Jeroboam Increase of the people. (1.) The son of Nebat (Kg1 11:26), "an Ephrathite," the first king of the ten tribes, over whom he reigned twenty-two years (976-945 B.C.). He was the son of a widow of Zereda, and while still young was promoted by Solomon to be chief superintendent of the "burden", i.e., of the bands of forced labourers.