We were first introduced to Jeroboam when we read 1 Kings 11. He had been a successful servant of Solomon who ran away to Egypt. Now with Solomon dead, he returns to Israel and challenges Rehoboam, the new king. With some compromise, Rehoboam probably could have stayed in power, but that was not God鈥檚 plan. Solomon鈥檚 success had not only defeated Solomon, but also caused Rehoboam act like a dictator.
Solomon鈥檚 slide from a strong relationship with God to a poor one seems to happen slowly. However, the consequence comes on his family very rapidly. Once the consequence comes, it鈥檚 too late to turn back. How much better to catch a slow movement away from God in its early stages!