Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897)
Increase of the people. (1.) The son of Nebat (1 Kings 11:26-39), “an Ephrathite,” the first king of the ten tribes, over whom he reigned twenty-two years (B.C. 976-945). He was the son of a widow of Zereda, and while still young was promoted by Solomon to be chief superintendent of the “burnden”, i.e., of the bands of forced labourers. Influenced by the words of the prophet Ahijah, he began to form conspiracies with the view of becoming
king of the ten tribes; but these having been discovered, he fled to Egypt (1 Kings 11:29-40), where he remained for a length of time under the protection of Shishak I. On the death of Solomon, the ten tribes, having revolted, sent to invite him to become their king. The conduct of Rehoboam favoured the designs of Jeroboam, and he was accordingly proclaimed “king of Israel” (1 Kings 12: 1-20). He rebuilt and fortified Shechem as the capital
of his kingdom. He at once adopted means to perpetuate the division thus made between the two parts of the kingdom, and erected at Dan and Bethel, the two extremities of his kingdom, “golden calves,” which he set up as symbols of Jehovah, enjoining the people not any more to go up to worship at Jerusalem, but to bring their offerings to the shrines he had erected. Thus he became distinguished as the man “who made Israel to sin.” This
policy was followed by all the succeeding kings of Israel. While he was engaged in offering incense at Bethel, a prophet from Judah appeared before him with a warning message from the Lord. Attempting to arrest the prophet for his bold words of defiance, his hand was “dried up,” and the altar before which he stood was rent asunder. At his urgent entreaty his “hand was restored him again” (1 Kings 13:1-6, 9; comp. 2 Kings 23:15); but the
miracle made no abiding impression on him. His reign was one of constant war with the house of Judah. He died soon after his son Abijah (1 Kings 14:1-18). (2.) Jeroboam II., the son and successor of Jehoash, and the fourteenth king of Israel, over which he ruled for forty-one years, B.C. 825-784 (2 Kings 14:23). He followed the example of the first Jeroboam in keeping up the worship of the golden calves (2 Kings 14:24). His reign was contemporary
with those of Amaziah (2 Kings 14:23) and Uzziah (15:1), kings of Judah. He was victorious over the Syrians (13:4; 14:26, 27), and extended Israel to its former limits, from “the entering of Hamath to the sea of the plain” (14:25; Amos 6:14). His reign of forty-one years was the most prosperous that Israel had ever known as yet. With all this outward prosperity, however, iniquity widely prevailed in the land (Amos 2:6-8; 4:1; 6:6; Hos.
4:12-14). The prophets Hosea (1:1), Joel (3:16; Amos 1:1, 2), Amos (1:1), and Jonah (2 Kings 14:25) lived during his reign. He died, and was buried with his ancestors (14:29). He was succeeded by his son Zachariah (q.v.). His name occurs in Scripture only in 2 Kings 13:13; 14:16, 23, 27, 28, 29; 15:1, 8; 1 Chr. 5:17; Hos. 1:1; Amos 1:1; 7:9, 10, 11. In all other passages it is Jeroboam the son of Nebat that is meant.
Smith's Bible Dictionary (1863)
(whose people are many).
Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible (1898)
JER'OBOAM (whose people is many). 1. The son of Nebat, is distinguished as "the man who made Israel to sin," and was the first king of the ten tribes, b.c. 975-964. He came of the tribe of Ephraim; and distinguishing himself, he was made by Solomon the superintendent of all the workmen furnished by his tribe. While thus employed the prophet Ahijah, by a symbolical act, informed him that the kingdom of Solomon was to be divided and he was to
become the head of the ten tribes. What he did on receiving this information we know not; possibly he may have endeavored to hasten matters by raising the standard of revolt; but at any rate Solomon was alarmed, and took measures to apprehend Jeroboam, who fled to Egypt and remained there till Solomon's death. 1 Kgs 11:26-40. After Solomon's death the smouldering fires of discontent burst into a flame. Rehoboam, his successor, acted foolishly,
returning an insulting answer to the people's mild demands. Accordingly, the ten tribes threw off the yoke and elected Jeroboam, who had returned, as the one best qualified to be their king. Thus was prophecy fulfilled. He fixed his residence at Shechem, which, with other cities, he fortified for the furtherance of his plans. Fearing that if the revolted tribes should go up to the solemn national feasts at Jerusalem they would be persuaded to
return to their allegiance, and forgetting his obligations to God and his dependence on him, he caused two golden calves to be erected, one at Dan and the other at Bethel, the extremities of his dominions, and caused a proclamation to be made, requiring the worship of these idols. 1 Kgs 12:26-33. Jeroboam, having set up the idols, assembled the people at the latter place, to engage in the solemn worship of them; and to show his zeal for the
service he officiated at the altar himself. But while he was thus occupied a prophet from the land of Judah appeared in the midst of the assembly, and in the hearing of all the people uttered a prediction that a man by the name of Josiah should arise and destroy that altar, and should burn upon it the bones of the priests; and to confirm his authority he gave this sign, that the altar should immediately be broken in pieces and the ashes upon it
be poured out; and it was so. Jeroboam, greatly provoked by this bold interference, put forth his hand to seize the prophet; but in a moment it was stiffened, so that he could not draw it in. Intimidated by this miraculous judgment, and convinced that the man was indeed a prophet of the Lord, he begged that he would intercede for him that his arm might be restored, which was done accordingly. Jeroboam, however, was not reformed by this divine
