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2 Kings 17:21
For he rent Israel from the house of David; and they made Jeroboam the son of Nebat king: and Jeroboam drave Israel from following the Lord, and made them sin a great sin. (2 Kings 17:21)
Drave Israel.
 Rulers wield a strong influence over their subjects. The evils of Israel began with the evils of their first wicked king, Jeroboam. Open religious persecution is implied in 2 Chron. 11:13-16.