1 Kings 12:2

And it came to pass, when Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who was yet in Egypt, heard [of it], (for he was fled from the presence of king Solomon, and Jeroboam dwelt in Egypt;)

And it came to pass, when Jeroboam {H3379} the son {H1121} of Nebat {H5028}, who was yet in Egypt {H4714}, heard {H8085} of it,(for he was fled {H1272} from the presence {H6440} of king {H4428} Solomon {H8010}, and Jeroboam {H3379} dwelt {H3427} in Egypt {H4714};)

When Yarov'am the son of N'vat heard of it - for he was still in Egypt, where he had fled from Shlomo; so Yarov'am was living in Egypt;

When Jeroboam son of Nebat heard about this, he was still in Egypt where he had fled from King Solomon and had been living ever since.

And it came to pass, when Jeroboam the son of Nebat heard of it (for he was yet in Egypt, whither he had fled from the presence of king Solomon, and Jeroboam dwelt in Egypt,

Commentary

Context

This verse sets the stage for one of the most pivotal moments in Israel's history: the division of the united monarchy. It immediately follows the account of King Solomon's death and the ascension of his son, Rehoboam, to the throne (1 Kings 11:43). The phrase "heard [of it]" refers to Jeroboam hearing about these critical events, specifically Solomon's passing and the subsequent power transition.

Jeroboam, the son of Nebat, was a prominent Ephraimite official under Solomon. He had previously been marked by the prophet Ahijah as the one God would use to rule ten tribes of Israel due to Solomon's idolatry (1 Kings 11:29-39). Solomon, aware of this prophetic threat to his dynasty, sought to kill Jeroboam, forcing him to flee to Egypt, where he remained until this opportune moment.

Key Themes

  • Divine Sovereignty and Timing: Jeroboam's exile in Egypt was not an end but a pause, perfectly orchestrated by God. His return at the exact moment of Solomon's death highlights God's control over human affairs and the fulfillment of prophecy.
  • Consequences of Disobedience: The entire narrative leading to Jeroboam's prominence and the kingdom's division is a direct result of King Solomon's spiritual decline and idolatry (1 Kings 11:9-13). This verse underscores that the seeds of division were sown long before this moment.
  • The Call of a Leader: Jeroboam's presence in Egypt, and his subsequent recall, signifies the emergence of a new leader chosen by God to fulfill a specific, albeit challenging, role in Israel's history.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "fled from the presence of king Solomon" emphasizes the severity of the threat Jeroboam faced. To "flee from the presence" implies escaping immediate danger or royal wrath, indicating that Solomon's intent to kill him was serious. Jeroboam's dwelling in Egypt was not merely a visit but a period of refuge, a strategic retreat until circumstances changed.

Significance and Application

This verse is crucial because it signals the imminent return of the key figure destined to lead the rebellion against Rehoboam and establish the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Jeroboam's hearing the news and his subsequent return (as detailed in 1 Kings 12:3) directly leads to the fateful negotiations at Shechem and the eventual schism of the united kingdom.

For believers today, this passage serves as a powerful reminder of God's overarching plan, even amidst human failures and political turmoil. It illustrates that divine prophecies will be fulfilled, and God often uses unlikely individuals and circumstances to achieve His purposes. It also underscores the profound consequences of leadership's spiritual compromise, which can impact generations and alter the course of nations.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 1 Kings 11:40

    Solomon sought therefore to kill Jeroboam. And Jeroboam arose, and fled into Egypt, unto Shishak king of Egypt, and was in Egypt until the death of Solomon.

  • 2 Chronicles 10:2

    And it came to pass, when Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who [was] in Egypt, whither he had fled from the presence of Solomon the king, heard [it], that Jeroboam returned out of Egypt.

  • 2 Chronicles 10:3

    And they sent and called him. So Jeroboam and all Israel came and spake to Rehoboam, saying,

  • 1 Kings 11:26

    ¶ And Jeroboam the son of Nebat, an Ephrathite of Zereda, Solomon's servant, whose mother's name [was] Zeruah, a widow woman, even he lifted up [his] hand against the king.

  • 1 Kings 11:31

    And he said to Jeroboam, Take thee ten pieces: for thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel, Behold, I will rend the kingdom out of the hand of Solomon, and will give ten tribes to thee:
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