This gets confusing, because the original Jeroboam was the first king of Israel who rebelled against Solomon and Rehoboam (1 Kings 11-12).  His namesake followed his example in disobeying the Lord.   Nevertheless,  he reigned over 40 years, and was a strong king who reversed the political (but not religious) decline of Israel.  During his reign, Israel expanded north against Aram, and south against Ammon and Moab (2 Kings 14:25).  This is the only reference to the prophet Jonah in the Old Testament, outside of his own book.  We do not possess the prophetic words of Jonah concerning the restoration of Israel's boundaries.  

       

Despite Jeroboam's unfaithfulness to God, the Bible says that he was God's instrument to deliver Israel from their suffering at the hands of their enemies (2 Kings 14:26-27).

       

After the death of Jeroboam, there was a period of instability and rivalry for the kingship.  Jehu's descendants were removed from power.  Menahem was the next ruler who established himself.   He ruled 10 years, and like his predecessors, he was an evil king (2 Kings 15:17-18).   It is during his reign that we first hear of the Assyrians.  Tiglath-Pileser invaded Israel and had to be bought off (2 Kings 15:19).  At this time (740s BC), Assyria marched westward, gaining tribute from Aram and the Phoenician cities on the Mediterranean coast, as well as Israel.