Jeroboam-The Evil Deceiver

By Mary Vee
I Kings 12 and II Chronicles 11

From A Levite's Journal

These words I am about to write can cost me my life. If you find this, please think of God's commands to His people before you are tempted to turn it over to King Jeroboam.

Jeroboam seemed to be a man after God's heart. He won our sympathy when Solomon's son, King Rehoboam, ordered an increase in labor demands. The people walked away from Rehoboam, even though he was the blessed King David's grandson. We/they were wrong.

David's descendants were to rule over Israel. No matter if good or bad, God said David's descendants would rule...end of discussion.

And now, Rehoboam, David's grandson is hiding in Jerusalem where the only tribe, Judah, has honored God's commands and remain under his rule.

As for Jeroboam, that wicked king deceived the rest of the tribes into making him king over them. I heard him talking to one of his advisors yesterday. He said, "The people will want to go to the temple in Jerusalem to offer their sacrifices to God. If they go to there, the will be in the territory of that King Rehoboam. I simply can't have that."

His advisor said, "I agree. What do you want to do?"

"We'll construct a god. We'll make two and put one in each corner of the country. We can point out how convenient it is for the people to offer their sacrifices. Yes. That should solve the problem. Have the laborers craft me two golden calfs. Quickly! Let's get this done, now."

The advisor hurried out of the king's chambers and put a rush on king Jeroboam's request. By the end of the afternoon, two golden calves were present to king Jeroboam. He smiled a wicked smile and called a meeting of all the Israelites.

"My people. Going to Jerusalem to offer sacrifices is such a long journey for you. I have made these two golden calves. One will be placed in Bethel, in the south and the other in Dan, in the north.  Go to these places to offer your sacrifices and worship your god."

The people gladly did as he said. They said it was much easier to go a short distance to offer their sacrifices. As a Levite, it didn't take any thinking at all to know this displeased God. My anger burned.

Jeroboam them built shrines in high places and appointed priests from all sorts of people even though they were not Levites! To insure the people would not go to Jerusalem for feasts and festivals, he created new ones. He offered the first sacrifices on these new altars.

Enough was enough. I refuse to give my allegiance to Jeroboam. Solomon's son, Rehoboam may be wicked, but at least he is from the line of David. I joined the other Levites, leaving our pastureland and property behind to journey to Jerusalem and live under the rule of Rehoboam.

We were not the only ones to see the truth. There were many from each tribe of Israel who decided to stay true to seeking the will of the Lord, the God of Israel. They journeyed with us to Jerusalem and offered their sacrifices to the Lord, the God of their fathers where God told us to. 

They joined us in supporting king Rehoboam, Solomon's son and lived in Jerusalem under Rehoboam's rule.

There simply is a time to stand up and do what is right, no matter what. 

I am proud to be among those who left Jeroboam and set my allegiance to king Rehoboam, the grandson of David, blessed by God.

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picture courtesy of visualbiblealive.com

1. Who is the evil king?
2. What did he do that was wrong?
3. Who was the blessed king of Israel?
4. Who is Rehoboam?
5. Why were the Levites angry?
6. What did they do?
7. What kind of people joined them?