Jeroboam in the Bible

Meaning: he that opposes the people

Exact Match

Jeroboam also, son of Nebat, an Ephrathite from Zeredah, whose, mother's name, was Zeruah, a widow woman, he being servant to Solomon, lifted up a hand against the king.

Verse ConceptsActual Widows

Now, the man Jeroboam, being an able Solomon observed his servant, that he man, was, one to execute a work, so he gave him oversight of all the charge of the house of Joseph.

Verse ConceptsdiligenceDiligence, Results OfServants, GoodIndustry, Examples OfPromotionEntrustingForced Labour

And it came to pass, at that time, when, Jeroboam, went forth out of Jerusalem, that there met him Ahijah the Shilonite, the prophet, in the way, he having wrapped himself about with a new mantle; and, they two, were by themselves, in the field.

Verse ConceptsFine ClothesUnusedNamed Prophets Of The Lord

and said to Jeroboam, Take thee ten places, - for Thus, saith Yahweh, God of Israel - Behold me! about to rend the kingdom, out of the hand of Solomon, and I will give unto thee ten tribes:

Verse ConceptsLeaders, PoliticalProphesyingTen PeopleTen ThingsNorthern Kingdom Of Israel

When therefore Solomon sought to put, Jeroboam, to death, Jeroboam arose and fled into Egypt, unto Shishak king of Egypt, - and remained in Egypt, until the death of Solomon.

Verse ConceptsFugitivesAttempting To Kill Specific Peoplerehabilitation

And it came to pass, when Jeroboam son of Nebat heard of it - he being yet in Egypt, whither he had fled from the face of Solomon the king, that Jeroboam returned from Egypt;

yes they sent, and called him, and Jeroboam and all the convocation of Israel came, - and spake unto Rehoboam, saying:

Verse ConceptsOthers Summoning

So Jeroboam and all the people came in unto Rehoboam, on the third day, - as the king had bidden, saying - Come again unto me, on the third day.

Verse ConceptsThe Third Day Of The Week

Thus the king hearkened not unto the people, - for there had come about a turn from Yahweh, that he might establish his word, which Yahweh had spoken by Ahijah the Shilonite, unto Jeroboam, son of Nebat.

Verse ConceptsHistoryProphecy, Fulfilment Of OtWord Of GodPredestination, Of EventsNamed Prophets Of The Lord

And it came to pass, when all Israel heard that Jeroboam had returned, that they sent and called him into the assembly, and made him king over all Israel, - there were none that followed the house of David, saving the tribe of Judah only.

Verse ConceptsLoyaltyCoronationsMaking KingsList Of Kings Of Israelalignment

Then Jeroboam built Shechem, in the hill country of Ephraim, and dwelt therein, - and went forth from thence, and built Penuel.

Verse ConceptsFortresses

And Jeroboam said in his heart, - Now, shall the kingdom return to the house of David:

And Jeroboam also made houses on high places, and he made priests from all people who were not of the sons (descendants) of Levi.

Verse ConceptsHigh PlacesPriests, Institution In Ot Times

And Jeroboam made a festival in the eight month, on the fifteenth day of the month, like the festival which was held in Judah, and offered up on the altar, likewise, did he in Bethel, sacrificing to the calves which he had made, - and he kept in attendance in Bethel, the priests of the high-places which he had made.

Verse ConceptsNew Year, TheMonth 8the anniversary Feasts

On the fifteenth day of the eighth month (a date he had arbitrarily chosen) Jeroboam offered sacrifices on the altar he had made in Bethel. He inaugurated a festival for the Israelites and went up to the altar to offer sacrifices.

Verse ConceptsNew Year, TheMonth 8Building AltarsIncense Offered Amiss

And lo! a man of God, came in out of Judah, by the word of Yahweh, unto Bethel, - as Jeroboam was standing by the altar, to make a perfume.

Verse ConceptsIncense Offered Amiss

And it came to pass, when the king heard the word of the man of God which he proclaimed against the altar in Bethel, Jeroboam thrust forth his hand, from off the altar, saying - Lay hold of him! and his hand which he had thrust forth against him was dried up, that he could not draw it back to him.

Verse ConceptsdisabilitiesLimbs WitheredDiseased Hands

After this thing, Jeroboam turned not from his wicked way, - but again made, from the whole compass of the people, priests of high places, whomsoever he would, he installed, and he became priest of high places.

Verse ConceptsPriests, Institution In Ot TimesSuperstitionConsecration

And so this thing became the sin of the house of Jeroboam, - that it should be both taken away and destroyed, from off the face of the ground.

Then said Jeroboam to his wife - Arise, I pray thee, and feign thyself another, that it be not known, that, thou, art the wife of Jeroboam, - and thou shalt go thy way to Shiloh, lo! there, is Ahijah the prophet, who promised I should be king over this people;

Verse ConceptsdisguisesChanging Yourself

And the wife of Jeroboam, did so, and arose, and went to Shiloh, and entered the house of Ahijah, - now, Ahijah, could not see, for his eyes were fixed, by reason of his old age.

Verse ConceptsVisionLimitations Of Old People

But, Yahweh, had said unto Ahijah - Lo! the wife of Jeroboam, coming to enquire something of thee, concerning her son, for he is sick, thus and so, shalt thou speak unto her, - though, when she cometh in, she feign to be a stranger-woman.

Verse ConceptsPretendingTelling Of Movements

So it came to pass, when Ahijah heard the sound of her feet, as she entered the doorway, that he said - Come in, thou wife of Jeroboam, - wherefore, is it that thou art feigning to be a stranger-woman, seeing that, I, am sent unto thee, with something hard to bear?

Verse ConceptsSoundHearing ThingsPretendingFeet In Action

Go, say to Jeroboam - Thus, saith Yahweh, God of Israel, Forasmuch as I exalted thee out of the midst of the people, - and gave thee to be leader over my people Israel;

Verse ConceptsHumilityPromotionGod Lifting People

therefore, behold me! bringing misfortune against the house of Jeroboam, and I will cut off the meanest pertaining to Jeroboam, whether shut up or left at large, in Israel, - and will consume after the house of Jeroboam, as one consumeth dung, till it be all gone:

Verse Conceptsdung and manureDefecationUrinatingDeath Of All MalesGod Will Kill His People

Him that dieth of Jeroboam in the city, shall, the dogs, eat, and, him that dieth in the field, shall, the birds of heaven, eat, - For, Yahweh, hath spoken.

