Jeroboam II ירבעם בן יואש
king of Israel for forty-one years; the widest extent of the north
Jeroboam son of Jehoash reigned forty-one years — longer than any king of the north. He restored Israel's borders «from the approach to Hamath to the sea of the Arabah», as spoken through the prophet Jonah son of Amittai, for «the Lord saw the affliction of Israel, that it was very bitter», and there was none to help (2 Kings 14:25–27).
These were the north's most prosperous years — and precisely into them fell the harshest words. Amos, a herdsman of Tekoa, came to Bethel and spoke of those who «sell the righteous for silver and the needy for a pair of sandals», who lie on beds of ivory and drink wine by the bowlful; Hosea said the same through marriage and betrayal. Amaziah, priest of Bethel, demanded that Amos go prophesy in Judah instead. Thirty years after Jeroboam's death the kingdom was gone.
On the timeline
Sources
Tanakh
- Melachim II (2 Kings) 14:23–29 — the forty-one years and the restoration of the borders by the word of Jonah son of Amittai
- Amos 2:6, 6:4–6 — the rebuke of prosperity: the righteous for silver, beds of ivory
- Amos 7:10–13 — the priest of Bethel drives Amos off to prophesy in Judah
Basis: stated in the Tanakh.