But as the hand of affliction was removed, and the nation prospered once more, many forgot their fears and turned again to idolatry. Among these was King Rehoboam himself. Though humbled by the calamity that had befallen 96 him, he failed to make this experience a decisive turning point in his life. Forgetting the lesson that God had endeavored to teach him, he relapsed into the sins that had brought judgments on the nation. After a few inglorious years, during which the king "did evil, because he prepared not his heart to seek the Lord," "Rehoboam slept with his fathers, and was buried in the City of David: and Abijah his son reigned in his stead." Verses 14, 16.

Men da den hånd, som afstraffede dem, blev trukket tilbage, og det endnu engang gik fremad for nationen, glemte mange deres ængstelse og gav sig til at dyrke afguder igen, Kongen var ingen undtagelse. Skønt han ydmygede sig, da ulykken hjemsøgte ham, blev det ikke et afgørende vendepunkt i hans liv. Han glemte den lektie, som Gud ville lære ham, og begik atter de synder, som havde nedkaldt straffene over landet. Da der var forløbet nogle få år, som var alt andet end lyse fordi kongen gjorde, hvad der var ondt, thi hans hjerte var ikke vendt mod Herren, lagde Rehabeam sig til hvile hos sine fædre og blev jordet i Davidsbyen og hans søn Abija blev konge i hans sted". 2Kong 12,14-16.