Topical Bible: Presumption: Jeroboam

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Jeroboam, the son of Nebat, is a significant figure in the history of Israel, known for his role in the division of the united monarchy and his subsequent reign as the first king of the northern kingdom of Israel. His account is marked by acts of presumption, which had lasting consequences for the nation and its spiritual state.

Background and Rise to Power

Jeroboam was an Ephraimite from Zeredah, and he initially served as an official under King Solomon. Recognized for his industrious nature, Solomon appointed him over the labor force of the house of Joseph (1 Kings 11:28). However, Jeroboam's ambitions were stirred when the prophet Ahijah the Shilonite met him and tore a new cloak into twelve pieces, giving Jeroboam ten of them. This symbolic act prophesied that Jeroboam would rule over ten tribes of Israel, as God was about to tear the kingdom from Solomon's son due to Solomon's idolatry (1 Kings 11:29-31).

Presumption in Establishing a New Kingdom

After Solomon's death, Jeroboam returned from Egypt, where he had fled to escape Solomon's wrath. The people of Israel, dissatisfied with Rehoboam's harsh policies, turned to Jeroboam, making him king over the northern tribes (1 Kings 12:1-20). Jeroboam's presumption became evident as he sought to secure his rule by establishing alternative centers of worship. Fearing that the people's continued pilgrimage to Jerusalem would lead them back to Rehoboam, Jeroboam set up golden calves in Bethel and Dan, declaring, "Here are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt" (1 Kings 12:28). This act of presumption directly violated the first and second commandments, leading Israel into idolatry.

Religious Innovations and Consequences

Jeroboam's presumption extended to altering the religious practices of Israel. He appointed non-Levitical priests and instituted a festival on the fifteenth day of the eighth month, similar to the Feast of Tabernacles in Judah, but of his own devising (1 Kings 12:31-33). These actions were not only presumptuous but also rebellious against the established worship ordained by God. Jeroboam's innovations set a precedent for future kings of Israel, who continued in his sinful ways, leading the nation further away from God.

Divine Judgment and Legacy

The consequences of Jeroboam's presumption were severe. A man of God from Judah prophesied against the altar at Bethel, foretelling its destruction and the desecration of its priests (1 Kings 13:1-3). Despite witnessing miraculous signs, Jeroboam did not repent. Instead, he persisted in his ways, prompting God's judgment. The prophet Ahijah later declared that Jeroboam's house would be cut off, and Israel would be uprooted from the land because of the sins he had led them into (1 Kings 14:7-16).

Jeroboam's legacy is one of spiritual decline and division. His presumption in establishing a rival religious system and his disregard for God's commandments had enduring effects, contributing to the eventual downfall of the northern kingdom. His actions serve as a cautionary tale of the dangers of presumption and the importance of faithful adherence to God's word.

Nave's Topical Index

1 Kings 13:4
And it came to pass, when king Jeroboam heard the saying of the man of God, which had cried against the altar in Bethel, that he put forth his hand from the altar, saying, Lay hold on him. And his hand, which he put forth against him, dried up, so that he could not pull it in again to him.
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Library

Epistle Lxxv. To Magnus, on Baptizing the Novatians, and those who ...
... of his own accord deserting from the Church is by heretical presumption condemned
of ... from the house of David, and they made themselves a king, Jeroboam the son ...
/.../cyprian/the epistles of cyprian/epistle lxxv to magnus on.htm

Of Orders.
... faith out of their own fancies, as they have hitherto had the presumption to do. ...
very far from being really so; such priests as those whom Jeroboam ordained in ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/luther/first principles of the reformation/of orders.htm

Concerning the Sacrament of Penance
... The pontiffs we have nowadays are such as those whom Jeroboam established at Dan ...
They effect nothing by their rash presumption, but to ensnare needlessly the ...
/.../first principles of the reformation/concerning the sacrament of penance.htm

A Sermon on Isaiah xxvi. By John Knox.
... of him, that is exalted above others, should be lifted up by presumption and pride ...
such as then had declined to idolatry from the days of Jeroboam; and therefore ...
/.../knox/the pulpit of the reformation nos 1 2 and 3 /a sermon on isaiah xxvi.htm

Isaiah
... But because she executes her task in a spirit of presumption and pride, she in ... Who
the invader was it is hard to say"possibly Jeroboam II of Israel, whose ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/isaiah.htm

Alive or Dead --Which?
... the not laying hold of Jesus is the sin of sins"it is like Jeroboam, of whom ... I should
think I was guilty of a gross presumption if I went into the company of ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 13 1867/alive or deadwhich.htm

Chapter xlix
... It was among the tribe of Ephraim that one of its sons, Jeroboam, instituted the
calf worship, whereby he "made Israel ... That would be presumption on Jacob's part ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xlix.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 6. <. ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

I Will Pray with the Spirit and with the Understanding Also-
... not thinking of this word, or at least the not understanding it in the spirit and
truth of it, hath occasioned these men to devise, as Jeroboam did, another ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/i will pray with the.htm

The Resurrection of the Dead, and Eternal Judgment:
... that now we think we have from God, will then be found presumption and madness ...
bed-chamber (2 Kings 6:12); Ahijah could know by this, Jeroboam's wife, so soon ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the resurrection of the dead.htm