοὺ νῦν ἐπιστρέψει ἡ βασιλεία εἰς οἶκον Δαυίδ·
И҆ речѐ і҆еровоа́мъ въ се́рдцы свое́мъ: сѐ, нн҃ѣ возврати́тсѧ ца́рство въ до́мъ даві́довъ,
If this people shall go up to offer sacrifice in the house of the Lord at Jerusalem, then the heart of the people will return to the Lord, and to their master, to Roboam king of Juda, and they will slay me.
ἐὰν ἀναβῇ ὁ λαὸς οὗτος ἀναφέρειν θυσίαν ἐν οἴκῳ Κυρίου εἰς Ἱερουσαλήμ, καὶ ἐπιστραφήσεται καρδία τοῦ λαοῦ πρὸς Κύριον καὶ κύριον αὐτῶν, πρὸς Ῥοβοὰμ βασιλέα Ἰούδα, καὶ ἀποκτενοῦσί με.
а҆́ще взы́дꙋтъ лю́дїе сі́и вознестѝ же́ртвꙋ въ хра́мѣ гдⷭ҇ни во і҆ерⷭ҇ли́мъ, и҆ ѡ҆брати́тсѧ се́рдце люді́й ко гдⷭ҇ꙋ и҆ господи́нꙋ своемꙋ̀, къ ровоа́мꙋ царю̀ і҆ꙋ́динꙋ, и҆ ᲂу҆бїю́тъ мѧ̀, и҆ возвратѧ́тсѧ къ ровоа́мꙋ царю̀ і҆ꙋ́динꙋ.
And the king took counsel, and went, and made two golden heifers, and said to the people, Let it suffice you to have gone [hitherto] to Jerusalem: behold thy gods, O Israel, who brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.
καὶ ἐβουλεύσατο ὁ βασιλεὺς καὶ ἐπορεύθη καὶ ἐποίησε δύο δαμάλεις χρυσᾶς· καὶ εἶπε πρὸς τὸν λαόν· ἱκανούσθω ὑμῖν ἀναβαίνειν εἰς Ἱερουσαλήμ· ἰδοὺ θεοί σου, Ἰσραήλ, οἱ ἀναγαγόντες σε ἐκ γῆς Αἰγύπτου.
И҆ ᲂу҆совѣ́това ца́рь, и҆ сотворѝ двѣ̀ ю҆́ницы зла̑ты, и҆ речѐ къ лю́демъ: довлѣ́етъ ва́мъ восходи́ти во і҆ерⷭ҇ли́мъ: сѐ, бо́зи твоѝ, і҆и҃лю, и҆зве́дшїи тѧ̀ и҆з̾ землѝ є҆гѵ́петскїѧ.
While he prepared to establish the reign which was reserved to him by God according to the predictions of the prophets Shemaiah and Ahijah, Jeroboam thought that nothing could be more useful for his purpose than kindling the hatred of the two opposite parties to the highest possible degree, so that he might preclude any chance of reconciliation and peace. Therefore, in order that those who already distrusted each other might be removed from each other even further, he introduced a new reason for dissension concerning the worship of God. He persuaded his party to leave behind their Jewish rites and to take up the religion of the Egyptians which was superior to all other religions, just as Egyptian wisdom and power were greater that those of the Canaanites and the Jews. Since the majority of the tribes agreed, he proposed to worship the ancient idols of the Hebrews, namely, two calves of gold, and dedicated them by using, according to the old custom, the formula “These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt.”
On the First Book of Kings 12:18
For all that, King Jeroboam of Israel, who had proof that God was true, when he got the kingdom God had promised, was so warped in mind as not to believe in him. Actually, he feared that if he came to God’s temple in Jerusalem (as all Jews without exception were bound by divine ordinance to do for the offering of sacrifices), his subjects might be alienated from his allegiance and reattached to David’s blood successors as the royal dynasty. With this in mind, he established idolatry in his own kingdom and, with shocking impiety, tricked God’s people into joining him in the worship of idols. Even so, God did not entirely give up sending prophets to reprimand the king, and his successors who continued his idolatry and the people themselves. For it was in Israel that there appeared Elijah and his disciple, Elisha, both magnificent prophets and wonder workers as well.
City of God 17.22
And he put one in Bethel, and he put the other in Dan.
καὶ ἔθετο τὴν μίαν ἐν Βαιθὴλ καὶ τὴν μίαν ἔδωκεν ἐν Δάν.
И҆ поста́ви є҆ди́нꙋ въ веѳи́ли, а҆ дрꙋгꙋ́ю въ да́нѣ.
And this thing became a sin; and the people went before one as far as Dan, and left the house of the Lord.
καὶ ἐγένετο ὁ λόγος οὗτος εἰς ἁμαρτίαν· καὶ ἐπορεύετο ὁ λαὸς πρὸ προσώπου τῆς μιᾶς ἕως Δάν. καὶ εἴασαν τὸν οἶκον Κυρίου.
И҆ бы́сть сло́во сїѐ на согрѣше́нїе, и҆ и҆дѧ́хꙋ лю́дїе пред̾ лице́мъ ю҆́ницы є҆ди́ныѧ да́же до да́на, и҆ ѡ҆ста́виша хра́мъ гдⷭ҇ень.
