Jeroboam, son of Nebat, emerges as a pivotal figure in the history of Israel, known for his role as the first king of the northern kingdom following the division of the united monarchy. His account is primarily chronicled in the books of 1 Kings and 2 Chronicles.

Background and Rise to Power

Jeroboam was an Ephraimite from Zeredah, and his mother was a widow named Zeruah (1 Kings 11:26). He initially served under King Solomon, who recognized his industrious nature and appointed him over the labor force of the house of Joseph (1 Kings 11:28). This position of authority, however, set the stage for his eventual rise to kingship.

The prophet Ahijah the Shilonite played a crucial role in Jeroboam's ascent. Ahijah met Jeroboam on the road and symbolically tore a new cloak into twelve pieces, giving ten to Jeroboam. This act represented God's intention to tear the kingdom from Solomon's hand and give ten tribes to Jeroboam, leaving one tribe for the sake of David and Jerusalem (1 Kings 11:29-32). This divine appointment was a response to Solomon's idolatry and the turning away of his heart from the LORD.

Revolt and Establishment of the Northern Kingdom

After Solomon's death, his son Rehoboam ascended to the throne. Jeroboam, who had fled to Egypt to escape Solomon's wrath, returned upon hearing of Solomon's death (1 Kings 11:40; 12:2). The people of Israel, discontented with Rehoboam's harsh policies, turned to Jeroboam for leadership. When Rehoboam refused to lighten the burdens imposed by his father, the ten northern tribes revolted, declaring their independence and making Jeroboam their king (1 Kings 12:16-20).

Religious Reforms and Idolatry

Jeroboam's reign was marked by significant religious changes, primarily driven by his fear of losing the people's loyalty if they continued to worship in Jerusalem. To prevent this, he established two golden calves, placing them in Bethel and Dan, and declared, "Here are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt" (1 Kings 12:28). This act of idolatry was a grave sin, leading Israel into apostasy and setting a precedent for future kings.

Jeroboam also appointed non-Levitical priests and instituted a festival on the fifteenth day of the eighth month, similar to the Feast of Tabernacles in Judah, further solidifying the religious schism (1 Kings 12:31-33).

Prophetic Condemnation and Legacy

Jeroboam's actions drew the condemnation of prophets. A man of God from Judah prophesied against the altar at Bethel, foretelling its destruction by a future king named Josiah (1 Kings 13:1-2). Despite these warnings, Jeroboam did not turn from his evil ways, leading to the eventual downfall of his house.

The LORD's judgment was pronounced through Ahijah, who declared that Jeroboam's dynasty would be cut off and that disaster would come upon Israel because of the sins he led them into (1 Kings 14:7-11). Jeroboam reigned for 22 years, and his legacy was one of division and idolatry, often referenced in Scripture as the standard of sin for subsequent kings of Israel.

Conclusion

Jeroboam's reign marks a significant turning point in Israel's history, characterized by political division and religious apostasy. His actions had long-lasting implications, influencing the spiritual trajectory of the northern kingdom and serving as a cautionary tale of the consequences of turning away from the LORD.1 Kings 11:28
And the man Jeroboam was a mighty man of valor: and Solomon seeing the young man that he was industrious, he made him ruler over all the charge of the house of Joseph.
Nave's Topical Index

The New Garment Bent
... ill-omened name on the page for the first time since ... No doubt it was as Jeroboam's
ally that Shishak invaded Judah ... It was a bad beginning for a king of Israel ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the new garment bent.htm

The Kingdom Op Judah.
... permitted to gain a great victory over Jeroboam, but he ... He was first punished by
the loss of the Edomites ... armed, and the people were shown their little king. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson vii the kingdom op.htm

Questions.
... 21. What was the end of the house of Jeroboam? 22. ... Who conquered Rome? 13. How did
Alaric treat Rome? 14. Who was the first Christian King of France? 15. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/questions.htm

Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire ...
... in the days of Jeroboam, the son of Joash (Jehoash), King of Israel ... The first three
chapters probably date from the end of the reign of Jeroboam, about 750 ...
/.../chapter iitiglath-pileser iii and the.htm

Funeral Oration on the Great S. Basil, Bishop of C??sarea in ...
... along a level and easy, in fact, a king's highway: henceforth ... is among the kings,
but so also is Jeroboam, the slave ... or a painter who has not first studied the ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/oration xliii funeral oration on.htm

Who was Ahijah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Who was King Rehoboam in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Why was Israel divided into the Southern Kingdom and Northern Kingdom? | GotQuestions.org

Jeroboam: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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