Which part of Israel was the first to go into abject idolatry after the division?
After the division, the northern kingdom was the first part of Israel to go into abject idolatry. Under Jeroboam, the northern ten tribes immediately set up idolatrous worship and led the way downward; Judah did not follow until about 150 years later.
Les explains that once the nation divided, the first part to go into abject idolatry was the northern kingdom under Jeroboam. He immediately set up idolatrous worship and led the northern ten tribes into idolatry, so they went down the “banana peel” first. About 150 years later, Judah followed. Les then points to 2 Kings chapter 17, where the northern tribes later fell, around 740 or 750 B.C., after centuries of going down and down.