Solomon’s diplomacy and alliance with other nations through marriage with foreign royalty proved to be his downfall. His many foreign wives and concubines worshipped foreign gods and they turned his heart away from the LORD to these other gods (1 Kgs. 11:1-8 cf. Deut. 7:3-4).
REHOBOAM: After Solomon’s death, Rehoboam his son succeeded him as king. During his coronation at Shechem, the people asked for a lighter tax burden and a reduced conscription of labour. Solomon had placed oppressive taxes and large mobilization of people for his massive building projects and civil works (1 Kgs. 12:1-5).
The elders advised Rehoboam to grant the people’s requests. However, he forsook their advice. Instead, he listened to his contemporaries and replied, “My little finger is thicker than my father's waist!” The leaders of ten tribes then decided to withdraw from the union of tribes and left (1 Kgs. 12:6-17).
For more information on the kings of Israel and Judah, visit http://www.vtaide.com/gleanings/Kings-of-Israel/kings.html