Jeroboam, the son of Nebat, is a significant figure in the history of Israel, known for his role as the first king of the northern kingdom after the division of the united monarchy. His reign is marked by a series of actions that led to spiritual and political consequences for the nation of Israel.

Background and Ascension to Power

Jeroboam was an Ephraimite from Zeredah, and his mother was Zeruah, a widow (1 Kings 11:26). He initially served as an official under King Solomon, overseeing the labor force of the house of Joseph. Recognized for his industrious nature, Jeroboam caught the attention of the prophet Ahijah the Shilonite. Ahijah prophesied that Jeroboam would rule over ten of the twelve tribes of Israel due to Solomon's idolatry and the subsequent divine judgment (1 Kings 11:29-31).

Following Solomon's death, Jeroboam returned from exile in Egypt, where he had fled to escape Solomon's wrath. The people of Israel, dissatisfied with the harsh policies of Solomon's son, Rehoboam, turned to Jeroboam for leadership. This led to the division of the kingdom, with Jeroboam ruling over the northern tribes, forming the kingdom of Israel, while Rehoboam retained control over Judah and Benjamin (1 Kings 12:1-20).

Religious Innovations and Idolatry

Jeroboam's reign is notably characterized by his establishment of alternative worship centers to prevent the people from returning to Jerusalem, which was under Rehoboam's control. Fearing that pilgrimages to the temple in Jerusalem would undermine his authority, 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 idolatry was a direct violation of the first and second commandments and led Israel into sin.

To further consolidate his religious reforms, Jeroboam appointed non-Levitical priests and instituted a festival on the fifteenth day of the eighth month, mimicking the Feast of Tabernacles in Judah (1 Kings 12:31-33). These actions were seen as a deliberate attempt to create a distinct religious identity for the northern kingdom, independent of Jerusalem's influence.

Prophetic Condemnation and Legacy

Jeroboam's idolatry and deviation from the worship of Yahweh brought about prophetic condemnation. 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, and his heart remained hardened.

The prophet Ahijah later delivered a message of judgment against Jeroboam's house, declaring that his dynasty would be cut off due to his sins and the sins he led Israel to commit (1 Kings 14:7-11). This prophecy was fulfilled with the violent end of Jeroboam's lineage, as his son Nadab was assassinated, and his entire family was destroyed by Baasha (1 Kings 15:28-30).

Jeroboam's reign set a precedent for the northern kingdom, with subsequent kings often described as walking in the ways of Jeroboam and perpetuating his sins. His legacy is one of spiritual apostasy and political instability, serving as a cautionary tale of the consequences of turning away from God's commandments.2 Kings 14:24
And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD: he departed not from all the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin.
Nave's Topical Index

Concerning Jeroboam King of Israel and Jonah the Prophet; and How ...
... fifteenth year of the reign of Amaziah, Jeroboam the son of Joash reigned over Israel
in Samaria ... This king was guilty of contumely against God, [18] and ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 10 concerning jeroboam king.htm

The Divided Kingdom.
... Jeroboam II, 2:K.14:23-29. ... 10-23:6. Reigned 6 years and was slain when Joash became
king. ... 3) The wicked reign of Ahab, who introduced Baal worship into Israel. ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter xiii the divided kingdom.htm

Jeroboam
... Vain had been Jeroboam's effort to invest with solemnity the dedication of a strange
altar ... By the message of the prophet, the king of Israel should have been ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 7 jeroboam.htm

Concerning Ahaziah; the King of Israel; and Again Concerning the ...
... now Ahaziah, the son of Ahab, reigned over Israel, and made ... like to both his parents
and to Jeroboam, who first ... the second year of his reign, the king of Moab ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 2 concerning ahaziah the.htm

How Zerah, King of the Ethiopians, was Beaten by Asa; and How Asa ...
... already described the destruction of the house of Jeroboam. ... Upon which the people
of Israel were presently divided ... of them would have Tibni to be king, and part ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 12 how zerah king.htm

How Jehu was Anointed King, and Slew Both Joram and Ahaziah; as ...
... their house might utterly perish, as those of Jeroboam the son ... father-in-law, Ethbaal,
who was the king of Tyre ... that his sons should reign over Israel for four ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 6 how jehu was.htm

Hazael Makes an Expedition against the People of Israel and the ...
... to Adad his son, with whom Joash, king of Israel ... had taken from the kingdom of Israel,
which came ... in Samaria, and the government devolved on his son Jeroboam. ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 8 hazael makes an.htm

First and Second Kings.
... Israel or the northern kingdom was always jealous of Judah. ... There were nineteen king,
from Jeroboam to Hoshea, whose names and the number of years they ...
/.../the way of salvation in the lutheran church/chapter ix first and second.htm

The Antiquities of the Jews
... What He Did For The Punishment Of The Wicked. ... An Expedition Against The People Of
Israel And The ... Concerning Jeroboam King Of Israel And Jonah The Prophet; And ...
//christianbookshelf.org/josephus/the antiquities of the jews/

The Instrumentality of the Wicked Employed by God, While He ...
... but I will do this thing before all Israel, and before ... we reconcile the two
things,"that Jeroboam's reign was not of God, and yet God appointed him king? ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 18 the instrumentality of.htm

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

What is the story of Rehoboam and Jeroboam? | GotQuestions.org

What was the sin of Jeroboam? | GotQuestions.org

Jeroboam: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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