Charles Ellicott Commentary 1 Kings 12:15

"So the king hearkened not unto the people; for it was a thing brought about of Jehovah, that he might establish his word, which Jehovah spake by Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam the son of Nebat." — 1 Kings 12:15 (ASV)

For the cause was from the Lord. —The very idea of Scriptural history, referring all things to God, necessarily brings us continually face to face with the great mystery of life—the reconciliation of God’s all-foreseeing and all-ordaining Providence with the freedom and, in consequence, with the folly and sin of humanity.

As a rule, Holy Scripture—on this point confirming natural reason—simply recognises both powers as real, without any attempt, even by suggestion, to harmonise them. It, of course, refers all to God’s will, fulfilling or avenging itself in many ways, inspiring and guiding the good, and overruling the evil in humanity. But it just as invariably implies human freedom and responsibility. Rehoboam’s folly and arrogance worked out the ordained judgment of God; but they were folly and arrogance still.