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We have here —

I. A BAD MAN.

1. He was low in origin. Son of one of Solomon's servants, whom the king, finding industrious, made a ruler. His evil character soon became manifest.

2. He formed the ambitious design of usurping the throne. When his design was discovered, he fled to Egypt.

3. At Solomon's death he returned to Jerusalem, proclaimed himself king, and was followed by the ten tribes.

4. He was, notwithstanding, a mighty man of valour. We have —

II. A BAD MAN RAISED UP BY GOD FOR A SPECIFIC PURPOSE. This purpose was the fulfilment of the curse pronounced on David. Some of God's most powerful agents are the wicked. The grandest of His designs have been accomplished by the vilest of the earth.

III. AN INSTRUMENT OF GOD USING HIS POSITION FOR EVIL. "The son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin." This is the description always given to him afterwards. There is no more terrible epithet to be applied to man. Fearful is the condition of him who steps up to the height of his ambition on the blood of immortal souls.

IV. A CRAFTY, WISE MAN PROFITING BY THE FOLLY OF ANOTHER. Rehoboam and Jeroboam were both bad, but Rehoboam lacked the craft and skill of his enemy. Had Rehoboam taken the advice of the wise man, he might have held his position and his kingdom. He missed his chance, and Jeroboam seized the opportunity. It is the tide taken at the turn that enables the wise to surmount all difficulties.

(Homilist.)

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KJV: And he did evil in the sight of the LORD, and walked in the way of his father, and in the way of his mother, and in the way of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin:

WEB: He did that which was evil in the sight of Yahweh, and walked in the way of his father, and in the way of his mother, and in the way of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, in which he made Israel to sin.