Verse ConceptsdogsAnimals Eating PeopleEating CorpsesBirds Eating

Now as for you (Jeroboam’s wife), arise, go to your own house. When your feet enter the city, the child [Abijah] will die.

Verse ConceptsProphesyingEntering CitiesNearness Of DeathDeath Will Soon HappenDeath Of A Child

Then shall all Israel lament for him, and bury him, for, this one, pertaining to Jeroboam, shall reach a burying-place, - because there hath been found in him something good toward Yahweh, God of Israel, in the house of Jeroboam.

Verse ConceptsNo BurialsOnly One PersonMourning The Death Of Others

Therefore will Yahweh raise up for himself a king over Israel, who will cut off the house of Jeroboam, this day, but why, even now?

That he may deliver up Israel, - on account of the sin of Jeroboam, which he committed, and which he caused, Israel, to commit.

Then arose the wife of Jeroboam, and went her way and entered Tirzah, - as, she, was coming into the entrance hall, the young man died.

Verse ConceptsEntering HousesOther Wives

Now, the rest of the story of Jeroboam, how he warred, and how he reigned, behold them! written in the book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel.

Verse ConceptsHistorical Books

And, the days which Jeroboam reigned, were twenty-two years, - and he slept with his fathers, and, Nadab his son, reigned, in his stead.

Verse ConceptsSleep, And Death20 To 30 YearsKings Of The Northern KingdomList Of Kings Of Israel

Now in the fifth year of King Rehoboam, Shishak king of Egypt [Jeroboam’s brother-in-law] came up against Jerusalem.

Verse Conceptsenemies, of Israel and JudahActual Attacks On Jerusalem

Now, in the eighteenth year of King Jeroboam son of Nebat, began Abijah to reign over Judah.

And there was, war, between Rehoboam and Jeroboam, all the days of his life.

Verse ConceptsCivil War

Now, the rest of the story of Abijah and all that he did, are, they, not written in the book of Chronicles of the Kings of Judah? And there was, war, between Abijah and Jeroboam.

Verse ConceptsCivil WarHistorical Books

Now, in the twentieth year of Jeroboam king of Israel, began Asa to reign as king of Judah;

Verse ConceptsGrandmothers

Now, Nadab son of Jeroboam, began to reign over Israel, in the second year of Asa king of Judah, - and he reigned over Israel, two years.

Verse ConceptsTwo YearsList Of Kings Of Israel

And it came to pass, when he became king, that he smote all the house of Jeroboam, he left not remaining any breathing thing pertaining to Jeroboam, until he had destroyed him, - according to the word of Yahweh, which he spake by the hand of his servant Ahijah the Shilonite:

Verse ConceptsProphecy, Fulfilment Of OtWord Of GodKilling Whole FamiliesNamed Prophets Of The LordWords To Individuals Fulfilled

for the sins of Jeroboam which he committed, and which he caused, Israel, to commit, - by his provocation wherewith he provoked to anger Yahweh God of Israel.

Verse ConceptsProvoking God

And he did that which was wicked in the eyes of Yahweh, - and walked in the way of Jeroboam, and in his sin wherewith he caused, Israel, to sin.

Verse ConceptsImitating Wicked Kings

son of Hanani, against Baasha, saying: Forasmuch as I exalted thee out of the dust, and gave thee to be leader over my people Israel, - and yet thou hast walked in the way of Jeroboam, and caused, my people Israel, to sin, provoking me to anger with their sins,

Verse ConceptsImitating Wicked KingsGod Lifting People

Behold me! consuming after Baasha, and after his house, - and I will deliver up thy house, like the house of Jeroboam son of Nebat:

Moreover also, through Jehu son of Hanani the prophet, the word of Yahweh, came against Baasha and against his house, even because of all the wickedness that he had done in the eyes of Yahweh, provoking him to anger with the work of his hands, becoming like the house of Jeroboam, - notwithstanding that he smote him.

Verse ConceptsMessengerProphets, Role OfImitating Wicked KingsNamed Prophets Of The Lord

because of his sins which he committed by doing the thing that was wicked in the eyes of Yahweh, - by walking in the way of Jeroboam, and in his sin which he committed, by causing, Israel, to sin.

Verse ConceptsImitating Wicked Kings

yea he walked in all the way of Jeroboam son of Nebat, and in his sin wherewith he caused, Israel, to sin, - provoking to anger Yahweh, God of Israel, with their vanities.

Verse ConceptsImitating Wicked KingsGod Opposes Idolatry

And it come to pass, as though it had been too light a thing that he should walk in the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, that he took to wife Jezebel, daughter of Ethbaal, king of the Zidonians, and went and served Baal, and bowed down to him.

Verse ConceptsMarriage, Restrictions ConcerningPolygamyServanthood, And Worship Of GodImitating Wicked KingsUnimportant Thingsjezebel

and will deliver up thy house - Like the house of Jeroboam son of Nebat, and like the house of Baasha son of Ahijah, - for the provocation wherewith thou hast provoked, and caused, Israel, to sin.

Verse ConceptsGod, Suffering OfReprobatesLike Bad People

And he did the thing that was wicked in the eyes of Yahweh, - and went in the way of his father, and in the way of his mother, and in the way of Jeroboam son of Nebat, who caused, Israel, to sin.

Verse ConceptsChildren, needs ofChildren, Bad Parental ExamplesMothers, Examples OfMothers, Responsibilities OfImitating Wicked Kingsjezebel

nevertheless, unto the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat which he caused Israel to commit, he did cleave, - he turned not away therefrom

And I will make the house of Ahab as the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and as the house of Baasha the son of Ahijah.

Only, the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin, from them Jehu departed not: from the golden calves that were in Bethel, and that were in Dan.

Verse ConceptsGolden Calves

But Jehu took no heed to walk in the law of Jehovah the God of Israel with all his heart; he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam, who made Israel to sin.

Verse ConceptsHalf Heartedness

And he did the thing that was wicked in the eyes of Yahweh, - and went after the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat which he caused, Israel, to commit, he departed not therefrom.

Howbeit they departed not from the sins of the house of Jeroboam which he caused, Israel, to commit, therein, they walked, - moreover also, the Sacred Stem, still stood in Samaria.

Verse ConceptsServing Asherah

And he did that which was wicked in the eyes of Yahweh, - he turned not away from all the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, which he caused, Israel, to commit, therein, he walked.

Verse ConceptsConversion, nature ofImitating Wicked Kings

So then Joash slept with his fathers, and, Jeroboam, took his seat on his throne, - and Joash was buried in Samaria, with the kings of Israel.

