The Israelite King Jeroboam

 Nadene Goldfoot                                     

Detail of Jeroboam Sacrificing to Idols by Fragonard, 1752, Paintings & Engravings: Classic works—such as Jeroboam Sacrificing to Idols by artists like Jean-Honoré Fragonard—depict him presiding over the golden calf altars.

Jeroboam I, King of Israel from 930-910 BCE, was from the tribe of Ephraim. Jeroboam was the son of Nebat, an Ephraimite of Zereda. His mother, named Zeruah (צרוע "leprous") was a widow. He had at least two sons, Abijahand Nadab; Nadab succeeded Jeroboam on the throne. 

Ephraim was the younger son of Joseph, Ephraim claimed priority among the tribes because their religious center was in Shiloh.  The secession of tHe northern tribes centered on Ephraim. The Hebrew people either belonged to the HOUSE OF JUDAH or the HOUSE OF EPHRAIM.  

Jeroboam worked for King Solomon being his superintendent of forced labor. He watched over Solomon's tribesmen in the building of the fortress Millo in Jerusalem and of other public works, where he became conversant with the widespread discontent caused by the extravagances which marked the reign of Solomon. When Solomon died, it was he who led the revolt against this burden imposed upon the people by the monarchy of Solomon. 

His revolutionary movement was at first suppressed, and he began to form conspiracies with the aim of becoming king; but these plans were discovered, and he had to take refuge in Egypt,  where he remained under the protection of Pharaoh Shishak until the death of Solomon.                 

                         10th century BCE Pharaoh Shishak 

 Originally an Ephraimite official and labor overseer under King Solomon, he fled to Egypt under Pharaoh Shishak after the prophet Ahijah foretold he would rule ten tribes.   Refuge for Jeroboam: Shishak provided political asylum to Jeroboam when King Solomon sought to kill him after Jeroboam rebelled (1 Kings 11:40).

 Jeroboam returned after Solomon's death.  Ahijah was the son of Ahitub, priest in the reign of Saul who accompanied the Ark into battle against the Philistines.  He was the Shilonite/Shiloh prophet during and after the reign of Solomon who later also forecast his downfall, (I Kings 11:29

Jeroboam led a delegation representing the ten northern Israeli tribes which met Rehoboam, Solomon's son and heir, at Shechem (Nablus), which was an ancient town (Caanite town between Mt. Gerizim and Mt. Ebal, in Jordanian territory in 1948-1967, then under Israel governing), demanding changes in the system of taxation AND forced labor.

They even anointed Jeroboam as their king.  

Jeroboam chose Shechem as his capital, but was later removed to Penuel in Transjordan and  then finally to Tirzah.    

Five years after his accession, 60 towns of his territory were ravaged by an Egyptian invasion.  

To compete with the influence of  the Jerusalem Temple since people were not visiting there, he set up new shrines at Bethel and Dan , appointed non-Levitical priests, and changed religious dates. He created it with a similar cult but centering around the symbols  of golden calves.  These were the symbols of Baal, a polytheistic religion which also believed in human sacrifice.  

Of course, the Torah and talmudic sources later were violently hostile to  Jeroboam, who wouldn't be, who they accused of "sinning" and had caused Israel to "sin."  Jeroboam, from the tribe of Ephraim, did not catch onto what Moses had left as the ways to live with the commandments and the idea of the Oneness of G-d.  That led the northern kingdom down a path of apostasy. He was succeeded by his son, Nadab.

Why King David Is Still Adored

Nadene Goldfoot

King David accomplished the political and spiritual unification of ancient Israel, established a regional empire, and founded Jerusalem as the nation's capital.  Our ancestors were part of the Empire of Israel, because of David. 

David(1000 -960 BCE)  is described in the Bible as a red-cheeked, bright-eyed, handsome, and youthful shepherd from Bethlehem who became a musician, a giant-slayer, and the second King of Israel. I've read that he had reddish hair.   The youngest of seven or eight sons of Jesse from the tribe of Judah living in Bethlehem.  Background: Spent his early life tending his family's sheep in the rugged hills around Bethlehem.  

Musician: A skilled harpist whose music could soothe King Saul's troubled spirit.  
King Saul did not live in or rule from Bethlehem, but the city was the source of his greatest political threat and the home of his most famous servant. As a Benjaminite from Gibeah, Saul's connections to Bethlehem—a city in Judah—were defined entirely by his complex relationships with the prophet Samuel and David.  After God rejected Saul for disobedience, the prophet Samuel traveled secretly to Bethlehem to anoint a new king from the house of Jesse. Samuel explicitly feared that if Saul discovered the purpose of his trip to Bethlehem, Saul would have him executed for treason. This event established Bethlehem as the birthplace of the rival Davidic dynasty. When Saul was tormented by an "evil spirit," his servants sought out a skilled musician to soothe him. They identified David, described as the son of Jesse the Bethlehemite. For a long period, David divided his time between Saul's royal court in Gibeah and his family home in Bethlehem, routinely traveling back and forth to look after his father’s sheep.

