Midras 1 Raja-raja 11:29: Midrash Tehillim & Ein Yaakov (Glick Edition)

Fools will not stand before your eyes. Their hearts are full of folly. Another thing, fools are those who bring lamentation to the world. Another thing, fools are those who cause confusion. As it is said (Ecclesiastes 2:2), "I said of laughter, 'It is mad.'" Rabbi Yissachar said, a person can amass piles of sins, and God says, "Let him repent," and he is considered as if he had never sinned, as it is written (Job 11:11), "For He knows men of falsehood; He sees iniquity without investigating it." Rabbi Simon interpreted the verse concerning Ishmael (Genesis 21:19), "Then God opened her eyes," to mean that God reveals the truth to those who are willing to see it. The ministering angels said to God, "Master of the Universe, if a person is destined to kill Your children out of thirst, why do You give him a well?" As it is said (Isaiah 21:13), "A burden upon Arabia." God asked them, "Is this person righteous or wicked?" They replied, "Righteous." God said, "I judge a person based on his actions at that moment, as it is said (Genesis 21:17), 'For God has heard the cry of the lad where he is.'" Rabbi Chanina bar Papa interpreted the verse concerning Jeroboam (1 Kings 11:29), "And they two alone in the field," to mean that the measure of his sin was equal to that of his contemporary, the Shilonite. They both sat to study the work of the Divine Chariot. The ministering angels said to God, "If a person is destined to set up two calves for worship, why do You show him the order of the Divine Chariot?" God asked them, "And now, what is he?" They replied, "Righteous." God said, "I judge a person based on his actions at that moment."

(I Kin. 11, 29) And it came to pass at that time, when Jeroboam went out of Jerusalem, etc. It was taught in the name of R. Jose: At that time, refers to the time designated for evil dispensation (Gen. 38, 1) At that time when Juda went down; R. Jose says: "A time designated for evil." (Jer. 51, 18) In the time of their visitation shall they perish. It was taught in the name of R. Jose: A time designated for evil dispensation. (Isa. 49, 8) In the time of favor have I answered thee. It was taught in the name of R. Jose: A time designated for Divine goodness. (Ex. 32, 34) Nevertheless in the day when I visit, I will visit their sins upon them. It was taught in the name of R. Jose: A time designated for evil dispensation. (I Kin. 12, 1) And Rehoboam went to Shechem; for all Israel were come to Shechem to make him king. It was taught in the name of R. Jose: That place was designated for trouble. In Shechem Dina was assaulted; in the same place Joseph was sold by his brothers, and in the same place the kingdom of David was divided. And (Ib. 11, 29) And it came to pass at that time when Jeroboam went out of Jerusalem. R. Chana b. Papa said: "It means he went out of the destiny of Jerusalem (i.e., was to have no share in the welfare of Jerusalem)." (Ib., ib. 7) That the Shilonite, the prophet Achiyah, found him in the way; how Achiyah had clad himself with a new garment, what does it mean? R. Nachman said: "As a new garment has no spots so also was the teaching of Jeroboam clean, without any error." According to others: "They renewed things which no ear has ever heard of." And what is meant by, And they two were alone in the field? R. Juda said in the name of Rab: "All other scholars were like the plants of the field in comparison with them." According to others: "All the reasons for the commandment of the Torah were revealed to them as a field." (Mic. 1, 14) Therefore shalt thou give a parting gift to Moreshethgath; the houses of Achzib shall be a deceitful thing unto the kings of Israel. R. Chanina b. Papa said: "A heavenly voice was heard saying: 'To him who has killed Goliath, the Philistine, and inherited to you the city of Gath, should ye send away his descendants? Therefore the house of Achzib shall be a deceitful thing unto the kings of Israel.'"