Sign: Given to Jeroboam
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The sign given to Jeroboam is a significant event in the biblical narrative, marking a divine intervention and prophetic declaration concerning the future of the kingdom of Israel. This event is recorded in 1 Kings 11:29-31 and involves the prophet Ahijah and Jeroboam, the son of Nebat.

Context and Background

Jeroboam was an Ephraimite and a servant of King Solomon, who was recognized for his industrious nature and leadership abilities. Solomon appointed him as the overseer of the labor force from the house of Joseph (1 Kings 11:28). However, due to Solomon's idolatry and the subsequent divine judgment pronounced upon his house, God sought to raise Jeroboam as a leader over a divided kingdom.

The Prophetic Encounter

The pivotal moment occurs when Jeroboam encounters the prophet Ahijah the Shilonite. The Bible describes this encounter as taking place in the open country, where Ahijah finds Jeroboam alone. Ahijah, wearing a new cloak, performs a symbolic act that serves as a divine sign. The Berean Standard Bible recounts the event as follows:

"At that time, Jeroboam went out of Jerusalem, and the prophet Ahijah the Shilonite met him on the road, wearing a new cloak. The two of them were alone in the open field, and Ahijah took hold of the new cloak he was wearing, tore it into twelve pieces, and said to Jeroboam, 'Take ten pieces for yourself, for this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: "Behold, I will tear the kingdom out of the hand of Solomon and give you ten tribes"'" (1 Kings 11:29-31).

Symbolism and Significance

The tearing of the cloak into twelve pieces and the allocation of ten pieces to Jeroboam is rich in symbolism. It represents the division of the united monarchy of Israel into two separate entities: the northern kingdom, consisting of ten tribes, which Jeroboam would rule, and the southern kingdom, consisting of the tribe of Judah and part of Benjamin, which would remain under the rule of Solomon's lineage.

This act is not merely a political maneuver but a fulfillment of divine will, as God seeks to discipline the house of David for Solomon's apostasy while preserving a remnant for the sake of His covenant with David. The sign given to Jeroboam underscores God's sovereignty over the nations and His ability to raise leaders according to His purposes.

Jeroboam's Response and Legacy

Jeroboam's response to the sign and subsequent rise to power is marked by both opportunity and failure. While he is granted the leadership of the ten tribes, his reign is characterized by idolatry and a departure from the worship of Yahweh, as he establishes golden calves in Bethel and Dan to prevent his people from returning to Jerusalem for worship (1 Kings 12:28-30).

The sign given to Jeroboam thus serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness to His word and the consequences of disobedience. It highlights the tension between divine promise and human responsibility, a theme that resonates throughout the biblical narrative.
Nave's Topical Index
1 Kings 13:3-5
And he gave a sign the same day, saying, This is the sign which the LORD has spoken; Behold, the altar shall be rent, and the ashes that are on it shall be poured out.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Jeroboam
... out from the altar, according to the sign which the man of God had given by the
word of the Lord." 1 Kings 13:2, 3, 5. On seeing this, Jeroboam was filled with ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 7 jeroboam.htm

How, Upon the Death of Solomon the People Forsook his Son Rehoboam ...
... and answered as the young men had given him counsel. ... feast [of tabernacles] was just
approaching, Jeroboam was desirous ... come to pass, I foretell a sign to them ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 8 how upon the.htm

Of the Prophecies of the Birth and Achievements of Christ.
... the king of the Assyrians," this is a wondrous sign. ... likewise says, "And to Him shall
be given of the ... had at that time revolted from God under King Jeroboam. ...
/.../tertullian/an answer to the jews/chapter ix of the prophecies of.htm

The Historicity of the Book of Jonah.
... It is written in 2 Kings 14:25 that Jeroboam the Second secured the restoration
of certain ... Of that generation he said: "There shall no sign be given it, but ...
/.../viii the historicity of the.htm

"This Thing is from Me"
... commentator says that it is the only sign of wisdom ... case before his God he would
have given him somewhat of ... So Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 42 1896/this thing is from me.htm

Isaiah's Prophecies Considered the virginity of Christ's Mother a ...
... the king of Assyria is no doubt a wonderful sign. ... David also says: "And there shall
be given to Him ... had then revolted from God from the days of king Jeroboam. ...
/.../chapter xiii isaiahs prophecies considered the.htm

How to Split a Kingdom
... of the old men, which they had given him, and ... Lord spake by Ahijah the Shilonite
unto Jeroboam the son ... Revised Version, we see another suspicious sign in the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/how to split a kingdom.htm

Comparison Between the False Church and the True.
... were initiated in religion by the sign of circumcision ... it was in the kingdom of Israel
under Jeroboam. ... honour, power, and jurisdiction, Christ has given to his ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 2 comparison between the.htm

The Hebrew Prophecies.
... have been superfluous anywhere in Israel in the days of Jeroboam II., and ... and adulterous
generation seeketh a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it ...
/.../gladden/who wrote the bible/chapter v the hebrew prophecies.htm

Gifts no Certain Evidence of Grace.
... been demanded; as was afterwards of Christ""What sign shewest thou ... It was sometimes
given without it ... of God who was sent from Judah to reprove Jeroboam, had it ...
/.../lee/sermons on various important subjects/sermon xiv gifts no certain.htm

Resources
Sign of the cross - what is the meaning? | GotQuestions.org

What was the purpose of the biblical sign gifts? | GotQuestions.org

What is the sign of Jonah? | GotQuestions.org

Sign: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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Subtopics

Cosigning

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Sign: A Token of Coming Events

Sign: Asked for By, and Given to Abraham

Sign: Asked for By, and Given to Gideon

Sign: Asked for By, and Given to Hezekiah

Sign: Asked for By, and Given to Moses

Sign: Asked for By, and Given to Zacharias

Sign: Given to Jeroboam

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Wave (65 Occurrences)

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Target (14 Occurrences)

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Before (18954 Occurrences)

Baal-perazim (2 Occurrences)

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Betrayer (5 Occurrences)

Beat (85 Occurrences)

Beth-hacche'rem (2 Occurrences)

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Evolution

Sign: Asked for By, and Given to Zacharias
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