Verse ConceptsList Of Kings Of Israel

And Jehoash slept with his fathers, and was buried in Samaria, with the kings of Israel, - and, Jeroboam his son, reigned, in his stead.

Verse ConceptsSleep, And DeathKings Of The Northern KingdomList Of Kings Of Israel

In the fifteenth year of Amaziah, son of Joash, king of Judah, began Jeroboam, son of Joash, king of a Israel, to reign in Samaria, and he reigned forty-one years.

Verse Concepts40 To 50 YearsList Of Kings Of IsraelKings of judah

And he did the thing that was wicked in the eyes of Yahweh, - he turned not away from any of the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, which he caused, Israel, to commit.

Verse ConceptsConversion, nature of

Jeroboam restored Israel’s border from the entrance of Hamath to the Sea of the Arabah (Dead Sea), in accordance with the word of the Lord, the God of Israel, which He spoke through His servant Jonah the son of Amittai, the prophet who was from Gath-hepher.

Verse ConceptsSeaWord Of GodNamed Prophets Of The LordWords To Individuals Fulfilled

Neither had Yahweh spoken, to wipe out the name of Israel from under the heavens, - so he saved them, by the hand of Jeroboam son of Joash.

Verse ConceptsNames Blotted OutIndividuals Saving Others

Now, the rest of the story of Jeroboam, and all that he did, and his might when he warred, and how he restored Damascus and Hamath to Judah in Israel, are, they, not written in the book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel?

Verse ConceptsHistorical Booksaccomplishmentsaccomplishment

And Jeroboam slept with his fathers, with the kings of Israel, - and, Zechariah his son, reigned, in his stead.

Verse ConceptsKings Of The Northern KingdomList Of Kings Of Israel

In the twenty-seventh year of Jeroboam king of Israel, began Azariah son of Amaziah king of Judah to reign.

Verse ConceptsList Of Kings Of IsraelKings of judah

In the thirty-eighth year of Azariah king of Judah, began Zechariah son of Jeroboam to reign over Israel, in Samaria, and he reigned six months.

Verse ConceptsFive Months And MoreList Of Kings Of Israel

And he did the thing that was wicked in the eyes of Yahweh, as did his fathers, - he turned not away from the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, which he caused, Israel, to commit.

Verse ConceptsConversion, nature of

And he did the thing that was wicked in the eyes of Yahweh, - he turned not away from the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, which he caused, Israel, to commit, all his days.

And he did the thing that was wicked in the eyes of Yahweh, - he turned not away from the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, which he caused, Israel, to commit.

And he did evil in the sight of Jehovah: he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin.

For Israel had rent the kingdom from the house of David; and they had made Jeroboam the son of Nebat king; and Jeroboam violently turned Israel from following Jehovah, and made them sin a great sin.

Verse ConceptsList Of Kings Of Israellegacy

And the children of Israel walked in all the sins of Jeroboam which he did; they did not depart from them:

Verse ConceptsImitating Wicked Kings

Moreover the altar that was at Bethel, the high place that Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who caused Israel to sin, had made, both that altar and the high place he broke down; and burned the high place, stamped it small to powder, and burned the Asherah.

Verse ConceptsGrindingAltars, Pagan

When Josiah turned around, he saw the tombs there on the hill. So he ordered the bones from the tombs to be brought; he burned them on the altar and defiled it. This fulfilled the Lord's announcement made by the prophet while Jeroboam stood by the altar during a festival. King Josiah turned and saw the grave of the prophet who had foretold this.

Verse ConceptsTombsWord Of GodBonesBurning Idolatrous Things

All these were registered by genealogy in the days of Jotham king of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam king of Israel.

And the rest of the acts of Solomon first and last, are they not written in the words of Nathan the prophet, and in the prophecy of Ahijah the Shilonite, and in the visions of Iddo the seer concerning Jeroboam the son of Nebat?

Verse ConceptsCommemorationSeersVisionsProphetic Visions

And it came to pass when Jeroboam the son of Nebat heard it (now he was in Egypt, whither he had fled from the presence of king Solomon) that Jeroboam returned out of Egypt.

And they sent and called him; and Jeroboam and all Israel came and spoke to Rehoboam saying,

And Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam the third day, as the king had appointed saying, Come again to me on the third day.

So the king hearkened not to the people; for it was brought about by God, that Jehovah might give effect to his word, which he spoke through Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam the son of Nebat.

Verse ConceptsHistory

Thus saith Jehovah: Go not up, nor fight with your brethren; return every man to his house; for this thing is from me. And they hearkened to the words of Jehovah, and returned from going against Jeroboam.

for the Levites left their suburbs and their possessions, and came to Judah and Jerusalem: for Jeroboam and his sons had cast them off from exercising the priesthood to Jehovah;

Verse ConceptsRemnant

Jeroboam appointed his own priests to serve at the worship centers and to lead in the worship of the goat idols and calf idols he had made.

Verse ConceptsCalvesShrinesGolden CalvesThirty

And the acts of Rehoboam, first and last, are they not written in the words of Shemaiah the prophet, and of Iddo the seer, in the genealogical registers? And there were wars between Rehoboam and Jeroboam continually.

Verse ConceptsGenealogiesSeers

In the eighteenth year of King Jeroboam, began Abijah to reign over Judah:

three years, reigned he in Jerusalem, and, the name of his mother, was Maacah, daughter of Uriel of Gibeah, - and there was, war, between Abijah and Jeroboam.

Verse ConceptsThree Years

And Abijah began the war with a force of heroes of war, four hundred thousand chosen men, - and, Jeroboam, set in array against him to battle, with eight hundred thousand chosen men, heroes of valour.

Verse ConceptsConfrontationThree To Nine Hundred Thousand

And Abijah stood up upon Mount Zemaraim, which is in the hill country of Ephraim, - and said, Hear me, O Jeroboam and all Israel!

"Listen to me, Jeroboam and Israel! Don't you know that the LORD God of Israel assigned the kingship over Israel to David and his descendants forever by a salt covenant?

Verse ConceptsCovenant, God's with Israel's priestsCovenant, God's with DavidGod’s Covenant With The LevitesGod's Covenant Is Everlastingcovenant

Yet hath Jeroboam son of Nebat, servant of Solomon son of David, risen up, - and rebelled against his lord.

Verse ConceptsRebellion, Against Human Authority

Now, therefore, ye, are thinking to strengthen yourselves against the kingdom of Yahweh, in the hand of the sons of David, - and, ye, are a great multitude, and, with you, are calves of gold, which Jeroboam hath made you for gods.

