1. King Solomon had turned away from God and was influenced by his many foreign wives to worship other gods. 2. When Solomon died, his son Rehoboam became king but the people were burdened by high taxes and forced labor under Solomon. They asked Rehoboam to lighten the burden. 3. Rehoboam took counsel from younger, inexperienced advisors rather than older, wiser men. He threatened the people with even harsher treatment, which caused them to rebel and the kingdom divided, with Jeroboam ruling the northern 10 tribes as God had foretold.