Jeroboam
“The people increase or he pleads the people's cause”
Summary
The name of two kings of the northern kingdom of Israel: Jeroboam I, who led the revolt of the ten tribes and established idolatrous calf worship, and Jeroboam II, under whom Israel reached its greatest territorial extent.
☩Jeroboam I: Rise to Power
Jeroboam, son of Nebat, was an Ephraimite from Zeredah whose mother Zeruah was a widow. Recognized by Solomon for his ability, he was appointed overseer of the labor force from the house of Joseph during the building projects at Jerusalem. The prophet Ahijah of Shiloh met him outside Jerusalem and, tearing his new garment into twelve pieces, gave him ten, symbolizing God's intention to give him ten tribes as punishment for Solomon's idolatry. When Solomon sought to kill him for his subsequent rebellion, Jeroboam fled to Egypt, finding refuge with Pharaoh Shishak until Solomon's death. Upon Rehoboam's accession, Jeroboam led the delegation demanding tax relief; when Rehoboam foolishly threatened harsher measures, the ten tribes made Jeroboam their king at Shechem, permanently dividing the kingdom.
☩Jeroboam I: The Great Sin
Fearing that his subjects' pilgrimages to Jerusalem's temple would eventually restore their loyalty to Judah, Jeroboam took counsel and made two golden calves, setting one in Bethel and one in Dan. Echoing Aaron's words at Sinai, he proclaimed, 'Behold thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.' He made priests of the lowest classes (not of Levi), built shrines on high places, and instituted a feast in the eighth month to rival Jerusalem's Feast of Tabernacles. Though a prophet from Judah denounced the altar at Bethel—causing Jeroboam's hand to wither when he stretched it forth to seize him—the king was momentarily humbled but did not repent. This 'sin of Jeroboam wherewith he made Israel to sin' became the standard condemnation of every subsequent northern king, none of whom departed from it.
☩Jeroboam I: Judgment and Death
When Jeroboam's son Abijah became ill, he sent his wife disguised to inquire of the aged prophet Ahijah, who had first promised him the kingdom. Though blind, Ahijah recognized her by divine revelation and delivered God's severe judgment: because Jeroboam had done evil above all before him, the child would die upon her return, and God would utterly sweep away Jeroboam's house 'as a man taketh away dung.' Furthermore, Israel would eventually be scattered beyond the Euphrates for following Jeroboam's idolatry. The child died as prophesied, and Jeroboam himself died after a twenty-two year reign, succeeded briefly by his son Nadab, who was assassinated by Baasha along with every member of Jeroboam's house—fulfilling Ahijah's prophecy completely.
☩Jeroboam II: Restoration Without Repentance
Jeroboam II, son of Joash, was the fourth king of Jehu's dynasty and reigned forty-one years—the longest reign in northern Israel's history. Though he 'did evil in the sight of the Lord' and 'departed not from all the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat,' God used him to restore Israel's borders from the entering of Hamath to the Sea of the Arabah (Dead Sea), fulfilling the prophecy of Jonah. This was not because of Israel's merit but because God saw their affliction and had not yet determined to blot out their name. Under Jeroboam II, Israel reached its greatest territorial extent since Solomon, reconquering Damascus and recovering Transjordanian territories. Yet the prophets Amos and Hosea, who ministered during his reign, denounced the spiritual corruption, social injustice, and false worship that flourished beneath the veneer of prosperity. His death marked the beginning of Israel's rapid decline toward destruction.
Related Verses100 mentions
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Jeroboam," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IV (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Jeroboam," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. III (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.George Morrish, "Jeroboam (1)," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).
- 4.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Jeroboam," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).