Verse ConceptsCalf worshipGolden Calves

But, Jeroboam, sent round an ambush, to come up from behind them, - so they were before Judah and, the ambush, did come up from behind them.

Then the men of Judah gave a shout, - and it came to pass, when the men of Judah shouted, then, God himself, smote Jeroboam and all Israel, before Abijah and Judah.

Verse ConceptsShoutingVoicesShouting For Joy

And Abijah pursued after Jeroboam, and captured from him, cities, even Bethel, with the villages thereof, and Jeshanah, with the villages thereof, - and Ephron, with the villages thereof;

neither was Jeroboam strong any more, in the days of Abijah, - and Yahweh smote him that he died.

Verse ConceptsDeath, Means Of

The word of Yahweh which came unto Hosea son of Beeri, in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, Hezekiah, kings of Judah, - and in the days of Jeroboam son of Joash, king of Israel.

Verse ConceptsTimes Of PeopleKings of judah

Words of Amos -- who hath been among herdsmen of Tekoa -- that he hath seen concerning Israel, in the days of Uzziah king of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam son of Joash king of Israel, two years before the shaking;

Verse ConceptsearthquakesOccupationsProphets, Lives OfShepherds, As OccupationsProphetic VisionsTwo YearsThose Who Kept StockAgriculture

Thematic Bible



Jeroboam never regained power during Abijah's time. Jehovah caused Jeroboam to become sick, and Jeroboam died.


For this reason Solomon tried to kill Jeroboam. Jeroboam escaped to King Shishak of Egypt and stayed there until Solomon's death.


Jeroboam built worship sites on hilltops. He appointed men who were not descended from Levi to be priests.


After asking for advice, the king made two golden calves. He said: You have been worshiping in Jerusalem long enough. Israel, here are your gods who brought you out of Egypt.


Jeroboam was a capable and responsible man. Solomon saw that he was a good worker and made him overseer of all the work given to the sons of Joseph.


Jeroboam was a capable and responsible man. Solomon saw that he was a good worker and made him overseer of all the work given to the sons of Joseph.


It was as if he copied the evil ways of Jeroboam, the son of Nebat. He took as his wife Jezebel, daughter of Ethbaal, king of Zidon, and became a servant and worshipper of Baal.

King Jeroboam of Israel fortified the town of Shechem in the hill country of Ephraim and lived there for a while. Then he left and fortified the town of Penuel. He thought to himself: The way things are my people will go to Jerusalem and offer sacrifices to Jehovah at the Temple there. They will transfer their allegiance to King Rehoboam of Judah and will kill me. read more.
After asking for advice, the king made two golden calves. He said: You have been worshiping in Jerusalem long enough. Israel, here are your gods who brought you out of Egypt. He placed one in Bethel and the other in Dan. This became Israel's sin, worshiping the golden calves. The people went as far as Dan to worship the one calf. Jeroboam built worship sites on hilltops. He appointed men who were not descended from Levi to be priests. Jeroboam appointed a festival on the fifteenth day of the eighth month, just like the festival in Judah. He went to the altar in Bethel to sacrifice to the calves he had made. He appointed priests from the illegal worship sites to serve in Bethel. He went to his altar in Bethel to burn an offering on the fifteenth day of the eighth month, the festival he invented for the Israelites.

He lived exactly like Jeroboam, Nebat's son. He sinned and led Israel to sin with worthless idols. The Israelites made Jehovah the God of Israel furious.

You have committed far greater sins than those who ruled before you. You have rejected me and have aroused my anger by making idols and metal images to worship.

Jehovah will abandon Israel because Jeroboam sinned and led the people of Israel into sin.

King Jeroboam of Israel still did not turn from his evil ways. He continued to choose priests from ordinary families to serve at the altars he had built. He ordained as priest anyone who wanted to be one. This was the sin of the house of Jeroboam. It brought about its ruin and total destruction from the face of the earth.

I lifted you out of the dust and made you ruler over my people Israel. You have gone the way of Jeroboam. You made my people Israel do evil, moving me to wrath by their sins.

The priests abandoned their land and property and went to Judah and Jerusalem because Jeroboam and his descendants rejected them as Jehovah's priests.

Now you plan to fight against the royal authority Jehovah gave to David's descendants. You have a huge army! You have with you the golden calves that Jeroboam made to be your gods. You drove out Jehovah's priests! You evicted the descendants of Aaron and the Levites. In their place you appointed priests in the same way that other nations do. Anybody who comes along with a bull or seven sheep can get himself consecrated as a priest of those so-called gods of yours.


The words of Amos concerning Israel. He was among the herdsmen of Tekoa in the days of Uzziah king of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash king of Israel. It was two years before the earthquake.

Then Amaziah the priest of Bethel sent to Jeroboam king of Israel, saying: Amos has conspired against you in the midst of the house of Israel. The land is not able to bear all his words.

Jeroboam son of Joash king of Israel became king in Samaria. He ruled for forty-one years. This was in the fifteenth year of the rule of Amaziah son of Joash the king of Judah.

Jehovah had not said that the name of Israel was to be taken away from the earth. So he gave them a savior in Jeroboam, the son of Joash.


There was war between Rehoboam and Jeroboam all their days.

Everything else that King Jeroboam did, the wars he fought and how he ruled, are all recorded in The History of the Kings of Israel.

Abijam continued the war that Rehoboam and Jeroboam started. There was war throughout Abijam's lifetime.

Rehoboam came to Jerusalem and gathered the people of Judah and Benjamin. There were one hundred and eighty thousand of the best soldiers, to fight against Israel and return the kingdom to Rehoboam. God spoke his word to Shemaiah, the man of God. He said: Speak to Judah's King Rehoboam, son of Solomon, and all Israel in Judah and Benjamin. read more.
Jehovah says: Do not wage war against your relatives. Everyone, go home. What has happened is my doing. So they obeyed the word of Jehovah. They turned back from their attack on Jeroboam.


