Definition: 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.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 1 Kings 11:26. It’s a really significant and dramatic passage in the Bible that speaks about conflict and leadership. Here's what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Story: This verse describes a situation where Solomon was working with him, and then he became defiant – almost like he was fighting against the King. It happened after the construction of the Temple in Jerusalem. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “And Jeroboam the son of Nebat…” : This refers to a man named Jeroboam, who was a servant of Solomon. He was from the Ephrathite tribe of Zereda – think of Ephrathas as a small, important town in Israel. “…an Ephrathite of Zereda…” : This tells us where he came from - a specific town called Zereda, located near Jerusalem. “Solomon’s servant, whose mother’s name [was] Zeruah, a widow woman…” : This is the key part! Solomon had hired Jeroboam to help him with tasks. His mother's name was Zeruah. The fact that she was a widow means she had lost her husband. “even he lifted up [his] hand against the king.” : This is where it gets really important. Jeroboam, in his defiance, raised his hand – meaning he challenged Solomon’s authority and power. It suggests he was resisting Solomon's decisions or commands. What does this all mean? This verse highlights a major point about the beginning of the conflict between David and Solomon: Jeroboam’s rebellion. It shows that Solomon wasn’t just accepting everything, but he was also starting to push back against his own authority and the established order. Important Context: The Temple: The story is set during the construction of the First Temple in Jerusalem. It was a huge undertaking, and tensions were already rising between David and Solomon. Jeroboam’s Plan: Jeroboam eventually decided to create his own altar and worship God separately from the people, which led to further division and conflict. In short, this verse shows a pivotal moment – a challenge to Solomon's rule that ultimately set the stage for the larger story of Israel’s history. --- Do you want me to: Explain any of these points in more detail? Connect this verse to another part of the Bible? Give you a little background on the historical context?