1 Kings 11:26
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. 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.
The verse identifies Jeroboam the son of Nebat as Solomon's servant, later called his former servant, who lifted up his hand against the king. He was an Ephrathite of Zereda, the son of the widow woman Zeruah. Before that opposition Solomon had noticed him as a young man of intelligence, industry and valor, placed responsibilities upon him and advanced him at different times. That advancement made him ruler over all the charge of the house of Joseph in connection with building Millo and repairing the breaches of the city of David.
His years of faithful service gave him knowledge, aptitude and sound judgment. He was a strong and able man raised up in opposition to Solomon, standing alongside Hadad the Edomite and Rezon of Syria. His lifting of his hand against the king made him an adversary during Solomon's reign, part of the adversity and God-permitted judgments that harassed and weakened the kingdom after Solomon turned from God and disobeyed His commands. In this pressure God had removed His protecting care from Solomon, not because He had forsaken him, but to reprove him by severe judgments and to arouse him to realize the sinfulness of his course.
After rebelling against the house of David, the ten tribes later placed Jeroboam on the throne. That gave him opportunity to make wise civil and religious reforms, but he failed to trust God.