message and double miracle, but continued to cause Israel to sin in worshipping the calves which he had set up. His son was taken sick, and he instructed his wife to disguise herself and go to Ahijah, who was now blind with age, and consult with him as to the result of the disease. The prophet was forewarned of her approach; and as soon as he heard her footsteps he called her by name, and after recounting the sins of Jeroboam he predicted the
disgrace and ruin and utter extirpation of his whole family, and also the captivity and dispersion of the people of Israel. He also told her that the child should die, and that the nation should mourn for him as the only individual of the house of their king who should come to a peaceful end, and also as one who in the midst of all the idolatry and wickedness of the times had some pious emotions, even in the house of Jeroboam. As she entered the
door of her house the child died. 1 Kgs 14:17. Jeroboam reigned in Israel 22 years, and was succeeded by his son Nadab. During his life there were almost unceasing wars between him and the house of David. The son of Joash, and the great grandson of Jehu, reigned 41 years, b.c. 825-784, and followed the former Jeroboam in his idolatrous worship. 2 Kgs 14:23-29. The Lord, however, by him, according to the predictions of the prophet Jonah, raised
the kingdom of the ten tribes to its greatest splendor. All the countries on the east of the Jordan he reduced. "The full extent of ancient sovereignty was recovered, no king of the northern state having ever been so victorious as he." It appears from the writings of Hosea and Amos that idleness, effeminacy, pride, oppression, injustice, idolatry, and luxury greatly prevailed in his reign. Am 2:6-16; Jud 5:6. Nor was it long after his death
before the Lord, according to the predictions of Amos, cut off his family with the sword. 2 Kgs 15:10; Hos 1:1, etc.
Hitchcock's Bible Names (1869)
he that opposes the people
Schaff's Bible Dictionary
JER'OBOAM (whose people is many). 1. The son of Nebat, is distinguished as "the man who made Israel to sin," and was the first king of the ten tribes, b.c. 975-964. He came of the tribe of Ephraim; and distinguishing himself, he was made by Solomon the superintendent of all the workmen furnished by his tribe. While thus employed the prophet Ahijah, by a symbolical act, informed him that the kingdom of Solomon was to be divided and he was to
become the head of the ten tribes. What he did on receiving this information we know not; possibly he may have endeavored to hasten matters by raising the standard of revolt; but at any rate Solomon was alarmed, and took measures to apprehend Jeroboam, who fled to Egypt and remained there till Solomon's death. 1 Kgs 11:26-40. After Solomon's death the smouldering fires of discontent burst into a flame. Rehoboam, his successor, acted foolishly,
returning an insulting answer to the people's mild demands. Accordingly, the ten tribes threw off the yoke and elected Jeroboam, who had returned, as the one best qualified to be their king. Thus was prophecy fulfilled. He fixed his residence at Shechem, which, with other cities, he fortified for the furtherance of his plans. Fearing that if the revolted tribes should go up to the solemn national feasts at Jerusalem they would be persuaded to
return to their allegiance, and forgetting his obligations to God and his dependence on him, he caused two golden calves to be erected, one at Dan and the other at Bethel, the extremities of his dominions, and caused a proclamation to be made, requiring the worship of these idols. 1 Kgs 12:26-33. Jeroboam, having set up the idols, assembled the people at the latter place, to engage in the solemn worship of them; and to show his zeal for the
service he officiated at the altar himself. But while he was thus occupied a prophet from the land of Judah appeared in the midst of the assembly, and in the hearing of all the people uttered a prediction that a man by the name of Josiah should arise and destroy that altar, and should burn upon it the bones of the priests; and to confirm his authority he gave this sign, that the altar should immediately be broken in pieces and the ashes upon it
be poured out; and it was so. Jeroboam, greatly provoked by this bold interference, put forth his hand to seize the prophet; but in a moment it was stiffened, so that he could not draw it in. Intimidated by this miraculous judgment, and convinced that the man was indeed a prophet of the Lord, he begged that he would intercede for him that his arm might be restored, which was done accordingly. Jeroboam, however, was not reformed by this divine
message and double miracle, but continued to cause Israel to sin in worshipping the calves which he had set up. His son was taken sick, and he instructed his wife to disguise herself and go to Ahijah, who was now blind with age, and consult with him as to the result of the disease. The prophet was forewarned of her approach; and as soon as he heard her footsteps he called her by name, and after recounting the sins of Jeroboam he predicted the
disgrace and ruin and utter extirpation of his whole family, and also the captivity and dispersion of the people of Israel. He also told her that the child should die, and that the nation should mourn for him as the only individual of the house of their king who should come to a peaceful end, and also as one who in the midst of all the idolatry and wickedness of the times had some pious emotions, even in the house of Jeroboam. As she entered the
door of her house the child died. 1 Kgs 14:17. Jeroboam reigned in Israel 22 years, and was succeeded by his son Nadab. During his life there were almost unceasing wars between him and the house of David.