1 Kings 14:10
Because of all this, behold, I am bringing disaster on the house of Jeroboam: I will cut off from Jeroboam every male, both slave and free, in Israel; I will burn up the house of Jeroboam as one burns up dung until it is gone!
Because of all this
This phrase sets the stage for divine judgment, indicating that the actions of Jeroboam have reached a tipping point. In the Hebrew context, the phrase suggests a culmination of sins, particularly idolatry and leading Israel astray. Jeroboam's establishment of golden calves in Bethel and Dan (1 Kings 12:28-30) was a direct violation of the first commandment, and this phrase underscores the seriousness of his transgressions.

I am about to bring disaster
The Hebrew word for "disaster" is "רָעָה" (ra'ah), which conveys not just calamity but a divinely ordained judgment. This is not a random act of misfortune but a purposeful act of God in response to sin. The prophetic nature of this statement highlights God's sovereignty and justice, reminding believers that God is actively involved in the affairs of nations and individuals.

on the house of Jeroboam
The "house of Jeroboam" refers to his dynasty or lineage. In ancient Near Eastern culture, a king's house was not just his immediate family but his entire dynasty. The judgment against Jeroboam's house signifies the end of his family's rule over Israel, emphasizing the biblical principle that leadership comes with accountability to God.

I will cut off from Jeroboam every male
The phrase "cut off" (Hebrew: "כָּרַת" - karat) is a strong term often used in covenantal contexts to denote complete removal or destruction. The specific mention of "every male" (literally "one who urinates against a wall") is a graphic expression used in the Hebrew Bible to denote the total eradication of a male line, ensuring that no descendants would continue Jeroboam's legacy.

both slave and free in Israel
This phrase indicates the totality of the judgment. It emphasizes that God's judgment is impartial and comprehensive, affecting all social strata. The inclusion of both "slave and free" underscores the seriousness of Jeroboam's sin and the thoroughness of God's justice, as no one associated with his house would be spared.

I will burn up the house of Jeroboam
The imagery of burning is often associated with purification and judgment in the Bible. The Hebrew word "שָׂרַף" (saraph) means to consume by fire, symbolizing the complete destruction of Jeroboam's lineage. This act serves as a warning to future generations about the consequences of turning away from God.

as one burns up dung
This simile is particularly vivid and degrading, emphasizing the utter contempt and rejection of Jeroboam's house. In ancient Israel, dung was considered unclean and worthless, and its burning was a means of disposal. This comparison highlights the severity of Jeroboam's sin and the totality of God's judgment.

until it is gone
The finality of this phrase underscores the completeness of the judgment. The Hebrew word "כָּלָה" (kalah) means to be finished or completed. This assures that the eradication of Jeroboam's house will be thorough and irreversible, serving as a sobering reminder of the consequences of disobedience to God.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jeroboam
The first king of the northern kingdom of Israel after the division of the united monarchy. He led Israel into idolatry, which provoked God's judgment.

2. Ahijah the Prophet
A prophet who delivered God's message of judgment to Jeroboam. He had previously foretold Jeroboam's rise to power.

3. The House of Jeroboam
Refers to Jeroboam's dynasty or family line, which God declared would be destroyed due to their sins.

4. Israel
The northern kingdom, consisting of ten tribes, over which Jeroboam ruled. It became a center of idolatry under his reign.

5. Disaster and Judgment
The event of divine retribution that God declared would come upon Jeroboam's house due to their idolatry and disobedience.
Teaching Points
The Consequences of Idolatry
Jeroboam's account is a stark reminder of the severe consequences of leading others into idolatry and turning away from God.

The Certainty of God's Word
God's pronouncements through His prophets are sure and will come to pass, emphasizing the importance of heeding His warnings.

Leadership Accountability
Leaders are held to a high standard and are accountable for their influence on others, especially in spiritual matters.

The Importance of Obedience
God's blessings and promises are often conditional upon obedience, as seen in the contrast between Jeroboam's initial promise and his eventual downfall.

Repentance and Restoration
While this passage focuses on judgment, it also serves as a call to repentance, reminding us that God desires restoration for those who turn back to Him.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Jeroboam's account illustrate the dangers of idolatry, and what modern forms of idolatry might we need to guard against today?

2. In what ways does the certainty of God's word, as seen in the fulfillment of prophecy, impact your faith and trust in His promises?

3. How can leaders today ensure they are leading others toward God rather than away from Him, and what steps can you take to influence others positively?

4. Reflect on a time when you experienced the consequences of disobedience. How did that experience shape your understanding of God's expectations?

5. Considering the theme of repentance, how can you apply this principle in your life to restore your relationship with God when you have strayed?
Connections to Other Scriptures
1 Kings 11:29-39
This passage describes Ahijah's prophecy to Jeroboam about becoming king, highlighting the conditional nature of God's promises based on obedience.

1 Kings 15:29-30
This passage records the fulfillment of the prophecy against Jeroboam's house, showing the certainty of God's word.

Deuteronomy 28:15-68
These verses outline the curses for disobedience to God's covenant, providing a backdrop for understanding the consequences faced by Jeroboam.

2 Kings 9:8
Similar language is used regarding the destruction of Ahab's house, showing a pattern of divine judgment against idolatrous leaders.
A Good Boy and a Bad FamilyA. McAuslane, D. D.1 Kings 14:1-18
Affliction and JudgmentJ. Urquhart 1 Kings 14:1-20
Hard TidingsJ.A. Macdonald 1 Kings 14:7-11
People
Abijah, Abijam, Ahijah, David, Israelites, Jeroboam, Naamah, Nadab, Rehoboam, Shishak, Sodomites, Solomon, Tirzah
Places
Bethel, Egypt, Euphrates River, Jerusalem, Shiloh, Tirzah
Topics
Behold, Bond, Bring, Bringing, Brushed, Brushing, Burn, Burns, Calamity, Child, Clean, Consume, Consumption, Cut, Cutting, Disaster, Dung, Evil, Family, Free, Jeroboam, Jerobo'am, Large, Line, Male, Males, Man-child, Pisseth, Posterity, Putteth, Remnant, Shut, Sitting, Slave, Sweep, Sweepeth, Sweeps, Taketh, Till, Urinates, Utterly, Wall, Waste
Dictionary of Bible Themes
1 Kings 14:10

     4639   dung and manure

1 Kings 14:6-16

     1431   prophecy, OT methods

1 Kings 14:7-13

     1429   prophecy, OT fulfilment

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 14:10 NIV
1 Kings 14:10 NLT
1 Kings 14:10 ESV
1 Kings 14:10 NASB
1 Kings 14:10 KJV

1 Kings 14:10 Commentaries

Bible Hub
1 Kings 14:9
Top of Page
Top of Page