e Solomon hath sinned against him,
and delivered up himself to women, and to their gods. Seeing therefore
thou knowest the cause for which God hath changed his mind, and is
alienated from Solomon, be thou...."

8. So Jeroboam was elevated by these words of the prophet; and being a
young man, [22] of a warm temper, and ambitious of greatness, he could
not be quiet; and when he had so great a charge in the government, and
called to mind what had been revealed to him by Ahijah, he endeavored
to persuade the people to forsake Solomon, to make a disturbance, and
to bring the government over to himself. But when Solomon understood
his intention and treachery, he sought to catch him and kill him; but
Jeroboam was informed of it beforehand, and fled to Shishak, the king
of Egypt, and there abode till the death of Solomon; by which means he
gained these two advantages to suffer no harm from Solomon, and to be
preserved for the kingdom. So Solomon died when he was already an old
man, having reigned eighty years, and lived ninety-four. He was buried
in Jerusalem, having been superior to all other kings in happiness, and
riches, and wisdom, excepting that when he was growing into years he
was deluded by women, and transgressed the law; concerning which
transgressions, and the miseries which befell the Hebrews thereby, I
think proper to discourse at another opportunity.

CHAPTER 8. How, Upon The Death Of Solomon The People Forsook His Son
Rehoboam, And Ordained Jeroboam King Over The Ten Tribes.

1. Now when Solomon was dead, and his son Rehoboam [who was born of an
Amntonite wife; whose name was Naamah] had succeeded him in the kingdom,
the rulers of the multitude sent immediately into Egypt, and called back
Jeroboam; and when he was come to them, to the city Shethem, Rehoboam
came to it also, for he had resolved to declare himself king to the
Israelites while they were there gathered together. So the rulers of
the people, as well as Jeroboam, came to him, and besought him, and
said that he ought to relax, and to be gentler than his father, in the
servitude he had imposed on them, because they had borne a heavy
yoke, and that then they should be better affected to him, and be well
contented to serve him under his moderate government, and should do it
more out of love than fear. But Rehoboam told them they should come to
him again in three days' time, when he would give an answer to their
request. This delay gave occasion