What happened to the kingdom of Israel upon Solomon's death?

• A. It remained united
• B. It was divided into Israel and Judah
• C. It became part of Egypt
• D. It was conquered by Assyria

Answer: (B)

After Solomon's death the kingdom did not stay united. The people asked Solomon’s son Rehoboam to ease the heavy burdens his father had placed on them. Rehoboam refused to listen and threatened to tighten the yoke even more. In response, the ten northern tribes rejected him and chose Jeroboam as their king, forming the northern kingdom of Israel. The remaining southern portion, mainly the tribes of Judah (with Benjamin), stayed under Rehoboam's rule in the land around Jerusalem, becoming the kingdom of Judah. So, the kingdom split into two separate realms, guiding the future history of Israel and Judah.