The Difference, 2 Chronicles 10:14

This post concerns the difference in Judaism and Samaritanism.

The Difference discusses how the Jews worshipped God and how the people of Samaria worshipped God.

This variation in worship traces back to a statement by Solomon’s son, Rehoboam, to the people when they ask if he would reduce their heavy yoke, 2 Chronicles 10:14. “King Rehoboam spoke to them according to the counsel  of the young men, saying, “My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add to it. My father disciplined you with whips, but I will discipline you with scorpions.”

Hearing that, the ten northern tribes revolted, 1 Kings 14:16. “And when all Israel saw that the king did not listen to them, the people answered the king, “What portion do we have in David? We have no inheritance in the son of Jesse. To your tents, O Israel! Look now to your own house, David.” So, Israel went to their tents.”

  The ten northern tribes turned to Jeroboam as their king.

Although both groups believed in the same God, Jeroboam soon instituted an addition to their worship by placing golden calves at Dan and Bethel. He did not want anyone to go to Jerusalem to worship. He felt they would ultimately return to the authority of Rehoboam.

In addition, he appointed priests of the regular people rather than from the tribe of Levy.

This worship of idols remained until the Assyrians conquered them and took them captives to foreign lands. The Assyrians populated the Northern kingdom with foreigners they had captured. But these foreigners did not worship God. So, lions appeared, 2 Kings 17:25. “Therefore the LORD sent lions among them, which killed some of them.”

The Assyrian king brought a priest from the exiles to instruct worship of God in the city of Samaria. But they also worshipped idols.

This post helps understand the difference in the Samaritans and the Jews as we read the New Testament.

So, what did we learn?

1.When Rehoboam alienated the ten northern tribes, they formed a separate kingdom with Jeroboam as king.

2.Jeroboam introduced idol worship.

3.The Samaritans worshipped in Samaria, not Jerusalem.

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