Jeroboam, the son of Nebat, is a significant figure in the history of Israel, known for his role in leading the northern tribes in rebellion against the house of David and establishing the northern kingdom of Israel. His life and reign are marked by a series of temptations that led him and his people away from the worship of Yahweh, resulting in long-lasting consequences for the nation.

Background and Rise to Power

Jeroboam was an Ephraimite from Zeredah, a servant of King Solomon, and a man of standing. Solomon recognized his capabilities and appointed him over the labor force of the house of Joseph (1 Kings 11:28). However, Jeroboam's ambition and the prophecy of Ahijah the Shilonite, who tore his new cloak into twelve pieces and gave ten to Jeroboam, signified God's intention to give him rule over ten tribes due to Solomon's idolatry (1 Kings 11:29-31).

The Temptation of Power

Upon Solomon's death, Jeroboam returned from Egypt, where he had fled to escape Solomon's wrath. The people of Israel, dissatisfied with Rehoboam's harsh policies, turned to Jeroboam, making him king over the northern tribes (1 Kings 12:1-20). This newfound power presented Jeroboam with the temptation to secure his reign by any means necessary.

The Sin of Idolatry

Fearing that his subjects would return to the house of David if they continued to worship in Jerusalem, Jeroboam succumbed to the temptation of idolatry. He made two golden calves, placing one in Bethel and the other in Dan, 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 the first and second commandments and led Israel into sin.

Establishment of a False Religion

Jeroboam's temptation to consolidate his power led him to establish a counterfeit religious system. He built shrines on high places, appointed priests from all sorts of people who were not Levites, and instituted a festival on the fifteenth day of the eighth month, similar to the festival in Judah (1 Kings 12:31-33). These actions were designed to rival the worship in Jerusalem and keep the people from returning to the Davidic kingdom.

Prophetic Warnings and Consequences

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 practices. The prophet Ahijah later foretold the downfall of Jeroboam's house, declaring that God would "cut off from Jeroboam every male, both slave and free in Israel" (1 Kings 14:10). This prophecy was fulfilled when Baasha of the house of Issachar conspired against Nadab, Jeroboam's son, and destroyed his entire family (1 Kings 15:29).

Legacy of Sin

Jeroboam's reign set a precedent for idolatry and apostasy in the northern kingdom, often referred to as "the sins of Jeroboam" in subsequent biblical narratives (1 Kings 16:26). His temptation to secure his kingdom through disobedience to God had enduring effects, leading the northern tribes further away from the covenant relationship with Yahweh.

Jeroboam's life serves as a cautionary tale of how the temptation to prioritize political power and security over faithfulness to God can lead to spiritual and national ruin. His actions underscore the importance of obedience to God's commandments and the dangers of compromising one's faith for worldly gain.1 Kings 15:30
Because of the sins of Jeroboam which he sinned, and which he made Israel sin, by his provocation with which he provoked the LORD God of Israel to anger.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

The Record of Two Kings
... Jeroboam's symbolism led straight to Ahab's unblushing pagan worship of the hideous
Sidonian Baal ... It was Israel's temptation either to mix with them, or to keep ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the record of two kings.htm

The Kingdom Op Judah.
... and was permitted to gain a great victory over Jeroboam, but he died at the end
of three years, and was succeeded by his son Asa. The great temptation of the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson vii the kingdom op.htm

The Fall of Solomon
... assaults of temptation. We do not learn how the Lord said this to Solomon. Possibly
it was by the same prophet who afterwards announced to Jeroboam his destiny ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the fall of solomon.htm

The Assyrian Captivity
... with all that is uplifting and ennobling, and fell an easy prey to temptation. ... the
results that had followed the setting up of two calves of gold by Jeroboam. ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 23 the assyrian captivity.htm

Impure Zeal
... with all his heart: for he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam, which made ... Many
a great name in the annals of the Church has fallen before that temptation. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/impure zeal.htm

The Book of the Law
... the age of twenty, he had made an earnest effort to remove temptation from his ... the
days of the rending of the kingdom, centuries before, when Jeroboam the son ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 33 the book of.htm

Solomon's Repentance
... And Jeroboam, . . . ... When Solomon should have been in character as a sturdy oak,
he fell from his steadfastness under the power of temptation. ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 5 solomons repentance.htm

The Trial of Saul.
... Korah was swallowed up by the earth on account of it; Jeroboam had his hand ... Let us
not think it enough to have got through one temptation well; through our ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol viii/sermon iii the trial of.htm

Here Followeth the History of Tobit
... Also when all other went unto the golden calves that Jeroboam, King of Israel, had ...
This temptation suffered God to fall to him, that it should be an example to ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/here followeth the history of 2.htm

The King.
... those of the kingdom over which his descendants ruled after Jeroboam's revolt, thus ...
to the level of his times, and yields to a strong temptation, in making the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/the life of david/ix the king.htm

Why is idol worship such a powerful temptation? | GotQuestions.org

What was the meaning and purpose of Jesus' temptations? | GotQuestions.org

How does Satan tempt us? | GotQuestions.org

Temptation: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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