Rehoboam went to Shechem. All the people of northern Israel gathered to make him king. Jeroboam son of Nebat went to Egypt to escape from King Solomon. When he heard this news he returned from Egypt. The people of the northern tribes sent for him. Then they all went together to Rehoboam and said to him: read more.
Your father Solomon treated us harshly and placed heavy burdens on us. If you make these burdens lighter and make life easier for us, we will be your loyal subjects. Come back in three days and I will give you my answer, he replied. So they left. Then King Rehoboam consulted elders who had been with Solomon his father when he was living. He said: In your opinion, what answer am I to give to these people? They said to him: If you will be a servant to this people today, caring for them and giving them a favorable answer, then they will be your servants for ever. But he paid no attention to the opinion of the elders. He went to the young men who were his advisors: What is your opinion? He asked: What answer are we to give to this people? They want me to lighten the burdens placed on them by my father. His young advisors said: This is the answer to give to the people who came to you saying: 'Your father put a hard yoke on us; will you make it less?' Say to them: 'My little finger is thicker than my father's body.' If my father put a hard yoke on you, I will make it harder! My father gave you punishment with whips, but I will give you blows with snakes.' So all the people came to Rehoboam on the third day just as the king ordered. The king gave them a harsh answer. He paid no attention to the suggestion of the elders. He gave them the answer suggested by the young advisors. He said: My father made your yoke hard, but I will make it harder! My father gave you punishment with whips, but I will give it with snakes. The king did not listen to the people. This came about by Jehovah's purpose, so that what he had said by Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam, son of Nebat, might be fulfilled. When all Israel realized that the king would not respond to their request, the people in answer said to the king: What share do we have in David? What is our heritage in the son of Jesse? To your tents, O Israel; now see to your people, David. So Israel went away to their tents. Rehoboam was still king over those of the children of Israel who were living in the towns of Judah. Then King Rehoboam sent Adoniram, the overseer of the forced work. He was stoned to death by all Israel. King Rehoboam went quickly and got into his carriage to escape to Jerusalem. Israel has been in rebellion against the house of David to this day. When all Israel heard that Jeroboam had come back, they requested a meeting of the people. At that meeting they made him king over Israel. There was none who followed the house of David except the tribe of Judah.

So Jeroboam and all the people came back to Rehoboam two days later, as the king had instructed them. The king answered them harshly. He ignored the elder's advice. He spoke to them as the young men advised. He said: If my father made your burden heavy, I will add to it. If my father punished you with whips, I will use scorpions. read more.
The king refused to listen to the people because Jehovah was directing these events to carry out the promise he had made to Jeroboam, Nebat's son through Ahijah from Shiloh. When all Israel saw that the king refused to listen to them, the people answered the king: What share do we have in David's kingdom? We will not receive an inheritance from Jesse's son. Everyone to his own tent, Israel! Now look after your own house, David! So all Israel went home to their tents. Rehoboam ruled the Israelites who lived in the cities of Judah. King Rehoboam sent Hadoram to the Israelites. He was in charge of forced labor, but they stoned him to death. So King Rehoboam got on his chariot as fast as he could and fled to Jerusalem. Israel has rebelled against David's dynasty to this day.


When Jeroboam was going out of Jerusalem, the prophet Ahijah the Shilonite came across him on the road. Ahijah was wearing a new robe. They were by themselves in the open country. Ahijah took his new robe in his hands and tore it into twelve pieces. He said to Jeroboam: Take ten of the parts, for this is what Jehovah said: 'I will take the kingdom away from Solomon by force. I will give ten tribes to you. read more.
But one tribe will be his because of my servant David, and because of Jerusalem. Out of the tribes of Israel he will have the town I have made mine. I am going to do this because Solomon has rejected me and has worshiped foreign gods. Astarte, the goddess of Sidon; Chemosh, the god of Moab; and Molech, the god of Ammon. Solomon disobeyed me. He has done wrong! He has not obeyed my laws and commands as his father David did. I will not take the entire kingdom away from Solomon. I will keep him in power as long as he lives. This I will do for the sake of my servant David, whom I chose and who obeyed my laws and commands. I will take the kingdom away from Solomon's son and will give you ten tribes. I will let Solomon's son keep one tribe. That way I will always have a descendant of my servant David ruling in Jerusalem, the city I have chosen as the place where I am worshiped. Jeroboam, I will make you king of Israel. You will rule over all the territory that you want. If you obey me completely I will always be with you. You must live by my laws, and win my approval by doing what I command, as my servant David did. I will make you king of Israel and will make sure that your descendants rule after you, just as I have done for David. Because of Solomon's sin I will punish the descendants of David, but not forever.'

Jehovah told him: Jeroboam's wife is coming to ask you about her son, for he is sick. Jehovah told Ahijah what to say. Jeroboam's wife pretended to be someone else when she arrived there. Ahijah heard her coming in the door and said: Come in. I know you are Jeroboam's wife. Why do you pretend to be someone else? I have bad news for you. Go and tell Jeroboam that this is what Jehovah, the God of Israel, says to him: I chose you from among the people and made you the ruler of my people Israel. read more.
I took the kingdom away from David's descendants and gave it to you. You have not been like my servant David. He was completely loyal to me. He obeyed my commands, and did only what I approve of. You have committed far greater sins than those who ruled before you. You have rejected me and have aroused my anger by making idols and metal images to worship. I will bring disaster on the house of Jeroboam. I will kill all your male descendants, young and old alike. I will get rid of your family. They will be swept away like dung. Dogs will eat members of your family who die in the city. Vultures will eat any who die in the open country. I, Jehovah, have spoken! Ahijah went on to say to Jeroboam's wife: Go back home. As soon as you enter the town, your son will die. All the people of Israel will mourn for him and bury him. He will be the only member of Jeroboam's family who will be properly buried for he is the only one with whom Jehovah, the God of Israel, is pleased. Jehovah will place a king over Israel who will put an end to Jeroboam's house. Jehovah will punish Israel, and she will shake like a reed shaking in a stream. He will uproot the people of Israel from this good land that he gave to their ancestors. He will scatter them beyond the Euphrates River, because they have aroused his anger by making idols of the goddess Asherah. Jehovah will abandon Israel because Jeroboam sinned and led the people of Israel into sin.


Jeroboam never regained power during Abijah's time. Jehovah caused Jeroboam to become sick, and Jeroboam died.

Jeroboam ruled as king for twenty-two years. He died and was buried. His son Nadab succeeded him as king.


Everything else that Abijah did is recorded in The History of the Kings of Judah.


