In brief
Jeroboam, son of Nebat, is an officer of Solomon whom the prophet Ahijah names as the future king of ten tribes. After the division of the kingdom, he becomes the first king of northern Israel. Fearing to lose his people, he has two golden calves made at Bethel and Dan. God rebukes him through a man of God, then through the prophet Ahijah, and announces the fall of his house.
What does the name Jeroboam mean?
His name is generally linked to the idea of a people who multiply or who contend. The Bible gives no direct explanation of this name. He is called son of Nebat, an Ephraimite of Zeredah (1 Kings 11:26).
The story of Jeroboam
Chosen to rule over ten tribes
1 Kings 11:26-40Jeroboam, an Ephraimite of Zeredah, is an officer of Solomon who oversees the forced labor of the house of Joseph. The prophet Ahijah of Shiloh tears his cloak into twelve pieces and gives him ten, announcing that God is giving him ten tribes. Solomon then seeks to kill him, and Jeroboam flees to Egypt.
King of the north after the division
1 Kings 12:1-20At the death of Solomon, Jeroboam returns from Egypt. When Rehoboam answers the people harshly, ten tribes break away from the house of David. Israel, gathered at Shechem, calls Jeroboam and makes him king over all Israel. Only the tribe of Judah remains faithful to the house of David.
The golden calves of Bethel and Dan
1 Kings 12:25-33Jeroboam fears that the people will return to Rehoboam if they go up to Jerusalem to offer sacrifices. He makes two golden calves and places them at Bethel and Dan, telling the people that these are their gods. He sets up high places, priests from outside the tribe of Levi, and a festival of his own invention.
The man of God and the altar
1 Kings 13:1-10While Jeroboam is offering a sacrifice at the altar of Bethel, a man of God from Judah cries out against the altar. Jeroboam stretches out his hand and orders his arrest, but his hand withers. The altar splits apart. At the prayer of the man of God, the king's hand is healed. Yet he does not change his ways.
The word against his house
1 Kings 14:1-20Jeroboam's son Abijah falls ill. His wife goes to consult the prophet Ahijah, who announces the death of the child and the end of the house of Jeroboam, because of his sins and those he made Israel commit. Jeroboam reigns twenty-two years, then his son Nadab succeeds him.
What Jeroboam teaches us
- A promise of God remains conditional on obedience: Jeroboam received a kingdom, but did not walk in the ways of God.
- Fear of losing one's position can push a person to invent his own religion instead of trusting God.
- A leader who draws others into sin carries a heavy responsibility before God.
- Even after an obvious intervention of God, one can harden the heart and refuse to change.
- God stays faithful to his Word: what he announces through his prophets comes to pass.
Key verses
God promises Jeroboam that he will reign over Israel if he listens and walks in God's ways as David did. The promise is real, but it rests on faithfulness, which Jeroboam did not keep.
After taking counsel, Jeroboam makes two golden calves and tells the people that it is too much trouble to go up to Jerusalem. This verse shows the origin of the idolatry of the northern kingdom.
After the sign of the altar, Jeroboam does not turn from his evil way and keeps appointing priests for the high places. This verse shows a heart that stays closed despite an obvious warning.
Frequently asked questions
Who was Jeroboam in the Bible?
Jeroboam, son of Nebat, is the first king of northern Israel after the division of the kingdom. Announced by the prophet Ahijah, he falls into idolatry by setting up two golden calves at Bethel and Dan.
What does the name Jeroboam mean?
His name is generally linked to the idea of a people who multiply or who contend. The Bible gives no direct explanation of the name. It describes him as son of Nebat, an Ephraimite of Zeredah.
Where can I find the story of Jeroboam in the Bible?
It is found in the first book of Kings, in chapters 11 to 14. Chapter 11 tells of his designation by Ahijah, chapter 12 the division and the golden calves, chapter 13 the man of God, and chapter 14 the judgment on his house.