Sirach 47:23

Establishment of the northern kingdom

23 Solomon rested with his ancestors, and he left behind one of his offspring— Rehoboam, a foolish man among the people, one lacking understanding. He caused the people to rebel because of his policy, led by Jeroboam, Nebat's son, who made Israel sin and set Ephraim on its sinful path.

Sirach 47:23 In-Context

21 Your empire became divided, and a rival kingdom sprang up out of Ephraim.

22 But the Lord will never abandon his mercy, and none of his words will perish. He will never wipe out the descendants of his chosen one, and never take away the descendants of the one who loved him. Therefore, he gave a remnant to Jacob and a root to David from his family.

23 Solomon rested with his ancestors, and he left behind one of his offspring— Rehoboam, a foolish man among the people, one lacking understanding. He caused the people to rebel because of his policy, led by Jeroboam, Nebat's son, who made Israel sin and set Ephraim on its sinful path.

24 Their sins increased greatly until they were removed from their land.

25 They explored every kind of wickedness until vengeance overtook them.

Footnotes

• [a] Heb extensive in folly to form a pun on the name Rehoboam