Topical Bible: Servants: Bad: Jeroboam

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Jeroboam, the son of Nebat, is a prominent figure in the Old Testament, known for his role as the first king of the northern kingdom of Israel after the division of the united monarchy. His account is primarily found in the books of 1 Kings and 2 Chronicles. Jeroboam's reign is often characterized by his disobedience to God and the introduction of idolatry, which had lasting negative effects on the spiritual state of Israel.

Background and Rise to Power

Jeroboam was an Ephraimite from Zeredah, and his mother was Zeruah, a widow (1 Kings 11:26). He initially served as a servant under King Solomon, where he was recognized for his industrious nature and was appointed as an overseer of the labor force of the house of Joseph (1 Kings 11:28). However, Jeroboam's ambition and subsequent rebellion against Solomon were foretold by the prophet Ahijah. Ahijah prophesied that God would tear the kingdom from Solomon's son and give ten tribes to Jeroboam, leaving only one tribe for Solomon's lineage for the sake of David and Jerusalem (1 Kings 11:31-32).

Rebellion and Idolatry

After Solomon's death, Jeroboam returned from Egypt, where he had fled to escape Solomon's wrath (1 Kings 11:40). The people of Israel, dissatisfied with Rehoboam, Solomon's son, turned to Jeroboam and made him king over the northern tribes (1 Kings 12:20). However, Jeroboam's reign was marked by significant spiritual decline. Fearing that the people would return to the house of David if they continued to worship in Jerusalem, Jeroboam established alternative centers of worship in Bethel and Dan. He made two 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 direct violation of God's commandments and led Israel into sin.

Consequences and Legacy

Jeroboam's actions had severe consequences. His idolatry set a precedent for future kings of Israel, leading the nation further away from God. The Bible repeatedly refers to the sins of Jeroboam as a benchmark for evil, stating that subsequent kings "walked in the ways of Jeroboam and in his sin, which he had caused Israel to commit" (1 Kings 15:34). Despite warnings from prophets, including a man of God from Judah who prophesied against the altar at Bethel (1 Kings 13:1-3), Jeroboam persisted in his sinful ways.

God's judgment on Jeroboam was pronounced through the prophet Ahijah, who declared that Jeroboam's house would be cut off and destroyed (1 Kings 14:10-11). This prophecy was fulfilled when Jeroboam's son, Nadab, was assassinated, and his entire family was wiped out by Baasha, who succeeded him as king (1 Kings 15:29).

Jeroboam's reign lasted 22 years, and he was succeeded by his son Nadab (1 Kings 14:20). His legacy is one of disobedience and idolatry, serving as a cautionary tale of the consequences of turning away from God's commandments.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Kings 11:26
And Jeroboam the son of Nebat, an Ephrathite of Zereda, Solomon's servant, whose mother's name was Zeruah, a widow woman, even he lifted up his hand against the king.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Building of the Golden House.
... people, that I may discern between good and bad, for who ... she had seen all his palace,
and his servants, and the ... the ten tribes chose a man named Jeroboam to be ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter xxvi the building of.htm

How to Split a Kingdom
... speak good words to them, then they will be thy servants for ever ... Jeroboam was scheming
for a crown. ... To act on such motives is bad enough, but to put them into ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/how to split a kingdom.htm

CHAP. I. -II. 3 (II. 1).
... prophets, and the blood of all the servants of the ... that Jehu was actuated by motives
so bad, is sufficiently ... who had destroyed the house of Jeroboam I., "on ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/chap i -ii 3 ii 1.htm

"This Thing is from Me"
... Oh, that God's servants in these days could speak with ... history repeats itself, only,
if it be bad history, it ... Jeroboam makes not merely one calf, but two; and ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 42 1896/this thing is from me.htm

The Prophet Hosea.
... things lie open before God and His servants "before they ... viz., still under the reign
of Jeroboam, when the ... have become so, because of the bad foundation on ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the prophet hosea.htm

The Unclean Spirits.
... Jeroboam "ordained him priests for the high places, and for ... are supposed to be good
and others bad, and capable ... Then said Saul unto his servants, Seek a woman ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the unclean spirits.htm

Ahab and Naboth
... First, Jeroboam began by trying to wean his people from ... Make laws as artfully as
you will, bad men can ... in those whom they employ, in their servants, in their ...
/.../kingsley/sermons for the times/sermon xi ahab and naboth.htm

Human Responsibility
... As many as are the real called and sent servants of God, are not ... that was bad enough;
but hear the gospel and continue a thief, and you ... It is like Jeroboam. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/human responsibility.htm

False Profession.
... a bad way for a good, but one bad way for ... their darling sins, as some change their
servants; that which ... One Balaam, one Jeroboam, one Ahab, O how many fish ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bunyan/the riches of bunyan/xx false profession.htm

Appendices
... tribute to Assyria 841 Jehoanaz 814 Jehoash 798 Jeroboam II ... servants, and those who
are with him and with his servants. ... thou payest it as the price of a bad rag ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/appendices.htm