1. Yeravam Ben Nevat:
- His lineage: Yeravam was the son of Nevat, who was an Ephraimite of Tzeradah [from the tribe of Binyamin[1]]. His mother’s name was Tzeruah, and she was a widow. He was a servant of Shlomo, and he rebelled against the king [by chastising him in public[2]].
- His chastising of Shlomo: He rebelled against Shlomo by chastising him in the following matter: Shlomo built up the Millo [i.e. the courtyard of the city of David] and closed up the breach of the city of David, his father. [David had made a breach in the wall of the city of David to allow the pilgrims easy access to the temple area and palace, while Shlomo closed it up for the sake of the daughter of Pharaoh and her servants.[3]]
- His rise to power as a tax collector: Yeravam was a mighty warrior. Shlomo saw that the young man was a diligent worker, and he thus appointed him in charge of collecting all the taxes of the tribe of Joseph.
2. Yeravam meets the prophet Achiya HaShiloni, and is promised the kingship over the ten tribes:
- One time when Yeravam had left Jerusalem, he met on the road Achiya HaShiloni, who was a prophet.
- Achiyah tears the garment to ten pieces: One of them[4] was wearing a new garment. The two of them were alone in the field. Achiya grabbed the new garment that was on him, and tore it into twelve pieces.
- The prophecy of G-d to give him the kingdom: He then said to Yeravam, “Take ten torn pieces for yourself, as Hashem the G-d of Israel has said, “I shall tear the kingdom out of Shlomo’s hands and I shall give you the ten tribes. Shlomo will remain with one tribe, for the sake of My servant David and for the sake of Jerusalem, the city which I have chosen of all the tribes of Israel. I am making this happen since they have deserted Me and have prostrated themselves to Ashtoreth, the Goddess of the Zidonians, and to Chemosh, the G-d of Moab, and to Milcom, the G-d of the children of Ammon, and they have not walked in My ways, to do what is right in My eyes to keep My laws as did David his father. However, I will not take the entire kingdom away from him and I will allow him to remain King throughout all of the days of his life for the sake of David My servant, whom I chose, and who kept My commandments. However, I will take the kingdom away from his son, and will give to you the ten tribes. I will give his son one tribe so that David My servant may have a kingdom before Me in Jerusalem, the city which I chose for Myself to place My name there. I shall take you, and you shall rule over all that your soul desires, and you shall be king over Israel. Now, if you listen to all my commands and remain righteous in My eyes as did David My servant, then I shall be with you and build for you and everlasting dynasty as I have built for David My servant, and I shall give Israel to you. And I shall afflict David’s descendants because of this, but not forever [as in the times of the Messiah, David’s monarchy will be reestablished[5]].”
[1] Metzudos Dovid and Radak 11:26
[2] Rashi 11:26
[3] Rashi 11:27
[4] See Radak 11:29
[5] Rashi 11:39
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