Jeroboam rebelled against the king. He was the son of Nebat, an Ephraimite from Zeredah, a servant of Solomon, whose mother was Zeruah, a widow. This is how he rebelled: Solomon was building the Millo (supporting terraces) and making good the damaged parts of the town of his father David. Jeroboam was a capable and responsible man. Solomon saw that he was a good worker and made him overseer of all the work given to the sons of Joseph. read more.
When Jeroboam was going out of Jerusalem, the prophet Ahijah the Shilonite came across him on the road. Ahijah was wearing a new robe. They were by themselves in the open country. Ahijah took his new robe in his hands and tore it into twelve pieces. He said to Jeroboam: Take ten of the parts, for this is what Jehovah said: 'I will take the kingdom away from Solomon by force. I will give ten tribes to you. But one tribe will be his because of my servant David, and because of Jerusalem. Out of the tribes of Israel he will have the town I have made mine. I am going to do this because Solomon has rejected me and has worshiped foreign gods. Astarte, the goddess of Sidon; Chemosh, the god of Moab; and Molech, the god of Ammon. Solomon disobeyed me. He has done wrong! He has not obeyed my laws and commands as his father David did. I will not take the entire kingdom away from Solomon. I will keep him in power as long as he lives. This I will do for the sake of my servant David, whom I chose and who obeyed my laws and commands. I will take the kingdom away from Solomon's son and will give you ten tribes. I will let Solomon's son keep one tribe. That way I will always have a descendant of my servant David ruling in Jerusalem, the city I have chosen as the place where I am worshiped. Jeroboam, I will make you king of Israel. You will rule over all the territory that you want. If you obey me completely I will always be with you. You must live by my laws, and win my approval by doing what I command, as my servant David did. I will make you king of Israel and will make sure that your descendants rule after you, just as I have done for David. Because of Solomon's sin I will punish the descendants of David, but not forever.' For this reason Solomon tried to kill Jeroboam. Jeroboam escaped to King Shishak of Egypt and stayed there until Solomon's death.


He got back the old limits of Israel from the way into Hamath to the sea of the Arabah. This was what Jehovah said by his servant Jonah, the son of Amittai, the prophet of Gathhepher. Jehovah saw the bitter affliction of Israel. There was no one left, bond or free. There was no help for Israel. Jehovah had not said that the name of Israel was to be taken away from the earth. So he gave them a savior in Jeroboam, the son of Joash. read more.
Now the rest of the acts of Jeroboam, and all he did, and his power, and how he went to war with Damascus, causing the wrath of Jehovah to be turned away from Israel, are recorded in the book of the History of the Kings of Israel.


Jeroboam son of Joash king of Israel became king in Samaria. He ruled for forty-one years. This was in the fifteenth year of the rule of Amaziah son of Joash the king of Judah.

Jehoash went to rest with his fathers. They buried him in Samaria with the kings of Israel. Jeroboam his son became king in his place.


King Jeroboam's son Abijah became sick. Jeroboam said to his wife: Disguise yourself so that no one will recognize you, and go to Shiloh. That is where the prophet Ahijah lives. He is the one who said I would be king of Israel. Take him ten loaves of bread, some cakes, and a jar of honey. Ask him what is going to happen to our son. He will tell you. read more.
She went to Ahijah's home in Shiloh. Old age had made Ahijah blind. Jehovah told him: Jeroboam's wife is coming to ask you about her son, for he is sick. Jehovah told Ahijah what to say. Jeroboam's wife pretended to be someone else when she arrived there. Ahijah heard her coming in the door and said: Come in. I know you are Jeroboam's wife. Why do you pretend to be someone else? I have bad news for you. Go and tell Jeroboam that this is what Jehovah, the God of Israel, says to him: I chose you from among the people and made you the ruler of my people Israel. I took the kingdom away from David's descendants and gave it to you. You have not been like my servant David. He was completely loyal to me. He obeyed my commands, and did only what I approve of. You have committed far greater sins than those who ruled before you. You have rejected me and have aroused my anger by making idols and metal images to worship. I will bring disaster on the house of Jeroboam. I will kill all your male descendants, young and old alike. I will get rid of your family. They will be swept away like dung. Dogs will eat members of your family who die in the city. Vultures will eat any who die in the open country. I, Jehovah, have spoken! Ahijah went on to say to Jeroboam's wife: Go back home. As soon as you enter the town, your son will die. All the people of Israel will mourn for him and bury him. He will be the only member of Jeroboam's family who will be properly buried for he is the only one with whom Jehovah, the God of Israel, is pleased. Jehovah will place a king over Israel who will put an end to Jeroboam's house. Jehovah will punish Israel, and she will shake like a reed shaking in a stream. He will uproot the people of Israel from this good land that he gave to their ancestors. He will scatter them beyond the Euphrates River, because they have aroused his anger by making idols of the goddess Asherah. Jehovah will abandon Israel because Jeroboam sinned and led the people of Israel into sin. Jeroboam's wife went back to Tirzah. Just as she entered her home, the child died. The people of Israel mourned for him and buried him. This is as Jehovah said through his servant, the prophet Ahijah.


A man of God from Judah went to Bethel. He arrived there while Jeroboam was at the altar ready to offer a sacrifice. He actually spoke against the altar: O altar, altar, this is what Jehovah says: 'A child, whose name will be Josiah, will be born to the family of David. He will slaughter the priests serving at the pagan altars who offer sacrifices on you. He will burn human bones on you.' The prophet went on to say: This altar will fall apart. The ashes on it will be scattered. Then you will know that Jehovah has spoken through me. read more.
King Jeroboam heard this. He pointed his outstretched hand at him and ordered: Seize that man! At once the king's arm became paralyzed so that he could not pull it back. The altar suddenly fell apart and the ashes spilled to the ground. This is what the prophet predicted in the name of Jehovah. King Jeroboam said to the prophet: Please pray to Jehovah your God for me, and ask him to heal my arm! The prophet prayed to Jehovah and the king's arm was healed. Then the king said to the prophet: Come home with me and have something to eat. I will reward you for what you have done. The prophet answered: Even if you gave me half of your wealth, I would not go with you or eat or drink anything with you. I was ordered by the word of Jehovah, he said: You are not to take food or a drink of water, and you are not to go back the way you came. So he went another way, and not by the way he came to Bethel.


Jeroboam was a capable and responsible man. Solomon saw that he was a good worker and made him overseer of all the work given to the sons of Joseph.


He showed me: and, behold, Jehovah stood beside a wall made by a plumb line, with a plumb line in his hand. And Jehovah asked me, Amos, what do you see? I said: A plumb line. Then Jehovah said: Behold, I will set a plumb line in the midst of my people Israel. I will not spare them any more. The high places of Isaac will be desolate, and the sanctuaries of Israel will be laid waste. I will rise against the house of Jeroboam with the sword. read more.
Then Amaziah the priest of Bethel sent to Jeroboam king of Israel, saying: Amos has conspired against you in the midst of the house of Israel. The land is not able to bear all his words. Amos said: Jeroboam will die by the sword. Israel will surely be led away captive (in exile) out of his land. Amaziah said to Amos: Go, run away, you seer. Go into the land of Judah. Eat bread and prophesy there. Do not prophesy any more at Bethel for it is the king's sanctuary, and it is a royal house.


