Topical Bible: Judgments: Jeroboam

◄ Judgments: Jeroboam ►

Jump to: Nave's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

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 the subsequent establishment of the northern kingdom of Israel. His actions and the divine judgments pronounced upon him are pivotal in understanding the spiritual and political landscape of ancient Israel.

Background and Rise to Power

Jeroboam was an Ephraimite from Zeredah, and his mother was a widow named Zeruah. He first appears in the biblical narrative as a capable and industrious young man whom King Solomon appointed over the labor force of the house of Joseph (1 Kings 11:28). However, Jeroboam's ambition and potential were recognized by the prophet Ahijah the Shilonite, who prophesied that Jeroboam would rule over ten of the twelve tribes of Israel. This prophecy was a direct consequence of Solomon's idolatry and the subsequent divine judgment against his house (1 Kings 11:29-31).

Division of the Kingdom

After Solomon's death, his son Rehoboam ascended to the throne. The northern tribes, dissatisfied with Rehoboam's harsh policies, rebelled and made Jeroboam their king, fulfilling Ahijah's prophecy (1 Kings 12:16-20). This division marked the beginning of the northern kingdom of Israel, with Jeroboam as its first ruler.

Religious Innovations and Idolatry

Jeroboam's reign was characterized by significant religious changes that had lasting implications for Israel. Fearing that his subjects might return to Rehoboam if they continued to worship in Jerusalem, Jeroboam established alternative centers of worship at Bethel and Dan. He set up golden calves 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 the people away from the worship of Yahweh and violating the commandments given to Israel.

Divine Judgment

The Lord's response to Jeroboam's idolatry was swift and severe. A man of God from Judah was sent to Bethel to prophesy against the altar Jeroboam had built, declaring that a future king, Josiah, would desecrate it (1 Kings 13:1-2). Furthermore, the prophet Ahijah later pronounced judgment upon Jeroboam's house, stating that because of his sins, the Lord would "cut off from Jeroboam every male in Israel, slave or free" and that his dynasty would be utterly destroyed (1 Kings 14:10).

Consequences and Legacy

Jeroboam's reign ended in tragedy, as his son Abijah fell ill and died, fulfilling part of the divine judgment against his house (1 Kings 14:17). Jeroboam himself reigned for 22 years before his death, and his legacy was one of spiritual decline and apostasy. The phrase "the sins of Jeroboam" became synonymous with idolatry and disobedience to God, serving as a benchmark for evaluating the subsequent kings of Israel.

Jeroboam's actions and the resulting judgments highlight the importance of faithfulness to God's commandments and the dire consequences of leading others into sin. His account serves as a cautionary tale within the biblical narrative, emphasizing the need for righteous leadership and adherence to divine law.

Nave's Topical Index

1 Kings 14:7-15
Go, tell Jeroboam, Thus said the LORD God of Israel, For as much as I exalted you from among the people, and made you prince over my people Israel,
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Instances from Scripture of Divine Judgments Upon the Self ...
... Chapter XVI."Instances from Scripture of Divine Judgments Upon the Self-Indulgent;
And ... the issue of the idolatry introduced by King Jeroboam"after the ...
/.../chapter xvi instances from scripture of.htm

Jeroboam
... one who dared disobey an express command of Jehovah, Jeroboam should have discerned
the swift displeasure of an offended God, and these judgments should have ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 7 jeroboam.htm

The Rending of the Kingdom
... The Lord through His messenger had spoken plainly to Jeroboam regarding the necessity
of ... right in Mine eyes, and to keep My statutes and My judgments, as did ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 6 the rending of.htm

The New Garment Bent
... And he said to Jeroboam, Take thee ten pieces: for thus saith the Lord, the God ... which
is right in Mine eyes, and to keep My statutes and My judgments, as did ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the new garment bent.htm

The Record of Two Kings
... How little their judgments matter to the dead men ... Jeroboam professed to retain the
worship of Jehovah, and to introduce only a small alteration in setting up a ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the record of two kings.htm

The Assyrian Captivity
... For a season these predicted judgments were stayed, and during the long reign of
Jeroboam II the armies of Israel gained signal victories; but this time of ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 23 the assyrian captivity.htm

The Carcass and the Eagles
... Jeroboam's reign was a time of great prosperity for Israel ... more prosperous than Israel,
and by others to enumerate three instances of God's judgments falling on ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/the carcass and the eagles.htm

Messianic Predictions in the Prophets.
... to do with those who mourn in Zion, who through the inflicted judgments of the ... he
is the most important among the prophets at the time of Jeroboam in Israel ...
/.../christology of the old testament/messianic predictions in the prophets.htm

The Prophet Jonah.
... under Menahem, who ascended the throne 13 years after the death of Jeroboam II. ... of
repentance, which was committed to him, might turn away the judgments of the ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the prophet jonah.htm

The Kingdom Op Judah.
... "But if his children forsake My Law, and walk not in My judgments: if they ... ten northern
tribes broke away from him, setting up as their king, Jeroboam, who had ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson vii the kingdom op.htm