Jeroboam's Son and the Prophet Ahijah
[ READ ] 1 Kings 14:1–20
Prophecy Against Jeroboam
1 At that time Abijah the son of Jeroboam fell sick. 2 And Jeroboam said to his wife, “Arise, and disguise yourself, that it not be known that you are the wife of Jeroboam, and go to Shiloh. Behold, Ahijah the prophet is there, who said of me that I should be king over this people. 3 Take with you ten loaves, some cakes, and a jar of honey, and go to him. He will tell you what shall happen to the child.”
4 Jeroboam's wife did so. She arose and went to Shiloh and came to the house of Ahijah. Now Ahijah could not see, for his eyes were dim because of his age. 5 And the Lord said to Ahijah, “Behold, the wife of Jeroboam is coming to inquire of you concerning her son, for he is sick. Thus and thus shall you say to her.”
When she came, she pretended to be another woman. 6 But when Ahijah heard the sound of her feet, as she came in at the door, he said, “Come in, wife of Jeroboam. Why do you pretend to be another? For I am charged with unbearable news for you. 7 Go, tell Jeroboam, ‘Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: “Because I exalted you from among the people and made you leader over my people Israel 8 and tore the kingdom away from the house of David and gave it to you, and yet you have not been like my servant David, who kept my commandments and followed me with all his heart, doing only that which was right in my eyes, 9 but you have done evil above all who were before you and have gone and made for yourself other gods and metal images, provoking me to anger, and have cast me behind your back, 10 therefore behold, I will bring harm upon the house of Jeroboam and will cut off from Jeroboam every male, both bond and free in Israel, and will burn up the house of Jeroboam, as a man burns up dung until it is all gone. 11 Anyone belonging to Jeroboam who dies in the city the dogs shall eat, and anyone who dies in the open country the birds of the heavens shall eat, for the Lord has spoken it.”’ 12 Arise therefore, go to your house. When your feet enter the city, the child shall die. 13 And all Israel shall mourn for him and bury him, for he only of Jeroboam shall come to the grave, because in him there is found something pleasing to the Lord, the God of Israel, in the house of Jeroboam. 14 Moreover, the Lord will raise up for himself a king over Israel who shall cut off the house of Jeroboam today. And henceforth, 15 the Lord will strike Israel as a reed is shaken in the water, and root up Israel out of this good land that he gave to their fathers and scatter them beyond the Euphrates, because they have made their Asherim, provoking the Lord to anger. 16 And he will give Israel up because of the sins of Jeroboam, which he sinned and made Israel to sin.”
17 Then Jeroboam's wife arose and departed and came to Tirzah. And as she came to the threshold of the house, the child died. 18 And all Israel buried him and mourned for him, according to the word of the Lord, which he spoke by his servant Ahijah the prophet.
The Death of Jeroboam
19 Now the rest of the acts of Jeroboam, how he warred and how he reigned, behold, they are written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel. 20 And the time that Jeroboam reigned was twenty-two years. And he slept with his fathers, and Nadab his son reigned in his place.
1 At that time Abijah the son of Jeroboam fell sick. 2 And Jeroboam said to his wife, “Arise, and disguise yourself, that it not be known that you are the wife of Jeroboam, and go to Shiloh. Behold, Ahijah the prophet is there, who said of me that I should be king over this people. 3 Take with you ten loaves, some cakes, and a jar of honey, and go to him. He will tell you what shall happen to the child.”
4 Jeroboam's wife did so. She arose and went to Shiloh and came to the house of Ahijah. Now Ahijah could not see, for his eyes were dim because of his age. 5 And the Lord said to Ahijah, “Behold, the wife of Jeroboam is coming to inquire of you concerning her son, for he is sick. Thus and thus shall you say to her.”
When she came, she pretended to be another woman. 6 But when Ahijah heard the sound of her feet, as she came in at the door, he said, “Come in, wife of Jeroboam. Why do you pretend to be another? For I am charged with unbearable news for you. 7 Go, tell Jeroboam, ‘Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: “Because I exalted you from among the people and made you leader over my people Israel 8 and tore the kingdom away from the house of David and gave it to you, and yet you have not been like my servant David, who kept my commandments and followed me with all his heart, doing only that which was right in my eyes, 9 but you have done evil above all who were before you and have gone and made for yourself other gods and metal images, provoking me to anger, and have cast me behind your back, 10 therefore behold, I will bring harm upon the house of Jeroboam and will cut off from Jeroboam every male, both bond and free in Israel, and will burn up the house of Jeroboam, as a man burns up dung until it is all gone. 11 Anyone belonging to Jeroboam who dies in the city the dogs shall eat, and anyone who dies in the open country the birds of the heavens shall eat, for the Lord has spoken it.”’ 12 Arise therefore, go to your house. When your feet enter the city, the child shall die. 13 And all Israel shall mourn for him and bury him, for he only of Jeroboam shall come to the grave, because in him there is found something pleasing to the Lord, the God of Israel, in the house of Jeroboam. 14 Moreover, the Lord will raise up for himself a king over Israel who shall cut off the house of Jeroboam today. And henceforth, 15 the Lord will strike Israel as a reed is shaken in the water, and root up Israel out of this good land that he gave to their fathers and scatter them beyond the Euphrates, because they have made their Asherim, provoking the Lord to anger. 16 And he will give Israel up because of the sins of Jeroboam, which he sinned and made Israel to sin.”
