Jeroboam
Israelite / Jew Hebrew, tribe of Ephraim · Divided Kingdom · Old Testament
- Name means
- The people increase (commonly given)
- Role
- First king of the northern kingdom of Israel
- When
- c. 930-909 BC (traditional)
What they did
Told by the prophet Ahijah that he would rule ten tribes. As king he set up golden calves at Bethel and Dan so the people would not go up to Jerusalem.
Why it matters: the purpose of their role
His sin 'made Israel to sin' and became the pattern of the northern kings, a warning that worship must be as God commands.
Whereupon the king took counsel, and made two calves of gold, and said unto them, It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem: behold thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt. 1 Kings 12:28 (KJV)
Bible references
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. 1 Kings 11:26 (KJV)
And he said to Jeroboam, Take thee ten pieces: for thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel, Behold, I will rend the kingdom out of the hand of Solomon, and will give ten tribes to thee: 1 Kings 11:31 (KJV)
And it came to pass, when all Israel heard that Jeroboam was come again, that they sent and called him unto the congregation, and made him king over all Israel: there was none that followed the house of David, but the tribe of Judah only. 1 Kings 12:20 (KJV)
Whereupon the king took counsel, and made two calves of gold, and said unto them, It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem: behold thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt. 1 Kings 12:28 (KJV)
And he shall give Israel up because of the sins of Jeroboam, who did sin, and who made Israel to sin. 1 Kings 14:16 (KJV)
Family
- Father
- Nebat
- Mother
- Zeruah, a widow
- Children
- Abijah, Nadab