26
Then Jeroboam the son of Nebat, an Ephraimite of Zeredah, Solomon'sservant, whose mother'sname was Zeruah, a widow, also rebelled* against the king.
28
Now the manJeroboam was a valiantwarrior, and when Solomonsaw that the youngman was industrious, he appointed him over all the forcedlabor of the house of Joseph.
29
It came about at that time, when Jeroboamwent out of Jerusalem, that the prophetAhijah the Shilonitefound him on the road. Now Ahijah had clothed himself with a newcloak; and both of them were alone in the field.
31
He said to Jeroboam, "Take for yourself tenpieces; for thussays the LORD, the God of Israel, 'Behold, I will tear the kingdom out of the hand of Solomon and give you tentribes
32
(but he will haveonetribe, for the sake of My servantDavid and for the sake of Jerusalem, the citywhich I have chosen from all the tribes of Israel ),
33
because* they have forsaken Me, and have worshipedAshtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, Chemosh the god of Moab, and Milcom the god of the sons of Ammon; and they have not walked in My ways, doingwhat is right in My sight and observing My statutes and My ordinances, as his fatherDavid did.
34
'Nevertheless I will not take the wholekingdom out of his hand, but I will make him rulerall the days of his life, for the sake of My servantDavidwhom I chose, whoobserved My commandments and My statutes;
36
'But to his son I will giveonetribe, that My servantDavid may have a lampalways*before Me in Jerusalem, the citywhere* I have chosen for Myself to put My name.
38
'Then it will be, that if you listen to all that I command you and walk in My ways, and dowhat is right in My sight by observing My statutes and My commandments, as My servantDaviddid, then I will be with you and build you an enduringhouse as I built for David, and I will giveIsrael to you.
40
Solomonsought therefore to putJeroboam to death; but Jeroboamarose and fled to Egypt to Shishakking of Egypt, and he was in Egyptuntil the death of Solomon.