Who is Jeroboam son of Nebat in this passage?

Jeroboam is introduced as the son of Nebat, from Zereda in the tribe of Ephraim. His mother Zeruah was a widow, so he likely rose by his own hard work. The text calls him a mighty man of valor and notes that he was very industrious. Solomon noticed his skill and put him in charge of the work and burdens over the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh, called the house of Joseph. Later, God chooses this same Jeroboam to receive rule over ten tribes of Israel when the kingdom is divided.

Why does God say the kingdom will be torn from Solomon’s house?

God explains very clearly that the kingdom will be torn from Solomon’s son because Solomon and the people turned from God. They left God’s ways and worshiped other gods, named here as Ashtoreth, Chemosh, and Milcom. Instead of walking in God’s commandments as David did, they followed idols. Because of this, God judges the royal house by taking most of the tribes away. Yet God does not erase David’s line, but leaves one tribe for the sake of His promise to David and for Jerusalem, the city He chose.

What is the meaning of Ahijah tearing the new garment into twelve pieces?

Ahijah’s act with the new garment is a picture of what God is about to do to the kingdom. The garment is torn into twelve pieces, matching the twelve tribes of Israel. Jeroboam is told to take ten pieces, which stands for the ten tribes God will give him to rule. The remaining piece, counted as one tribe, pictures what stays with the house of David in Jerusalem. This simple, physical act makes God’s message easy to see: the united kingdom will not stay together but will be split apart.

Why does God leave one tribe for David’s sake and for Jerusalem?

God leaves one tribe with Solomon’s son because of His promise to David. David had walked in God’s ways, kept His commandments, and God had chosen him. Out of respect for that promise, God will not remove the whole kingdom from David’s line. He also mentions Jerusalem, the city He chose to put His name there. So even while God judges Solomon’s sin, He keeps a lamp burning for David’s house in Jerusalem. This shows both God’s fairness in judgment and His steady faithfulness to His earlier promises.

What promise does God give Jeroboam about a ‘sure house’?

God tells Jeroboam that if he listens to God’s commands, walks in God’s ways, and does what is right as David did, then God will be with him. God promises to build Jeroboam a ‘sure house,’ meaning a stable family line and lasting rule, similar to what God did for David. This promise is clearly conditional. It depends on Jeroboam’s obedience and faithfulness. The passage also warns that turning from God brings trouble, as seen in the way Solomon’s house is afflicted for its idolatry, though not wiped out forever.

Why did Solomon try to kill Jeroboam after this prophecy?

When Solomon heard what had been spoken about Jeroboam receiving ten tribes, he tried to kill Jeroboam. The text does not spell out all his thoughts, but it is clear Solomon resisted what God had announced. Instead of humbling himself under God’s word, he acted to protect his throne and his family’s hold on power. This shows how far Solomon had drifted from earlier faithfulness. Jeroboam then fled to Egypt, seeking safety under King Shishak, and stayed there until Solomon died, waiting for the time when the word of God would unfold.

What does this passage teach about God’s character toward sin and promises?

This passage shows that God takes sin, especially idolatry, very seriously. Solomon’s turning to other gods and leading Israel with him brings real loss. The kingdom that once was united is now divided. At the same time, God does not forget what He has spoken before. He remembers David, who obeyed Him, and keeps one tribe for David’s line and for Jerusalem. So we see both sides at once: God brings hard consequences for turning away, yet He holds firmly to His word and keeps His covenant promises.

How can this story of Jeroboam and Solomon’s kingdom speak to believers today?

This story reminds believers that what leaders love and worship affects many people. When Solomon turned from God, the whole kingdom felt it. It also shows that God cares about the daily faithfulness of His people, not just big public acts. Jeroboam is lifted up because he was diligent, yet he is warned that his future depends on ongoing obedience. For readers today, this can encourage careful loyalty to God and trust that God both judges sin and still carries out His good plans, even when human leaders fail.

1Kgs.11.26

1 Kings 11:26

King James Version (KJV)

¶ 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.

Chapter:

Context:

Jeroboam’s Rebellion

¶ 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.

And this was the cause that he lifted up his hand against the king: Solomon built Millo, and repaired the breaches of the city of David his father.

And the man Jeroboam was a mighty man of valour: and Solomon seeing the young man that he was industrious, he made him ruler over all the charge of the house of Joseph.

And it came to pass at that time when Jeroboam went out of Jerusalem, that the prophet Ahijah the Shilonite found him in the way; and he had clad himself with a new garment; and they two were alone in the field:

And Ahijah caught the new garment that was on him, and rent it in twelve pieces:

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:

(But he shall have one tribe for my servant David’s sake, and for Jerusalem’s sake, the city which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel:)

Because that they have forsaken me, and have worshipped Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, Chemosh the god of the Moabites, and Milcom the god of the children of Ammon, and have not walked in my ways, to do that which is right in mine eyes, and to keep my statutes and my judgments, as did David his father.

Howbeit I will not take the whole kingdom out of his hand: but I will make him prince all the days of his life for David my servant’s sake, whom I chose, because he kept my commandments and my statutes:

But I will take the kingdom out of his son’s hand, and will give it unto thee, even ten tribes.

And unto his son will I give one tribe, that David my servant may have a light alway before me in Jerusalem, the city which I have chosen me to put my name there.

And I will take thee, and thou shalt reign according to all that thy soul desireth, and shalt be king over Israel.

And it shall be, if thou wilt hearken unto all that I command thee, and wilt walk in my ways, and do that is right in my sight, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as David my servant did; that I will be with thee, and build thee a sure house, as I built for David, and will give Israel unto thee.

And I will for this afflict the seed of David, but not for ever.

Solomon sought therefore to kill Jeroboam. And Jeroboam arose, and fled into Egypt, unto Shishak king of Egypt, and was in Egypt until the death of Solomon.

Cross References

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