So the king hearkened not unto the people: for the cause was of God, that the LORD might perform his word, which he spake by the hand of Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam the son of Nebat.
So the king refused to listen to the people, because this was God's plan. The LORD wanted to fulfill the promise he had made through his prophet Ahijah from Shiloh to Jeroboam, the son of Nebat.
God allowed King Rehoboam to make a foolish decision because it was part of His plan to fulfill a prophecy about dividing the kingdom.
📚 Historical Context
This verse explains why King Rehoboam foolishly rejected the people's request for lighter burdens, leading to the split of Israel into two kingdoms. Earlier, the prophet Ahijah had promised Jeroboam that he would rule over ten tribes as judgment for Solomon's idolatry. God was now orchestrating events to fulfill that prophecy, even using Rehoboam's poor leadership as the means.
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