Joe: Alright, alright, alright! So, 1 Kings 12. What's the skinny?

Bible Expert: Well, this chapter is all about the division of the kingdom of Israel into two separate nations - Israel, located in the north, and Judah located in the south.

Joe: Wait, so, why did this happen?

Bible Expert: Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, refused to listen to the people's complaints about heavy taxation, and so the people revolted and asked for a different king. Jeroboam, the leader of this revolt, was then declared king of Israel in the north.

Joe: Interesting. And what happened to Rehoboam?

Bible Expert: He was still king of Judah in the south.

Joe: And what did Jeroboam do when he became king?

Bible Expert: He set up two golden calves to be worshiped as gods, in an attempt to keep the people of Israel from going down to Jerusalem to worship the Lord.

Joe: Wow, so this is why the two nations split?

Bible Expert: Yes, that's right.

Joe: I'm gonna have to ask Jamie to Google this. Alright, so what other events happen in 1 Kings 12?

Bible Expert: Well, Jeroboam also set up a new religious system with priests and festivals that were different from the ones in Judah. He also made a covenant with the people of Israel to keep them loyal to him.

Joe: Alright, so what's the moral of the story?

Bible Expert: That when we don't trust in God, we can end up making decisions that lead to division and confusion. This chapter shows us the consequences of not following the Lord's commands.