◄ 1 Kings 14:20 ►
And the length of Jeroboam's reign was twenty-two years, and he rested with his fathers, and his son Nadab reigned in his place.
Study Bible
The length of Jeroboam’s reign
This phrase introduces us to the duration of Jeroboam's rule over the northern kingdom of Israel. Jeroboam, originally a servant of Solomon, became the first king of the divided northern kingdom after the united monarchy split. His reign is significant in biblical history as it marks the beginning of a period characterized by idolatry and deviation from the worship of Yahweh. The Hebrew root for "reign" (מָלַךְ, malak) implies not just ruling but also the responsibility and authority bestowed by God, even though Jeroboam led Israel into sin.

was twenty-two years
The specific mention of "twenty-two years" provides a historical anchor for Jeroboam's reign. This period is marked by political instability and religious apostasy. Archaeological findings, such as inscriptions and artifacts from this era, corroborate the existence of a divided kingdom, providing a backdrop to the biblical narrative. The number itself, while literal, also symbolizes a complete cycle of leadership, reflecting the biblical theme of God’s sovereignty over time and history.

and he rested with his fathers
This phrase is a common biblical euphemism for death, indicating that Jeroboam died and was buried. The Hebrew word for "rested" (שָׁכַב, shakab) suggests a peaceful end, yet it contrasts with Jeroboam's tumultuous reign. The phrase "with his fathers" implies a continuation of lineage and tradition, yet it also serves as a reminder of the judgment that would follow due to his disobedience to God.

and his son Nadab reigned in his place
The succession of Nadab signifies the continuation of Jeroboam's dynasty, albeit briefly. The Hebrew name "Nadab" (נָדָב) means "willing" or "generous," yet his reign was marked by the same idolatry as his father’s. This transition highlights the biblical theme of generational sin and the consequences of turning away from God. It serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of faithfulness to God’s commandments, as Nadab's reign would soon end in violence and further instability.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jeroboam
The first king of the northern kingdom of Israel after the division of the united monarchy. He is known for leading Israel into idolatry by setting up golden calves in Bethel and Dan.

2. Nadab
The son of Jeroboam who succeeded him as king. His reign continued the idolatrous practices initiated by his father.

3. Israel
The northern kingdom, consisting of ten tribes, which split from Judah after Solomon's reign. Jeroboam was its first king.

4. Rested with his fathers
A phrase indicating death and burial, often used in the Old Testament to denote the end of a king's reign.

5. Reign of twenty-two years
This highlights the duration of Jeroboam's rule, which was marked by significant religious and political changes in Israel.
Teaching Points
The Consequences of Idolatry
Jeroboam's reign is a cautionary tale about the dangers of leading others into idolatry. His actions had long-lasting effects on Israel, leading them away from God.

Leadership and Legacy
The legacy we leave is often shaped by our actions and decisions. Jeroboam's choice to prioritize political stability over spiritual fidelity had negative repercussions for generations.

The Importance of Faithfulness
Despite the political pressures, remaining faithful to God's commands is crucial. Jeroboam's failure to do so serves as a warning to prioritize spiritual integrity over expediency.

The Cycle of Sin
Jeroboam's idolatry set a precedent for future kings of Israel, illustrating how sin can perpetuate through generations if not addressed.
Bible Study Questions
1. What were the key factors that led Jeroboam to establish idolatrous practices in Israel, and how can we avoid similar pitfalls in our own lives?

2. How does Jeroboam's legacy compare to that of other biblical leaders who remained faithful to God, and what can we learn from these comparisons?

3. In what ways can the phrase "rested with his fathers" serve as a reminder of the temporal nature of earthly power and the importance of eternal priorities?

4. How does the continuation of idolatry under Nadab illustrate the impact of parental influence, and what steps can we take to ensure a godly legacy for future generations?

5. Reflecting on the division of the kingdom, how can we apply the lessons of unity and division within the church today, ensuring that we remain focused on God's truth?
Connections to Other Scriptures
1 Kings 12
Details Jeroboam's rise to power and the division of the kingdom, providing context for his reign and the religious practices he instituted.

1 Kings 15
Describes the continuation of idolatry under Nadab, Jeroboam's son, showing the lasting impact of Jeroboam's actions.

