Ahijah’s Prophecy Fulfilled

When Rehoboam gave his reply to the people who returned for his answer, they shouted, “To your tents, O Israel: now see to thine own house, David.” Then they called Jeroboam “unto the congregation, and made him king over all Israel.” “So Israel rebelled against the house of David unto this day.” Verses 16, 20, 19. Thus the prediction which the prophet Ahijah had made to Jeroboam was fulfilled in every detail. “The cause was from the Lord, that He might perform His saying, which the Lord spake by Ahijah the Shilonite unto Jeroboam.” Verse 15.AGP 83.2

Thus the kingdom demanded and established by Israel in the days of Samuel began to disintegrate. It was divided. The ten tribes in the northern part of Palestine chose Jeroboam for their king, and established what was known as the kingdom of Israel. The two remaining tribes, Judah and Benjamin, in the southern part, took their stand with Rehoboam, and maintained the kingdom of Saul, David, and Solomon under the name kingdom of Judah.AGP 83.3

The time of this period is somewhat uncertain. One of the dates fixed by chronologers of high repute is 976 B. C. As this appears to be supported by as reliable evidence as any other date, it will be used in the reckoning that follows.AGP 83.4

The kingdom of Israel continued from 976 to 722 B. C., a period of over two hundred fifty years. Its history was stormy and tragic beyond expression. Revolutionary uprisings overthrew one dynasty after another until nine different dynasties and nineteen different kings had ruled the kingdom. The last king was Hoshea, who, in the ninth year of his reign, was taken toAGP 83.5

Assyria and imprisoned. (See 2 Kings 17:3, 4.) Following this the people were “carried away out of their own land to Assyria unto this day.” Verse 23.AGP 84.1

Israel might have been spared the terrible experiences that came to them. Times without number the Lord gave them counsel and assurance such as the following: The covenant that I have made with you ye shall not forget; neither shall ye fear other gods. But the Lord your God ye shall fear; and He shall deliver you out of the hand of all your enemies.” 2 Kings 17:38, 39.AGP 84.2