52.
After the death of Solomon, Rehoboam his son became king. It is ironic that his name would mean, the people is enlarged. Under his rule and because of a stupid decision to increase their taxes and the taking of their youth for his services, the kingdom was divided. 1 Kings 12:13-14 His foolish decision was the bases for the subsequent division of the kingdom. Ten tribes rebelled against the house of David under the leadership of Jeroboam, whose name meant, the people multiplied. The majority of the nation of Israel followed him. 1 Kings 12:1-20 From the words of Hosea we understand that the Lord did not approve nor was He pleased with the division and the ensuing kings, nevertheless, it was all a part of His plan. It was an act of punishment to the house of David because of their departure from Him.1 Kings 12:24.
The spiritual direction of the new nation was immediately evident. Jeroboam had two golden calves made in an attempt to keep the people from going up to Jerusalem to worship. 1 Kings 12:28 His introduction of the golden calves was with the same words as used by Aaron in the wilderness, calling them, their gods. Ex. 32:4 To these idols he contributed their deliverance from Egypt. No wonder idol worship is an abomination to the Lord. Such actions, so contrary to the will of the Lord, assured a certain judgment upon them. They were to be cut off or removed from the land. Hos. 8:4 It was a matter of self destruction. Hos. 13:9 The penalty of false worship was established and they were well aware of it. In spite of the anger of the Lord against them, He extended His mercy to them by saying, in Me is your help.
Some translations place the responsibility of ridding themselves of their idol worship directly upon Samaria (Israel) while others state that the idols had rejected Israel. Hos. 8:5 Of one thing we may be certain and that is that their idols were not gods, therefore powerless to help them in any way. Their maintenance of these false gods only angered the Lord more and more. It may seem strange, the Lord who is love personified, demonstrating wrath to a degree that is far beyond the capabilities of any man. It must be considered that these people had fully rejected the Lord and substituted that of which the Lord had repeatedly warned them. They were in full and total rebellion. They had their choice, for He had presented them with the way of good and evil. Deut. 30:15 He also plainly declared what would happen if they turned to other gods. Deut. 30:16-20 The wrath of the Lord is an equitable anger that is only manifest toward those who have crossed a line of no return. Individuals who are filled with all unrighteousness and the greatest measure of iniquity. The Lord has been more than fair in warning the world that in the end of the age He will manifest Himself in flaming fire. Mal. 4:1.