Rehoboam went to Shechem to be crowned king, but the people asked for lower taxes and a lighter work load. Rehoboam asked for 3 days to think this over and consult about it. The elders told him to accept what the people requested, but younger men said the opposite saying that in his reign things would be even tougher! When the people received this tough reply they rejected Rehoboam dividing the nation with the 10 northern tribes breaking from Judah and Benjamin in the south with Rehoboam becoming king just of the south.
Meanwhile Jeroboam returned from exile in Egypt and became king of the northern tribes of Israel. However fearing that he would be prejudiced by the people going to worship in Jerusalem he set up alternative worshipping places at Bethel and Dan of 2 golden calves! Jeroboam also built pagan shrines on high places and appointed non-Levite priests. Israel and Judah were in a big mess.
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