17 Then Jeroboam's wife arose and departed and came to Tirzah. And as she came to the threshold of the house, the child died. 18 And all Israel buried him and mourned for him, according to the word of the Lord, which he spoke by his servant Ahijah the prophet.
The Death of Jeroboam
19 Now the rest of the acts of Jeroboam, how he warred and how he reigned, behold, they are written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel. 20 And the time that Jeroboam reigned was twenty-two years. And he slept with his fathers, and Nadab his son reigned in his place.
Today's reading in 1 Kings 14:1–20 is one of the saddest stories in the long and often tragic history of the Israelites. Jeroboam began as an industrious young servant who caught the attention of King Solomon because of his hard work and ability.
Then, through the prophet Ahijah, God revealed that the kingdom would be divided because of Solomon's disobedience and idolatry. Ahijah tore his new garment into twelve pieces and gave ten to Jeroboam, symbolizing the ten tribes that would come under his rule. What an extraordinary beginning!
Here was a young man given an incredible opportunity to lead God's people. Yet, as we continue reading, we discover how tragically Jeroboam squandered that opportunity.
What does this story mean for us? Where are our idols? Where is our treasure? We may not bow before golden calves, but how often do we place our trust in possessions, recognition, or our own ability to control our lives?
Jeroboam's downfall reminds us how easily the desire for power can replace our dependence upon God. Do we simply profess our faith, or do we wear our faith, allowing others to see Christ in the way we live, love, lead, and serve?
Jeroboam's story is more than an ancient account of a king who lost his way. It is a cautionary tale to examine our own hearts and ask ourselves whether God remains at the center of our lives.
- Eileen Dowd
Then, through the prophet Ahijah, God revealed that the kingdom would be divided because of Solomon's disobedience and idolatry. Ahijah tore his new garment into twelve pieces and gave ten to Jeroboam, symbolizing the ten tribes that would come under his rule. What an extraordinary beginning!
Here was a young man given an incredible opportunity to lead God's people. Yet, as we continue reading, we discover how tragically Jeroboam squandered that opportunity.
What does this story mean for us? Where are our idols? Where is our treasure? We may not bow before golden calves, but how often do we place our trust in possessions, recognition, or our own ability to control our lives?
Jeroboam's downfall reminds us how easily the desire for power can replace our dependence upon God. Do we simply profess our faith, or do we wear our faith, allowing others to see Christ in the way we live, love, lead, and serve?
Jeroboam's story is more than an ancient account of a king who lost his way. It is a cautionary tale to examine our own hearts and ask ourselves whether God remains at the center of our lives.
- Eileen Dowd
[ EXAMINE ] the passage. At this point, answer some questions about the meaning of the text. Take time to reflect.
+ Are we Christians in name only, or are we Christians whose lives genuinely reflect Jesus Christ?
+ Take time to discuss with your community group or the Women of Hope or Men of Hope ways you can live out your Christian faith and values, i.e, at home, in the marketplace, etc.
+ Are we Christians in name only, or are we Christians whose lives genuinely reflect Jesus Christ?
+ Take time to discuss with your community group or the Women of Hope or Men of Hope ways you can live out your Christian faith and values, i.e, at home, in the marketplace, etc.
[ APPLY ] the passage to your own life.
+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?
+ Many of our church family members have been reading Randy Alcorn’s The Treasure Principle. It has us thinking how we look at our possessions. Do we give God the glory for what He has given us?
+ Please spend some time looking at where you can honor God through your acts of service, etc.
+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?
+ Many of our church family members have been reading Randy Alcorn’s The Treasure Principle. It has us thinking how we look at our possessions. Do we give God the glory for what He has given us?
+ Please spend some time looking at where you can honor God through your acts of service, etc.
[ PRAY ] through the passage and your application, and ask God to change your heart and your life.
+ Pray with me:
Heavenly Father, please teach me to walk in your ways and not my own. If I am given an honor, let me be bold to share that what I have been given is from you. May I serve you with joy and humility all the days of my life. In your precious name, Jesus, amen.
+ Pray with me:
Heavenly Father, please teach me to walk in your ways and not my own. If I am given an honor, let me be bold to share that what I have been given is from you. May I serve you with joy and humility all the days of my life. In your precious name, Jesus, amen.
[ SHARE ] what God is teaching you with at least one person: your roommate,
your spouse, your kids, or your coworkers. Don’t keep what God taught you to
yourself.
(e.g., your family around the dinner table, a friend, co-worker or neighbor- for help join a community group at downtownhope.org/community-groups)
yourself:
+ Talk today’s message over with someone who is discipling you, and someone you are discipling.
your spouse, your kids, or your coworkers. Don’t keep what God taught you to
yourself.
(e.g., your family around the dinner table, a friend, co-worker or neighbor- for help join a community group at downtownhope.org/community-groups)
yourself:
+ Talk today’s message over with someone who is discipling you, and someone you are discipling.
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