He did evil in the eyes of Jehovah. He did not turn away from the sin which Jeroboam, the son of Nebat, did and made Israel do.


Jeroboam went to rest with his fathers. He was buried with the kings of Israel. Zechariah his son became king in his place.


All these were entered in the genealogical records during the reigns of Jotham king of Judah and Jeroboam king of Israel.


King Jeroboam heard this. He pointed his outstretched hand at him and ordered: Seize that man! At once the king's arm became paralyzed so that he could not pull it back.


Go and tell Jeroboam that this is what Jehovah, the God of Israel, says to him: I chose you from among the people and made you the ruler of my people Israel. I took the kingdom away from David's descendants and gave it to you. You have not been like my servant David. He was completely loyal to me. He obeyed my commands, and did only what I approve of. You have committed far greater sins than those who ruled before you. You have rejected me and have aroused my anger by making idols and metal images to worship. read more.
I will bring disaster on the house of Jeroboam. I will kill all your male descendants, young and old alike. I will get rid of your family. They will be swept away like dung. Dogs will eat members of your family who die in the city. Vultures will eat any who die in the open country. I, Jehovah, have spoken! Ahijah went on to say to Jeroboam's wife: Go back home. As soon as you enter the town, your son will die. All the people of Israel will mourn for him and bury him. He will be the only member of Jeroboam's family who will be properly buried for he is the only one with whom Jehovah, the God of Israel, is pleased. Jehovah will place a king over Israel who will put an end to Jeroboam's house. Jehovah will punish Israel, and she will shake like a reed shaking in a stream. He will uproot the people of Israel from this good land that he gave to their ancestors. He will scatter them beyond the Euphrates River, because they have aroused his anger by making idols of the goddess Asherah.


When all Israel heard that Jeroboam had come back, they requested a meeting of the people. At that meeting they made him king over Israel. There was none who followed the house of David except the tribe of Judah.

King Jeroboam of Israel fortified the town of Shechem in the hill country of Ephraim and lived there for a while. Then he left and fortified the town of Penuel. He thought to himself: The way things are my people will go to Jerusalem and offer sacrifices to Jehovah at the Temple there. They will transfer their allegiance to King Rehoboam of Judah and will kill me. read more.
After asking for advice, the king made two golden calves. He said: You have been worshiping in Jerusalem long enough. Israel, here are your gods who brought you out of Egypt. He placed one in Bethel and the other in Dan. This became Israel's sin, worshiping the golden calves. The people went as far as Dan to worship the one calf. Jeroboam built worship sites on hilltops. He appointed men who were not descended from Levi to be priests. Jeroboam appointed a festival on the fifteenth day of the eighth month, just like the festival in Judah. He went to the altar in Bethel to sacrifice to the calves he had made. He appointed priests from the illegal worship sites to serve in Bethel. He went to his altar in Bethel to burn an offering on the fifteenth day of the eighth month, the festival he invented for the Israelites. A man of God from Judah went to Bethel. He arrived there while Jeroboam was at the altar ready to offer a sacrifice. He actually spoke against the altar: O altar, altar, this is what Jehovah says: 'A child, whose name will be Josiah, will be born to the family of David. He will slaughter the priests serving at the pagan altars who offer sacrifices on you. He will burn human bones on you.' The prophet went on to say: This altar will fall apart. The ashes on it will be scattered. Then you will know that Jehovah has spoken through me. King Jeroboam heard this. He pointed his outstretched hand at him and ordered: Seize that man! At once the king's arm became paralyzed so that he could not pull it back. The altar suddenly fell apart and the ashes spilled to the ground. This is what the prophet predicted in the name of Jehovah. King Jeroboam said to the prophet: Please pray to Jehovah your God for me, and ask him to heal my arm! The prophet prayed to Jehovah and the king's arm was healed. Then the king said to the prophet: Come home with me and have something to eat. I will reward you for what you have done. The prophet answered: Even if you gave me half of your wealth, I would not go with you or eat or drink anything with you. I was ordered by the word of Jehovah, he said: You are not to take food or a drink of water, and you are not to go back the way you came. So he went another way, and not by the way he came to Bethel. There was an old prophet living in Bethel. His sons told him what the man of God had done that day in Bethel. They reported what he said to the king. Their father asked: Which way did he go? His sons saw which way the man of God went. So the prophet said to his sons: Saddle the donkey for me. So they saddled the donkey and he mounted it. He rode after the man of God. He found him sitting under an oak tree. Are you the man of God who came from Judah? He asked. I am. Came his reply. He said: Come back to the house with me and have a meal. But the man of God from Judah replied: I may not go back with you or go into your house. I will not take food or a drink of water with you in this place. Jehovah said to me: 'You are not to take food or water there, or go back again by the way you came.' Then he said: I am a prophet like you. An angel said to me by the word of Jehovah, Take him back with you and give him food and water. But he lied to him. So he went back with him, and had a meal in his house and a drink of water. But while they were seated at the table, the word of Jehovah came to the old prophet who had brought him back. Crying out to the man of God who came from Judah, he said: Jehovah says, 'because you have gone against the voice of Jehovah, and have not done as Jehovah ordered you, but have come back, and have taken food and water in this place where he said you were to take no food or water; your dead body will not be put to rest with your fathers.' After the meal he made the donkey ready for the prophet whom he had taken back. He went on his way. A lion met him on the road and jumped him and killed him. His dead body was stretched in the road with the donkey by its side. The lion was by the body. Some people who passed by saw the body stretched out in the road with the lion by its side. They brought the news to the town where the old prophet lived. The old prophet heard about it and said: That is the prophet who disobeyed Jehovah's command! Jehovah sent the lion to attack and kill him, just as Jehovah said he would. He said to his sons: Saddle my donkey for me. They did so. He rode away to find the prophet's body lying on the road. The donkey and the lion were still standing by it. The lion had not eaten the body or attacked the donkey. The old prophet picked up the body and brought it back to Bethel on the donkey. There he mourned over it and buried it. He buried it in his own family grave. He and his sons mourned over it, saying: Oh my brother, my brother! After the burial the prophet said to his sons: When I die, bury me in this grave and lay my body next to his. The words that he spoke at Jehovah's command against the altar in Bethel and against all the places of worship in the towns of Samaria will surely come true. King Jeroboam of Israel still did not turn from his evil ways. He continued to choose priests from ordinary families to serve at the altars he had built. He ordained as priest anyone who wanted to be one. This was the sin of the house of Jeroboam. It brought about its ruin and total destruction from the face of the earth. King Jeroboam's son Abijah became sick. Jeroboam said to his wife: Disguise yourself so that no one will recognize you, and go to Shiloh. That is where the prophet Ahijah lives. He is the one who said I would be king of Israel. Take him ten loaves of bread, some cakes, and a jar of honey. Ask him what is going to happen to our son. He will tell you. She went to Ahijah's home in Shiloh. Old age had made Ahijah blind. Jehovah told him: Jeroboam's wife is coming to ask you about her son, for he is sick. Jehovah told Ahijah what to say. Jeroboam's wife pretended to be someone else when she arrived there. Ahijah heard her coming in the door and said: Come in. I know you are Jeroboam's wife. Why do you pretend to be someone else? I have bad news for you. Go and tell Jeroboam that this is what Jehovah, the God of Israel, says to him: I chose you from among the people and made you the ruler of my people Israel. I took the kingdom away from David's descendants and gave it to you. You have not been like my servant David. He was completely loyal to me. He obeyed my commands, and did only what I approve of. You have committed far greater sins than those who ruled before you. You have rejected me and have aroused my anger by making idols and metal images to worship. I will bring disaster on the house of Jeroboam. I will kill all your male descendants, young and old alike. I will get rid of your family. They will be swept away like dung. Dogs will eat members of your family who die in the city. Vultures will eat any who die in the open country. I, Jehovah, have spoken! Ahijah went on to say to Jeroboam's wife: Go back home. As soon as you enter the town, your son will die. All the people of Israel will mourn for him and bury him. He will be the only member of Jeroboam's family who will be properly buried for he is the only one with whom Jehovah, the God of Israel, is pleased. Jehovah will place a king over Israel who will put an end to Jeroboam's house. Jehovah will punish Israel, and she will shake like a reed shaking in a stream. He will uproot the people of Israel from this good land that he gave to their ancestors. He will scatter them beyond the Euphrates River, because they have aroused his anger by making idols of the goddess Asherah. Jehovah will abandon Israel because Jeroboam sinned and led the people of Israel into sin. Jeroboam's wife went back to Tirzah. Just as she entered her home, the child died. The people of Israel mourned for him and buried him. This is as Jehovah said through his servant, the prophet Ahijah. Everything else that King Jeroboam did, the wars he fought and how he ruled, are all recorded in The History of the Kings of Israel. Jeroboam ruled as king for twenty-two years. He died and was buried. His son Nadab succeeded him as king.


