Observation

This question was also popular among the candidates. The performance to this question was average. Most candidates were familiar with the narrative of the story however, few of them were unable to provide the complete details of the story .Candidates fared well in the B part of the question. Candidates were expected to have highlighted the essential points as listed below;

1. After the death of Solomon, his son Rehoboam succeeded him as king of Israel.
2. At that time, Jeroboam, the son of  Nebat had returned from exile in Egypt and led the people of the North to Rehoboam.
3. Their request to Rehoboam was that he should reduce the heavy burden his father, Solomon had imposed on them.
4. Rehoboam told them to go and come back for the answer in three days’ time.
5. Rehoboam then consulted the elders who had been advising his father, Solomon.
6. The elders advised Rehoboam to hearken to the people’s request.
7. Rehoboam then went to his peers for advice on the same issue.
8. The youth advised him to increase their burden contrary to what the elders had said.
9. When Jeroboam and his people came for the answer, Rehoboam ignored the advice of the elderly and took that of the youth.
10. He thus told them that, my father’s yoke is heavy, but I will add to your yoke/ My father chastised you with whips but I will chastise you with scorpions.
11. When Rehoboam failed to fulfill the demands of Jeroboam and his people, they rebelled against him and the entire house of David.
12. They said, what portions have we in David? We have no inheritance in the son of Jesse. To your tent O Israel! Look now to your own house, David.
13. Then, all the ten tribes of the North broke away and were ruled by Jeroboam the son of Nebat.
14. Attempts by Rehoboam to bring back the Northerners led to the death of Adoram, Solomon’s taskmaster, by being stoned to death.
15. The prophet Shemaiah revealed the futility of Rehoboam’s attempt to fight the Northerners to win back a united kingdom.

Lessons to be learnt by political leaders

1. Leaders must do away with oppressive rule.
2. The welfare of the subjects should be paramount.
3. Leaders should not impose excessive taxation on their people.
4. Leaders should listen to the good advice of the elderly.
5. Leaders should avoid arrogance/must be tolerant.
6. Leaders should not take the people for granted
7. Leaders should use diplomacy to resolve differences.
8. The concerns of the people should be factored into policy and decision making.