Rehoboam

At Shechem, Rehoboam rejected the elders' advice to reduce taxes and instead threatened to increase them, saying 'My little finger is thicker than my father's loins.' This caused the ten northern tribes to rebel and form the Kingdom of Israel.

Rehoboam fortified numerous cities in Judah, including Bethlehem, Hebron, and Lachish, to defend against the northern kingdom. He also strengthened the army and stored weapons, preparing for the ongoing conflict with Jeroboam.

Pharaoh Shishak of Egypt invaded Judah in the fifth year of Rehoboam's reign. He captured Jerusalem and plundered the Temple and the royal palace, taking the gold shields Solomon had made. This weakened Judah's economy and prestige.