◄ 1 Kings 14:1 ►
At that time Abijah son of Jeroboam became ill,
Study Bible
At that time
This phrase situates the events within a specific historical context. The period referred to is during the reign of Jeroboam, the first king of the northern kingdom of Israel after the division of the united monarchy. Historically, this was a tumultuous time marked by political instability and religious apostasy. The phrase underscores the divine orchestration of events, reminding us that God’s timing is perfect and purposeful, even amidst human rebellion.

Abijah
The name Abijah means "Yahweh is my Father" in Hebrew. This is significant because it reflects a heritage of faith, despite Jeroboam's departure from true worship. Abijah's name serves as a poignant reminder of the covenant relationship between God and His people, highlighting the tension between divine promise and human failure. It invites reflection on the importance of maintaining faithfulness to God’s covenant, regardless of familial or societal pressures.

son of Jeroboam
Jeroboam was the first king of the northern kingdom of Israel, known for leading Israel into idolatry by setting up golden calves in Bethel and Dan. The mention of Abijah as his son emphasizes the generational impact of Jeroboam's choices. It serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of turning away from God, not only for oneself but also for one's descendants. This phrase challenges believers to consider the legacy of faith they are leaving for future generations.

became ill
The illness of Abijah is not merely a physical ailment but is laden with spiritual and theological implications. In the ancient Near Eastern context, illness was often seen as a sign of divine displeasure or judgment. This phrase invites readers to ponder the relationship between sin, suffering, and divine sovereignty. It serves as a reminder of the need for repentance and the hope of restoration through God’s mercy. The illness of Abijah becomes a catalyst for the unfolding of God’s purposes, demonstrating that even in suffering, God is at work to bring about His redemptive plan.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Abijah
The son of Jeroboam, the first king of the northern kingdom of Israel after the division of the united monarchy. His illness sets the stage for the events that follow in this chapter.

2. Jeroboam
The first king of the northern kingdom of Israel, known for leading Israel into idolatry. His reign is marked by a departure from the worship of Yahweh, which has significant consequences for his family and the nation.

3. Israel
The northern kingdom, distinct from Judah in the south. Under Jeroboam's rule, Israel experiences political and spiritual turmoil.

4. Illness
The event of Abijah's illness is significant as it prompts Jeroboam to seek prophetic insight, revealing his continued reliance on God’s prophets despite his idolatrous practices.
Teaching Points
The Consequences of Disobedience
Jeroboam's failure to follow God's commands leads to personal and national consequences. This serves as a reminder of the importance of obedience to God's word.

The Role of Prophets
Despite Jeroboam's idolatry, he still seeks a prophet's insight, highlighting the enduring role of God's messengers in guiding and warning His people.

Parental Responsibility
Jeroboam's actions have direct implications for his son, Abijah. This underscores the impact of parental choices on their children’s spiritual and physical well-being.

God's Sovereignty
Even in the midst of disobedience, God remains in control, using circumstances to fulfill His purposes and bring about His will.

Seeking God in Crisis
The illness of Abijah prompts a search for divine insight, illustrating the human tendency to turn to God in times of trouble, and the importance of maintaining a consistent relationship with Him.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Jeroboam's leadership style and decisions impact his family and the nation of Israel? Reflect on the consequences of leadership choices in your own life.

2. In what ways do we see the fulfillment of God's warnings to Jeroboam in the events of 1 Kings 14? How can we apply the lessons of heeding God's warnings in our own lives?

3. How does the illness of Abijah serve as a catalyst for Jeroboam's actions? What does this teach us about seeking God in times of crisis?

4. Compare Jeroboam's response to his son's illness with other biblical figures who faced family crises. What can we learn from their responses?

5. How can we ensure that our actions and decisions align with God's will, especially when they have the potential to affect others around us? Reflect on scriptures that guide us in making godly decisions.
Connections to Other Scriptures
1 Kings 11:29-31
This passage describes the prophecy given to Jeroboam by Ahijah the prophet, foretelling his rise to power. It sets the context for Jeroboam's reign and the divine expectations he failed to meet.

1 Kings 12:26-33
Details Jeroboam's establishment of idol worship in Israel, which is a direct violation of God's commandments and sets the stage for the judgment on his house.

