Topical Bible: Ephraim: A Tribe of Israel: Revolted from House of David

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Ephraim, one of the twelve tribes of Israel, holds a significant place in biblical history. Named after the younger son of Joseph, Ephraim was blessed by Jacob, who placed him before his older brother Manasseh (Genesis 48:14-20). This tribe became one of the most prominent in the Northern Kingdom of Israel, often representing the entire northern confederation due to its size and influence.

Revolt from the House of David

The division of the united monarchy of Israel into two separate kingdoms is a pivotal event in the history of Ephraim. This schism occurred after the reign of Solomon, during the reign of his son Rehoboam. The tribes of Israel, dissatisfied with Rehoboam's harsh policies, sought relief. Jeroboam, an Ephraimite and former official under Solomon, became the leader of this discontented group.

1 Kings 12:16-20 describes the revolt: "When all Israel saw that the king had refused to listen to them, they 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, O David!' So the Israelites went home, but Rehoboam still reigned over the Israelites living in the cities of Judah. Then King Rehoboam sent out Adoram, who was in charge of the forced labor, but all Israel stoned him to death. And King Rehoboam mounted his chariot in haste and fled to Jerusalem. So Israel has been in rebellion against the house of David to this day. When all Israel heard that Jeroboam had returned, they summoned him to the assembly and made him king over all Israel. Only the tribe of Judah remained loyal to the house of David."

Ephraim played a central role in this rebellion, as Jeroboam was from this tribe. The revolt led to the establishment of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, with Jeroboam as its first king. Ephraim, due to its strategic location and fertile land, became a leading tribe in this new kingdom.

Religious and Political Implications

The revolt had profound religious and political implications. Jeroboam, seeking to consolidate his rule and prevent the people from returning to Jerusalem for worship, established alternative centers of worship in Bethel and Dan. He set up golden calves, leading Israel into idolatry (1 Kings 12:28-30): "After seeking advice, the king made two golden calves and said to the people, 'Going up to Jerusalem is too much for you. Here, O Israel, are your gods, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt.' One calf he set up in Bethel, and the other in Dan. And this thing became a sin; the people walked as far as Dan to worship before one of the calves."

This idolatry marked a significant departure from the worship of Yahweh as prescribed in the Mosaic Law and led to spiritual decline in the Northern Kingdom. The prophets, including Hosea and Amos, later condemned Ephraim for its idolatry and unfaithfulness.

Legacy

The legacy of Ephraim's revolt is seen throughout the prophetic literature, where Ephraim often symbolizes the Northern Kingdom's apostasy and eventual downfall. Despite its rebellion, the tribe of Ephraim is also a symbol of God's enduring mercy and promise of restoration. The prophets speak of a future reunification and redemption for all Israel, including Ephraim, under a new covenant (Jeremiah 31:6-9).

Ephraim's history is a testament to the complexities of faithfulness and rebellion, leadership and division, and the enduring hope of redemption through God's promises.

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1 Kings 12:25
Then Jeroboam built Shechem in mount Ephraim, and dwelled therein; and went out from there, and built Penuel.
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2 Chronicles 10:16
And when all Israel saw that the king would not listen to them, the people answered the king, saying, What portion have we in David? and we have none inheritance in the son of Jesse: every man to your tents, O Israel: and now, David, see to your own house. So all Israel went to their tents.
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Library

"This Thing is from Me"
... all the house of Judah, with the tribe of Benjamin ... against your brethren the children
of Israel: return every ... Jeroboam built Shechem in mount Ephraim, and dwelt ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 42 1896/this thing is from me.htm

The Divided Kingdom.
... (4) The ambition of Jeroboam, of the tribe of Ephraim, a valiant officer of Solomon,
no doubt ... Jehu is enthroned in Israel and destroys the house of Ahab. ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter xiii the divided kingdom.htm

The Nations of the South-East
... crossed the river and raided the highlands of Ephraim. ... Kenites, who took part with
the tribe of Judah ... bonds of friendship and mixture between Israel and Midian ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter iii the nations of.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... a certain Michah in the hill-country of Ephraim and lodged ... of the captivity of the
land."* The tribe of Dan ... itself the most bellicose of the tribes of Israel. ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

The Iranian Conquest
... Achaemenids, and to whom the royal house of Cappadocia ... with the government of a mountain
tribe dwelling to ... or 558 BC,* and that he revolted against Astyages in ...
/.../chapter ithe iranian conquest.htm

The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire
... heaven in the two courts of the house of Jahveh ... of the greatest among the prophets
of Israel"Jeremiah, son ... publisheth evil from the hills of Ephraim: make ye ...
/.../chapter iiithe medes and the.htm