Now the manJeroboamwas a valiantwarrior,and when Solomonsawthat the youngmanwas industrious,he appointedhim over allthe forcedlaborof the houseof Joseph.
"The landof Egyptis at your disposal;settleyour fatherand your brothersin the bestof the land,let them livein the landof Goshen;and ifyou knowanycapablemenamong them, then putthem in chargeof my livestock."
"For your servantknowsthat I have sinned;therefore behold,I have cometoday,the firstof allthe houseof Josephto godownto meetmy lordthe king."
Then Jeroboamthe sonof Nebat,an Ephraimiteof Zeredah,Solomon'sservant,whose mother'snamewas Zeruah,a widow,also rebelledagainst the king.
"Go,sayto Jeroboam,'Thussaysthe LORDGodof Israel,"BecauseI exaltedyou from amongthe peopleand madeyou leaderoverMy peopleIsrael,
besidesSolomon's3300chiefdeputieswho[were] overthe project[and] who ruledover the peoplewho were doingthe work.
Do you seea manskilledin his work?He will standbeforekings;He will not standbeforeobscuremen.
to breakAssyriain My land,and I will tramplehim on My mountains.Then his yokewill be removedfrom them and his burdenremovedfrom their shoulder.
"Seekthe LORDthat you may live,OrHe will breakforthlike a fire,O houseof Joseph,And it will consumewith noneto quench[it] for Bethel,
"I will strengthenthe houseof Judah,And I will savethe houseof Joseph,And I will bringthem back,BecauseI havehadcompassionon them; And they will be as thoughI had not rejectedthem, For I am the LORDtheir Godand I will answerthem.
"For My yokeis easyand My burdenis light."
Howcan I alonebearthe loadand burdenof you and your strife?
"They shall divideit into sevenportions;Judahshall stayin its territoryon the south,and the houseof Josephshall stayin their territoryon the north.