Now let us talk also about the second kind of scandal, which, we said, arises from human cleverness.… Jeroboam raised up a scandal. He set up as gods for the people, golden calves—pitiful images—to keep them from seeking the living God, the true temple, God’s law, the rightly appointed kings and their ancestral rites. Consequently, the whole people thus delivered over to error became a source of scandal like that given, according to the apostle, when a person eats, as harmless to his own conscience, the flesh of animals that were sacrificed to idols. He thinks that through such conduct he may well bring contempt on the inanimate stones and wooden gods that can neither sanctify nor profane anything. But what he thinks is an example of his faith becomes an occasion of error for uninstructed people, for it leads them not to contempt but to worship, and it causes the meal to appear to be a banquet of religious honor to those very inanimate gods that he is intentionally diminishing by this ridicule. Consequently, the apostle wisely concludes and explains, “And through your ‘knowledge’ the weak one will perish, the brother for whom Christ died.”
Sermon 27
“The people went before the other [god] as far as Dan.” In order to worship the calf, the crowd walks in procession before it. Dan is the city that is now called Panias. When Israel took possession of the promised land, the children of Dan moved to take hold of that town and called it Dan. Two springs originated from there: Yor and Dan.
Books of Sessions 1 Kings 12:30
And he made houses on the high places, and made priests of any part of the people, who were not of the sons of Levi.
καὶ ἐποίησεν οἴκους ἐφ᾿ ὑψηλῶν καὶ ἐποίησεν ἱερεῖς μέρος τι ἐκ τοῦ λαοῦ, οἳ οὐκ ἦσαν ἐκ τῶν υἱῶν Λευί.
И҆ сотворѝ ка̑пища на высо́кихъ, и҆ сотворѝ жерцѡ́въ ча́сть ѿ люді́й, и҆̀же не бѣ́ша ѿ сынѡ́въ леѵі́иныхъ.
And Jeroboam appointed a feast in the eighth month, on the fifteenth day of the month, according to the feast in the land of Juda;
καὶ ἐποίησεν Ἱεροβοὰμ ἑορτὴν ἐν τῷ μηνὶ τῷ ὀγδόῳ ἐν τῇ πεντεκαιδεκάτῃ ἡμέρᾳ τοῦ μηνὸς κατὰ τὴν ἑορτὴν τὴν ἐν γῇ Ἰούδα καὶ ἀνέβη ἐπὶ τὸ θυσιαστήριον, ὃ ἐποίησεν ἐν Βαιθήλ, τοῦ θύειν ταῖς δαμάλεσιν, αἷς ἐποίησε, καὶ παρέστησεν ἐν Βαιθὴλ τοὺς ἱερεῖς τῶν ὑψηλῶν, ὧν ἐποίησε.
И҆ сотворѝ і҆еровоа́мъ пра́здникъ въ ѻ҆смы́й мцⷭ҇ъ въ пѧтыйна́десѧть де́нь мцⷭ҇а, по пра́здникꙋ, и҆́же въ землѝ бѣ̀ і҆ꙋ́динѣ, и҆ взы́де на ѻ҆лта́рь, є҆го́же сотворѝ въ веѳи́ли, жре́ти ю҆́ницамъ, ꙗ҆̀же сотворѝ, и҆ поста́ви въ веѳи́ли жерцы̀ на высо́кихъ, ꙗ҆̀же сотворѝ.
and went up to the altar which he made in Baethel to sacrifice to the heifers which he made, and he placed in Baethel the priests of the high places which he had made. And he went up to the altar which he had made, on the fifteenth day in the eighth month, at the feast which he devised out of his own heart; and he made a feast to the children of Israel, and went up to the altar to sacrifice.
καὶ ἀνέβη ἐπὶ τὸ θυσιαστήριον, ὃ ἐποίησε, τῇ πεντεκαιδεκάτῃ ἡμέρᾳ ἐν τῷ μηνὶ τῷ ὀγδόῳ ἐν τῇ ἑορτῇ, ᾗ ἐπλάσατο ἀπὸ καρδίας αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἐποίησεν ἑορτὴν τοῖς υἱοῖς Ἰσραὴλ καὶ ἀνέβη ἐπὶ τὸ θυσιαστήριον τοῦ ἐπιθῦσαι.
И҆ взы́де на ѻ҆лта́рь, є҆го́же сотворѝ въ веѳи́ли, въ ѻ҆смы́й мцⷭ҇ъ, въ пѧтыйна́десѧть де́нь въ пра́здникъ, є҆го́же соста́ви по се́рдцꙋ своемꙋ̀: и҆ сотворѝ пра́здникъ сынѡ́мъ і҆и҃лєвымъ, и҆ взы́де на ѻ҆лта́рь є҆́же пожре́ти.
And he spoke to them according to the counsel of the young men, saying, My father made your yoke heavy, and I will add to your yoke: my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.
καὶ ἐλάλησε πρὸς αὐτοὺς κατὰ τὴν βουλὴν τῶν παιδαρίων λέγων· ὁ πατήρ μου ἐβάρυνε τὸν κλοιὸν ὑμῶν, κἀγὼ προσθήσω ἐπὶ τὸν κλοιὸν ὑμῶν· ὁ πατήρ μου ἐπαίδευσεν ὑμᾶς ἐν μάστιξι, κἀγὼ παιδεύσω ὑμᾶς ἐν σκορπίοις.
и҆ речѐ къ ни̑мъ по совѣ́тꙋ ѻ҆трокѡ́въ, глаго́лѧ: ѻ҆те́цъ мо́й ѡ҆тѧгчѝ ꙗ҆ре́мъ ва́шъ, а҆́зъ же приложꙋ̀ къ ꙗ҆рмꙋ̀ ва́шемꙋ: ѻ҆те́цъ мо́й наказа̀ вы̀ ра́нами, а҆́зъ же накажꙋ̀ вы̀ скорпїо́нами.