Book of 1 Kings - Chapter 12 - Verse 21

Upon Rehoboam's return to Jerusalem, he gathered an army consisting of 180,000 skilled warriors from the house of Judah and the tribe of Benjamin. This formidable force was raised with the intention of waging war against the house of Israel in order to reclaim the kingdom for Rehoboam, the son of Solomon. The division of the kingdom following Solomon's reign led to political instability and tensions between the tribes of Israel. Rehoboam sought to assert his authority and reunite the kingdom under his rule by force. The verse highlights the deep divisions within Israel and the lengths to which Rehoboam was willing to go to maintain his power. The gathering of such a large army symbolizes the unrest and conflict that plagued the nation during this turbulent period of its history.

Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, faced a political and religious crisis when he ascended to the throne of the divided kingdom of Israel. The biblical narrative in 1 Kings 12 tells us that after Rehoboam returned to Jerusalem, he gathered a formidable army from the tribe of Benjamin and the house of Judah to march against the rebellious northern tribes. This act of assembling troops was not merely a show of military strength, but it also carries theological significance. It symbolizes Rehoboam's attempt to restore unity and centralized authority to the kingdom of Israel under his rule. The word "warriors" used in the verse underscores the militaristic nature of his campaign against the house of Israel. Through a theological lens, this verse can be seen as reflecting the ongoing struggle for power and control, as well as the consequences of division and rebellion within the people of God.