Spiritual heart: Known as "a man after God's own heart," deeply devoted to Yahweh, and the author of many of the Psalms (Tehillim). 1st book in the Haagio-grapha of Bible, contains 150 p. Talmud says only 147;   written by David (180 to Asaph) which are written in 1st person singular, opening words of "Hallelujah', "Give thanks," and "A song of Degrees.", songs concerning events in the lives of individuals like David, including effusions of sorrow and joy.  This anthology of lyric-poems of high artistic standard and suffused with a deep religious feeling have assured its popularity among many people: Jews and Christians, perhaps others, and have found their incorporation into liturgies of both religions.  #3, A psalm by David, as he fled from Absalom his son,  Hashem, how numerous are my tormentors!  The GREAT rise up against me!  The GREAT say of my soul, "There is no salvation for him from G-d, Selah!  But you, Hashem, are a shield for me, for my soul, and the One who raises my head.  With my voice I call out to Hashem, and He answers me from His holy mountain, Selah.  I lay down and slept, yet I awoke, for Hashem supports me.  I fear not the myriads of people deployed against me all around.  Rise up, Hashem;  save me, my G-d, for you struck all of my enemies on the cheek.  You broke the teeth of the wicked.  Salvation is Hashem's, upon Your people is Your blessing, Selah.  [In Psalm 3, selah (סֶלָה) is an ancient Hebrew term—appearing three times in verses 2, 4, and 8—that most scholars and translations view as a musical or liturgical pause meant for reflection. I think we need to hear this Psalm right now, as the GREAT are all of Europe and their followers.  
Contributed to Scripture: He is traditionally credited with writing a large portion of the biblical Psalms. 



Complex flaws: David exhibited human weakness, including committing adultery with Bathsheba and orchestrating the death of her husband Uriah. One thing about the Torah and other writings;  nothing bad about people have been left out.  The writings tell all.  

Major Accomplishments

Defeated Goliath: As a young shepherd, he killed the Philistine champion Goliath with a sling and stone.
 Warrior and hero: Gained fame by killing lions and bears while shepherding, and defeating the Philistine giant Goliath with a sling and a stone.

                                        Talking to all                                       of them at the                                     threshing floor 



































Unified the Kingdom: He brought the twelve tribes of Israel and Judah together under a single monarchy, reigning for roughly 40 years (c. 1010–970 BC). 


Conquered Jerusalem: He captured the fortress of Jerusalem from the Jebusites and turned it into the political and religious center of the kingdom, ("City of David"). King David captured the Jebusite stronghold of Jerusalem (then called Jebus) around 1004 BC by sending his commander Joab through an underground water shaft connected to the Gihon Spring,   The Jebusites felt safe behind massive walls and mocked David, claiming their fortress was so strong that even the blind and the lame could keep his army out.   David offered a reward and told his men that anyone who wanted to defeat the Jebusites had to climb up through the city's hidden water tunnel or shaft.  : Joab led an elite unit up through the dark underground water passage, emerged inside the city, opened the gates, and let the rest of the Israelite army in to take control.



Brought the Ark of the Covenant: He moved the sacred Ark to Jerusalem to anchor the nation's spiritual life. 



The First Attempt: David gathered 30,000 men and placed the Ark on a new oxcart instead of having Levites carry it with poles as required by Torah law.
The Death of Uzzah: When the oxen stumbled at the threshing floor of Nakon, a man named Uzzah reached out to steady the Ark and was struck dead by God for touching it. 
At Obed-Edom’s House: Fearing God, David left the Ark at the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite for three months, bringing immense blessing to Obed-Edom's household.
The Second Attempt: Realizing the proper procedure, David had consecrated Levites carry the Ark on poles. 
Dancing in Jerusalem: David wore a simple linen ephod (priestly garment) and danced with all his might before the Lord as they entered the city. 
Michal’s Disapproval: David’s wife, Michal (Saul's daughter), watched from a window and despised his passionate dancing, leading to a rift between them.
Placement: David placed the Ark inside a special tent he had pitched for it in Jerusalem, offered sacrifices, and distributed food to the people.



Expanded Military Borders: He decisively defeated regional threats—including the Philistines, Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, and Syrians—building a dominant local empire. 



Prepared for the Temple: Though barred from building the Temple himself, he gathered massive material resources and commissioned his son and successor, Solomon, to construct it.  David contributed 100,000 talents of gold and 1,000,000 talents of silver from his personal treasures and national spoils, alongside additional offerings from the leaders of Israel.
Bronze and Iron: Quantities of bronze and iron were weighed out in such abundance that they were described as "beyond weighing" to be used for the temple gates, fixtures, and structural couplings.
Timbers: David secured massive quantities of cedar logs from the regions of Tyre and Sidon, delivered through agreements with regional leaders. 
Stone and Finished Masonry: He commanded the gathering of dressed stones, fine ashlar blocks, and onyx and turquoise stones for setting, ensuring that the heavy quarrying work was already underway before Solomon took the throne.
Resource:
AI
The Stone Edition of the Torah, etc.
The New Standard Jewish Encyclopedia