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.
Ver. 26. And Jeroboam the son of Nebat.] Not of Shimei, whom Solomon slew, as some Rabbis fabled.
An Ephrathite,] i.e., Of the tribe of Ephraim, that arrogant and turbulent tribe, co-rival ever with Judah for the government.
Solomon's servant.] But unthankful and disloyal, such as was Ahithophei to David, Brutus to Caesar, Phocas to Mauritius, Frederick III's courtiers and creatures to him, Biron to Henry IV of France. That king had made him, of a common soldier a captain, of a captain a knight, of a knight duke of Biron, marshal of France, governor of Burgundy, &c.; yet all this and more could not keep him from conspiring the death of his king, queen, and prince, that the kingdom might be transferred to others, and the Huguenots rooted out. a It appeareth that Jeroboam was not only employed by Solomon, but preferred to be ruler over the whole house of Joseph, where he first talked his pleasure against his master, and then acted against him, in his posterity especially. 1Ki 12:12-24
a Epit. Hist. Gallic., 274.