Jeroboam I

Jeroboam I son of Nebat came out of Solomon's kingdom after the prophet Ahijah met him and announced that Yahweh would tear ten tribes from Solomon's son and give them to Jeroboam 1 Kings 11:26-39. Solomon sought to kill him, and Jeroboam fled to Egypt until Solomon died 1 Kings 11:40.

After Rehoboam rejected Israel's plea for lighter service, the northern tribes summoned Jeroboam and made him king over all Israel except Judah 1 Kings 12:1-20. Fearing that worship in Jerusalem would turn the people back to Rehoboam, Jeroboam made golden calves at Bethel and Dan, appointed priests who were not Levites, and set up his own feast 1 Kings 12:26-33.

Judgment reached his house while his son Abijah was sick, when Ahijah announced that disaster would come on the house of Jeroboam and that the child would die 1 Kings 14:1-16. Jeroboam reigned 22 years, died, and was succeeded by Nadab his son 1 Kings 14:19-20.