Choose a king from the North. Summarize his reign and the evaluation of it. What could have he done different in order to have a positive evaluation from God?
King Jeroboam, son of Nebat who was one of the King Solomon’s officials, an Ephraimite from Zeredah and his widow mother was Zeruah (1 Kings 11:26). He was a man of standing, master statesman (Kaiser.304), and an in charge of the whole labor force of the house of Joseph (v.28). He was the first King of the divided kingdom of Northern Israel.
He reigned for 22 years, and all the events of his kingship and reigns were written in the annals of the kings of Israel and he was rested with his father (1 Kings 14: 20). The promise of God for his enthronement was revealed through prophet Ahijah of Shiloh that God is going to divide the kingdom of Israel from the house of king Solomon into two and ten tribes would be with him (Jeroboam)… and he would rule over Israel in his own hearts desire if he walk and do right things in the eyes of the Lord as king David did…(1Kings 11:37-39). But he did not keep the command of God and mislead Israel by making altars and shrines to worship other gods and idols (1Kings 12: 25-33), and appointed illegal priests and Levites over them. He was called a man who causes the Lord angry and did more sins and evils than anyone else before him (1kings 14: 9).
If he did not developed evil thoughts towards southern kingdoms (Judah) and made for the altars and its worship, he would be more popular in his divine leadership in Israel. This is one of his greatest weaknesses and could be the major cause of his downfall from the throne. If he could follow and obey what God had promised and instructed him to do and rule over Israel even though it is not forever, it could have been possible to took control over all Israel including southern kingdom as the Lord leads and direct and be with him. There could be possibility of peace and unity in both kingdoms through his leadership. He began with divine intervention of God’s hands for his future kingship but ends with confusion and curse from God.
Reference:
The Holy Bible (NIV). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1996.
Kaiser, Walter C. A History of Israel: From the Bronze Age Through the Jewish Wars. Nashville, Tennessee: Brodman & Holman Publishers, 1998.
Great reasons for your choice. 98.