King of Israel from 782-753, Jeroboam had had ten years practice in ruling as co-regent with his fater for ten years. Reigning at a time when both the Egyptians and the Assyrians were distracted by internal difficulties, Jeroboam's rule is best remembered for the economic boom in the country and the territorial expansion he initiated. His reign is notable in being served by three prophets: Jonah, Amos, and Hosea. His story is told in 2 Ki 14:16-29.
Open chart of Israel's Kings ☰.
Namesake of Jerobaom ben Nebat he too lived in the same mode of spiritual rebellion for he "did not turn away from any of the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, which he had caused Israel to commit" (2 Ki 14:24). Encouraged both by fortuitous weaknesses of Egpyt and Assyria and the prophesy of Jonah Jeroboam went on a round of military conquests and "restored the boundaries of Israel from Lebo Hamath to the Sea of the Arabah" that had been lost by his father to the Syrians (2 Ki 14:25). With plenty of new money flooding the land the idolatrous altar at Bethel was made a royal sanctuary—"this is the king's sanctuary and the temple of the kingdom" (Amos 7:13). The rich were enjoying life like never before (and would never again). Luxurious winter houses down in the plains and summer houses up in the hills, wild parties drenched in unceasing flow of wine, debauchery, mindless exploitation and callous oppression of the poor, made more insensitive by a noisy empty religiousity at the sanctuary became the marks of the day for the old money and the novo rich. These were plainly and roundly condemned by Amos as breaches of the covenant and sins against Yahweh; "with my sword I will rise against the house of Jeroboam" (Amos 7:9). In 753 BC Jeroboam died, probably of a natural death, and was successed by his son, Zechariah, who ruled only half a year before he was promptly assassinated (2 Ki 15:8-10). Within thirty years, the nation would be no more, invaded by the Assyrians in 722 BC, the northern tribes under his rule washed away into the flotam of history.
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