2 Chronicles 13
Offers a parallel account of Jeroboam's reign and his conflict with Abijah, king of Judah, emphasizing the consequences of his idolatry.
Sermons
Affliction and JudgmentJ. Urquhart 1 Kings 14:1-20
The ReviewJ.A. Macdonald 1 Kings 14:19, 20
People
Abijah, Abijam, Ahijah, David, Israelites, Jeroboam, Naamah, Nadab, Rehoboam, Shishak, Sodomites, Solomon, Tirzah
Places
Bethel, Egypt, Euphrates River, Jerusalem, Shiloh, Tirzah
Topics
Fathers, Jeroboam, Jerobo'am, Lieth, Nadab, Reign, Reigned, Rest, Rested, Slept, Stead, Succeeded, Twenty, Twenty-two
Dictionary of Bible Themes
1 Kings 14:20

     5535   sleep, and death

Library
Synopsis. --The Gradual Narrowing of the Miraculous Element in the Bible by Recent Discovery and Discussion. --The Alarm Thereby Excited in the Church. --The Fallacy Which
It is barely forty years since that beloved and fearless Christian scholar, Dean Stanley, spoke thus of the miracles recorded of the prophet Elisha: "His works stand alone in the Bible in their likeness to the acts of mediaeval saints. There alone in the Sacred History the gulf between Biblical and Ecclesiastical miracles almost disappears."[5] It required some courage to say as much as this then, while the storm of persecution was raging against Bishop Colenso for his critical work on the Pentateuch. …
James Morris Whiton—Miracles and Supernatural Religion

Jeroboam
BY REV. ALFRED ROWLAND, D.D., LL.B. "Jeroboam, who did sin, and who made Israel to sin."--1 KINGS xiv. 16. Jeroboam's character is worthy of serious study, not only because it influenced the destiny of God's ancient people, but because it suggests lessons of the utmost value to His people still. He may be fairly regarded as a type of those who are successful men of the world. He was not an example of piety, for he had none--nor of lofty principle, for he was an opportunist who made expediency …
George Milligan—Men of the Bible; Some Lesser-Known

Whether Contention is a Mortal Sin?
Objection 1: It would seem that contention is not a mortal sin. For there is no mortal sin in spiritual men: and yet contention is to be found in them, according to Lk. 22:24: "And there was also a strife amongst" the disciples of Jesus, "which of them should . . . be the greatest." Therefore contention is not a mortal sin. Objection 2: Further, no well disposed man should be pleased that his neighbor commit a mortal sin. But the Apostle says (Phil. 1:17): "Some out of contention preach Christ," …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Whether Divination by Drawing Lots is Unlawful?
Objection 1: It would seem that divination by drawing lots is not unlawful, because a gloss of Augustine on Ps. 30:16, "My lots are in Thy hands," says: "It is not wrong to cast lots, for it is a means of ascertaining the divine will when a man is in doubt." Objection 2: There is, seemingly, nothing unlawful in the observances which the Scriptures relate as being practiced by holy men. Now both in the Old and in the New Testament we find holy men practicing the casting of lots. For it is related …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

The Whole Heart
LET me give the principal passages in which the words "the whole heart," "all the heart," are used. A careful study of them will show how wholehearted love and service is what God has always asked, because He can, in the very nature of things, ask nothing less. The prayerful and believing acceptance of the words will waken the assurance that such wholehearted love and service is exactly the blessing the New Covenant was meant to make possible. That assurance will prepare us for turning to the Omnipotence …
Andrew Murray—The Two Covenants

Sovereignty and Human Responsibility
"So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God" (Rom. 14:12). In our last chapter we considered at some length the much debated and difficult question of the human will. We have shown that the will of the natural man is neither Sovereign nor free but, instead, a servant and slave. We have argued that a right conception of the sinner's will-its servitude-is essential to a just estimate of his depravity and ruin. The utter corruption and degradation of human nature is something which …
Arthur W. Pink—The Sovereignty of God

The Prophet Joel.
PRELIMINARY REMARKS. The position which has been assigned to Joel in the collection of the Minor Prophets, furnishes an external argument for the determination of the time at which Joel wrote. There cannot be any doubt that the Collectors were guided by a consideration of the chronology. The circumstance, that they placed the prophecies of Joel just between the two prophets who, according to the inscriptions and contents of their prophecies, belonged to the time of Jeroboam and Uzziah, is …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

Kings
The book[1] of Kings is strikingly unlike any modern historical narrative. Its comparative brevity, its curious perspective, and-with some brilliant exceptions--its relative monotony, are obvious to the most cursory perusal, and to understand these things is, in large measure, to understand the book. It covers a period of no less than four centuries. Beginning with the death of David and the accession of Solomon (1 Kings i., ii.) it traverses his reign with considerable fulness (1 Kings iii.-xi.), …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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