JEROBOAM, the anther of the schism in the Jewish kingdom, and the founder of the separate kingdom of Israel, had been a distinguished captain in the army of Solomon, but, probably on account of some oppression occasioned by the great expenditure of Solomon in building, he had rebelled ; and on leaving Jerusalem the prophet Ahijah foretold the separation, and that be should be king. Solomon upon learning this sought to slay Jeroboam, who found refuge in the court of ShIshak, king of Egypt. On the death of Solomon be immediately repaired to Sheehan, where the chiefs of the tribes bed assembled to meet Reho boam, and to remonstrate with him on the weight of the taxation. Rehobosm haughtily repulsed their suit, and therefore the ten tribes elected Jeroboam king in B.C. 990, leaving to Itehoboam only the tribes of Judah and Benjamin. Rehoboare returned to Jerusalem and sasembled a large army, but on the intimation of the prophet Shemaiah that it would be contrary to the will of the Lord, he desisted.
Jeroboam, thus in possession of the throne, took up his abode at Sbechem, which he made the capital of his kingdom. Feeling or imagining a danger in allowing his subjects to pay their accustomed devotions in the temple at Jerusalem, he caused two golden calves to be set up at the extremities of his dominions, at Dan and Bethel, rather as symbols it is supposed of the true God than as objects of direct idolatry ; and as the Levites would not serve, made priests of the lowest of tho people. Prophets were sent to protest against this
desecration, and when Jeroboam would have arrested one his band was withered, but restored at the prayer of the prophet. Notwith standing this he continued his course. Although Rehoboam bad abstained from attacking Jeroboam at first, the Scripture records that there were wars between them all the days of Itehoboam's life; and when in the eighteenth year of Jeroboam's reign Abijah succeeded to the throne of Judah, he assembled an army of 400,000 men, to whom Jeroboam opposed one of 800,000, and a battle took place in which Israel was defeated, and there were slain of them "500,000 chosen men." Some writers, among others Dr. Hales, think there is a cypher too many in each of the above numbers; but it is certain that from this period Israel was greatly weakened, and Judah increased in pro portioual strength. Though Abijah had achieved this great victory, uo material consequences followed beyond taking a few towns, among which was Bethel, with ouo of the golden calves. Jeroboam continued to reign four years longer ; he theu died, and was succeeded by his eon leadsb.