Useful Bible Studies > 1 Kings Commentary > chapter 11
God had promised that Jeroboam would in the future become the king of northern Israel. However, that promise – like all God’s promises – must happen at the proper time. God has chosen the time for it to happen – and Jeroboam must not act before then. Until then, Jeroboam must wait for that time, even as David had to do (see 1 Samuel 16:1-13; 1 Samuel 26:10 and 2 Samuel 5:1-5).
For Jeroboam, that proper time was after the death of Solomon. God would allow Solomon to rule the whole of Israel for his entire life. It was Solomon’s son, Rehoboam, who would be unable to control the people from Israel’s northern tribes (family groups). Then, at last, Jeroboam’s opportunity to become king would come (12:1-20).
God made wonderful promises to Jeroboam that were like his promises to David (2 Samuel 7:12-16). If Jeroboam and his family remained loyal to God, they would always be Israel’s kings. However, to receive this promise, they must obey God’s commands; they must do those things that please God. They must remember that God appointed them; they must rule Israel in the way that God wants.
At the present time, God was acting against David’s family because of Solomon’s evil deeds. That was why God would give Jeroboam the opportunity to be king. However, God reminded Jeroboam that he (God) had not turned away permanently from David’s family. God’s future king, called the Messiah, would still come from David’s family, as God had promised (Psalm 110; Jeremiah 23:5-6).
Next part: Solomon tries to murder Jeroboam (1 Kings 11:40)
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