1 Kings — Chapter 12

Israel's revolt against Roboam — \"What portion have we in David?\": Lapide: Here begins the great schism of the ten tribes. The cause was Roboam's foolish rejection of wise counsel in favour of rash youth. Lapide draws the lesson: wise princes must listen to experienced counsellors; pride and folly in rulers destroy kingdoms.

Jeroboam erects the golden calves: \"Behold thy gods, O Israel, who brought thee out of the land of Egypt\": Lapide: Jeroboam, fearing that if the people went up to Jerusalem to the Temple they would return to Roboam, made this schism of religion to support his political schism. The Donatists did the same — setting bishop against bishop, altar against altar, as Augustine noted.

Jeroboam's false priesthood: \"Whosoever would, he filled his hand and made himself priest of the high places\": Lapide notes the contrast with the true Aaronite priesthood — Jeroboam expelled the Levites and ordained any volunteer. This is the type of heretical and schismatic sects who invent their own priesthood without apostolic succession.