2 Chronicles 13:20
Chronicles the eventual downfall of Jeroboam's house, fulfilling the prophetic warnings given due to his disobedience.
Sermons
The Impenitent SeekerJ.A. Macdonald 1 Kings 14:1-3
A Good Boy and a Bad FamilyA. McAuslane, D. D.1 Kings 14:1-18
Affliction and JudgmentJ. Urquhart 1 Kings 14:1-20
People
Abijah, Abijam, Ahijah, David, Israelites, Jeroboam, Naamah, Nadab, Rehoboam, Shishak, Sodomites, Solomon, Tirzah
Places
Bethel, Egypt, Euphrates River, Jerusalem, Shiloh, Tirzah
Topics
Abijah, Abi'jah, Fell, Ill, Jeroboam, Jerobo'am, Sick
Dictionary of Bible Themes
1 Kings 14:1-3

     4404   food

1 Kings 14:1-6

     5837   disguise
     5920   pretence

Library
Synopsis. --The Gradual Narrowing of the Miraculous Element in the Bible by Recent Discovery and Discussion. --The Alarm Thereby Excited in the Church. --The Fallacy Which
It is barely forty years since that beloved and fearless Christian scholar, Dean Stanley, spoke thus of the miracles recorded of the prophet Elisha: "His works stand alone in the Bible in their likeness to the acts of mediaeval saints. There alone in the Sacred History the gulf between Biblical and Ecclesiastical miracles almost disappears."[5] It required some courage to say as much as this then, while the storm of persecution was raging against Bishop Colenso for his critical work on the Pentateuch. …
James Morris Whiton—Miracles and Supernatural Religion

Jeroboam
BY REV. ALFRED ROWLAND, D.D., LL.B. "Jeroboam, who did sin, and who made Israel to sin."--1 KINGS xiv. 16. Jeroboam's character is worthy of serious study, not only because it influenced the destiny of God's ancient people, but because it suggests lessons of the utmost value to His people still. He may be fairly regarded as a type of those who are successful men of the world. He was not an example of piety, for he had none--nor of lofty principle, for he was an opportunist who made expediency …
George Milligan—Men of the Bible; Some Lesser-Known

Whether Contention is a Mortal Sin?
Objection 1: It would seem that contention is not a mortal sin. For there is no mortal sin in spiritual men: and yet contention is to be found in them, according to Lk. 22:24: "And there was also a strife amongst" the disciples of Jesus, "which of them should . . . be the greatest." Therefore contention is not a mortal sin. Objection 2: Further, no well disposed man should be pleased that his neighbor commit a mortal sin. But the Apostle says (Phil. 1:17): "Some out of contention preach Christ," …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Whether Divination by Drawing Lots is Unlawful?
Objection 1: It would seem that divination by drawing lots is not unlawful, because a gloss of Augustine on Ps. 30:16, "My lots are in Thy hands," says: "It is not wrong to cast lots, for it is a means of ascertaining the divine will when a man is in doubt." Objection 2: There is, seemingly, nothing unlawful in the observances which the Scriptures relate as being practiced by holy men. Now both in the Old and in the New Testament we find holy men practicing the casting of lots. For it is related …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

The Whole Heart
LET me give the principal passages in which the words "the whole heart," "all the heart," are used. A careful study of them will show how wholehearted love and service is what God has always asked, because He can, in the very nature of things, ask nothing less. The prayerful and believing acceptance of the words will waken the assurance that such wholehearted love and service is exactly the blessing the New Covenant was meant to make possible. That assurance will prepare us for turning to the Omnipotence …
Andrew Murray—The Two Covenants

Sovereignty and Human Responsibility
"So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God" (Rom. 14:12). In our last chapter we considered at some length the much debated and difficult question of the human will. We have shown that the will of the natural man is neither Sovereign nor free but, instead, a servant and slave. We have argued that a right conception of the sinner's will-its servitude-is essential to a just estimate of his depravity and ruin. The utter corruption and degradation of human nature is something which …
Arthur W. Pink—The Sovereignty of God

The Prophet Joel.
PRELIMINARY REMARKS. The position which has been assigned to Joel in the collection of the Minor Prophets, furnishes an external argument for the determination of the time at which Joel wrote. There cannot be any doubt that the Collectors were guided by a consideration of the chronology. The circumstance, that they placed the prophecies of Joel just between the two prophets who, according to the inscriptions and contents of their prophecies, belonged to the time of Jeroboam and Uzziah, is …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

Kings
The book[1] of Kings is strikingly unlike any modern historical narrative. Its comparative brevity, its curious perspective, and-with some brilliant exceptions--its relative monotony, are obvious to the most cursory perusal, and to understand these things is, in large measure, to understand the book. It covers a period of no less than four centuries. Beginning with the death of David and the accession of Solomon (1 Kings i., ii.) it traverses his reign with considerable fulness (1 Kings iii.-xi.), …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

Links
1 Kings 14:1 NIV
1 Kings 14:1 NLT
1 Kings 14:1 ESV
1 Kings 14:1 NASB
1 Kings 14:1 KJV

1 Kings 14:1 Commentaries

Bible Hub
1 Kings 13:34
Top of Page
Top of Page