He thought to himself: The way things are my people will go to Jerusalem and offer sacrifices to Jehovah at the Temple there. They will transfer their allegiance to King Rehoboam of Judah and will kill me. After asking for advice, the king made two golden calves. He said: You have been worshiping in Jerusalem long enough. Israel, here are your gods who brought you out of Egypt. read more.
He placed one in Bethel and the other in Dan. This became Israel's sin, worshiping the golden calves. The people went as far as Dan to worship the one calf.


King Jeroboam heard this. He pointed his outstretched hand at him and ordered: Seize that man! At once the king's arm became paralyzed so that he could not pull it back.


King Jeroboam heard this. He pointed his outstretched hand at him and ordered: Seize that man! At once the king's arm became paralyzed so that he could not pull it back.


After asking for advice, the king made two golden calves. He said: You have been worshiping in Jerusalem long enough. Israel, here are your gods who brought you out of Egypt. He placed one in Bethel and the other in Dan. This became Israel's sin, worshiping the golden calves. The people went as far as Dan to worship the one calf. read more.
Jeroboam built worship sites on hilltops. He appointed men who were not descended from Levi to be priests. Jeroboam appointed a festival on the fifteenth day of the eighth month, just like the festival in Judah. He went to the altar in Bethel to sacrifice to the calves he had made. He appointed priests from the illegal worship sites to serve in Bethel. He went to his altar in Bethel to burn an offering on the fifteenth day of the eighth month, the festival he invented for the Israelites.


He did evil in the eyes of Jehovah, as his father had done, not turning away from the sin which Jeroboam, the son of Nebat, did and made Israel do.

He did evil in the eyes of Jehovah. He did not keep himself from the sin of Jeroboam son of Nebat. He causes Israel to sin too.

He did evil in the eyes of Jehovah. He did not turn from the sin Jeroboam son of Nebat committed and caused Israel to commit.

He did evil in the eyes of Jehovah. He did not turn from the sin Jeroboam son of Nebat committed and caused Israel to commit.


Jeroboam rebelled against the king. He was the son of Nebat, an Ephraimite from Zeredah, a servant of Solomon, whose mother was Zeruah, a widow.


Jeroboam rebelled against the king. He was the son of Nebat, an Ephraimite from Zeredah, a servant of Solomon, whose mother was Zeruah, a widow.


He thought to himself: The way things are my people will go to Jerusalem and offer sacrifices to Jehovah at the Temple there. They will transfer their allegiance to King Rehoboam of Judah and will kill me. After asking for advice, the king made two golden calves. He said: You have been worshiping in Jerusalem long enough. Israel, here are your gods who brought you out of Egypt. read more.
He placed one in Bethel and the other in Dan. This became Israel's sin, worshiping the golden calves. The people went as far as Dan to worship the one calf. Jeroboam built worship sites on hilltops. He appointed men who were not descended from Levi to be priests. Jeroboam appointed a festival on the fifteenth day of the eighth month, just like the festival in Judah. He went to the altar in Bethel to sacrifice to the calves he had made. He appointed priests from the illegal worship sites to serve in Bethel. He went to his altar in Bethel to burn an offering on the fifteenth day of the eighth month, the festival he invented for the Israelites.


This happened because Jeroboam aroused the anger of Jehovah, the God of Israel, by the sins he committed and that he caused Israel to commit.


King Jeroboam of Israel still did not turn from his evil ways. He continued to choose priests from ordinary families to serve at the altars he had built. He ordained as priest anyone who wanted to be one. This was the sin of the house of Jeroboam. It brought about its ruin and total destruction from the face of the earth.


References

Hastings

Easton

American

Fausets