(3) King of Judah.--By this significant expression accomplished facts receive at the outset the seal of Divine assent.

All Israel in Judah and Benjamin.--Kings, "all the house of Judah and Benjamin, and the remnant of the people;" where the second phrase seems to define the first, for the house of Judah and Benjamin was the remnant of Israel that continued loyal to David. In that case, the chronicler's phrase is a mere abbreviation, denoting whatever of Israel was comprised in the two faithful tribes. (Comp. 2Chronicles 10:17.) But there may be a hint that Judah and Benjamin were the true Israel, and that the apostate North had forfeited its right to that honourable name. Others suppose a reference to members of Northern tribes dwelling in the territory of Judah and Benjamin. Syriac, "to Rehoboam . . . and to the house of Benjamin, and to all Israel, and to the remnant of the people." LXX., "to all Judah and Benjamin" simply.

Verse 3. - To all Israel in Judah and Benjamin. There is difference of opinion as to who are intended in the expression, "all Israel," already confessedly ambiguous in two other passages. When we consider the mention of Rehoboam personally in the former clause of the verse, it would seem most probable that the meaning is all the people of the nation, resident in the Judah and Benjamin allotments, i.e. the nation called collectively Israel. This will include "the remnant" spoken of in the parallel (1 Kings 12:23, compared with 17).

11:1-12 A few good words might have prevented the rebellion of Rehoboam's subjects; but all the force of his kingdom cannot bring them back. And it is in vain to contend with the purpose of God, when it is made known to us. Even those who are destitute of true faith, will at times pay some regard to the word of God, and be kept by it from wrong actions, to which they are prone by nature.And when Rehoboam was come to Jerusalem,.... After he had been at Shechem, and had given his answer to the request of the men of Israel, upon which they revolted from him: this and the three following verses are the same with 1 Kings 12:21. See Gill on 1 Kings 12:21.