Jeroboam arose as a consequence of Solomon’s sin. The king had turned his heart away from God. His love of women had stolen his loyalty to God. As a result, God raised up enemies to plague the prodigal monarch. Jeroboam had been the chief overseer of the king’s labor for the tribe of Joseph. The northern tribes had felt exploited by the king’s extensive construction projects. Under Solomon’s son Rehoboam, they would ultimately rebel and the nation of Israel would be torn asunder.
Solomon’s response to God’s discipline was to attempt to kill his enemies! God had sent this discipline, but rather than yielding to it and repenting of his sin, Solomon attempted to eliminate God’s tool of punishment. Of course this was futile. What God intends cannot be stopped. The divine consequences for our sin are unavoidable. Better to humbly accept God’s word and face our consequences, than to fight back and resist God’s redemptive activity in our lives.
If God has brought you through a difficult season of life, let Him explain to you what His purposes are. If it is a consequence of your sinful leadership, then accept God’s word on the matter and immediately repent and make adjustments in your life and leadership. God’s judgment will not go away, regardless of how vehemently you resist it.