Who was the first king of the northern kingdom of Israel?

Jeroboam was the first king of the northern kingdom of Israel following the division of the united monarchy. After Solomon’s reign, the kingdom split due to various political and social tensions, primarily over heavy taxation and labor demands that had been imposed by Solomon. This led to the ascension of Jeroboam, who had previously been a servant of Solomon. Under his leadership, the northern tribes rejected the rule of Rehoboam, Solomon's son, thereby establishing Jeroboam as a significant figure in biblical history. He is often noted for leading the tribes of Israel into a new political reality separate from Judah, which was ruled by Rehoboam.

In this context, Jeroboam's role as the first king is pivotal as it signifies the beginning of a new era in Israelite history, where the northern kingdom developed its own identity distinct from the southern kingdom of Judah.