previously on the chosen people.

As for you, if you walk before me faithfully with integrity of heart and uprightness

as your father David did, and if you keep my commands and observe my laws,

I will establish your royal throne over Israel forever.

But if you or your descendants turn away from me and do not observe my commands,

if you serve other gods and worship them,

Israel will become an object of scorn and ridicule among all the peoples.

Lord Highness, I am Jeroboam, son of Nabat of the tribe of Ephraim. I hail from Sarada.

And I am overseeing a restoration project here in the palace of your father, King David.

Jeroboam was once enthusiastic about his assignment to fortify the city of Magidou,

but his new role in the north had lost its luster.

The northern tribes were reaching their limit of what they would tolerate from their rich, out of touch,

wise king from the tribe of Judah. To them,

Solomon was more obsessed with adding to the grandeur of his legacy in the South than he was

with building the entire kingdom. Yes, Solomon had made Israel prosperous, but he also conscripted men from every tribe,

pulling them away from their cities and families.

It wasn't technically slavery, but it was dangerously close to becoming so.

This is what the Lord God of Israel says.

I'm about to tear the kingdom out of Solomon's hand.

I'll give you ten tribes, but Judah and Benjamin will remain his.

For the sake of my servant David, and for the sake of Jerusalem, the city I chose out of all the tribes of Israel.

For they have abandoned me. They have bowed down

...