Jeroboam: Worship Innovator

God ordained the political division between Israel and Judah, but God condemned the religious division.

Jeroboam acted in fear because of his unbelief, and he invented new methods for worshipping God. His new measures are continued by the succeeding kings of Israel, all of whom "walked in the sin of Jeroboam."

While some kings of Israel were better than others, with Hoshea, the last king being the best of all, none of them were good kings.

God expects spiritual unity among his people regardless of their political divisions. Worship is always the chief thing.