and Jeroboam said to his wife, "Now get up, disguise yourself so they will not recognize you as my wife, and go to Shiloh. For Ahijah the prophet is there; it was he who spoke about my kingship over this people. and Jeroboam said to his wife,Jeroboam, the first king of the northern kingdom after Israel divided, faced the illness of his son Abijah with fear and desperation. Although Jeroboam had led Israel into idolatry, he still knew that the God of Israel spoke through Ahijah. His unnamed wife was sent on a private mission, revealing the personal anguish behind the king’s public rebellion. 1Ki 21:7 But his wife Jezebel said to him, “Do you not reign… “Now get up, disguise yourself so they will not recognize you as my wife, Jeroboam sought divine help while concealing his connection to the throne. The disguise exposed his awareness that his reign and religious policies had brought guilt rather than confidence before God. Instead of humbling himself openly, he attempted to approach the prophet through secrecy and deception. 1Ki 22:30 And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat,… and go to Shiloh. Shiloh had been Israel’s central place of worship during the period of the judges, when the tabernacle and ark had rested there. Though the ark had long since departed, Shiloh remained associated with God’s earlier dealings with Israel. Jeroboam turned toward the place connected with Israel’s spiritual history while continuing to reject the worship God had appointed in Jerusalem. 1Sa 1:3 Year after year Elkanah would go up from his city… For Ahijah the prophet is there; Ahijah had announced that God would give ten tribes to Jeroboam because of Solomon’s unfaithfulness. The aged prophet remained God’s messenger, able to declare the Lord’s judgment even when kings resisted it. Jeroboam’s decision to seek Ahijah showed that he recognized the prophet’s authority. 1Ki 11:29-30 During that time, the prophet Ahijah the Shilonite met… it was he who spoke about my kingship over this people. Ahijah had torn a garment into twelve pieces and given ten pieces to Jeroboam, foretelling the division of the kingdom and Jeroboam’s rule over Israel. Jeroboam remembered the promise that had raised him to power, yet he had not obeyed the God who gave him the kingdom. The coming word from Ahijah would show that divine privilege carries divine accountability. 1Ki 12:15 So the king did not listen to the people, … Persons / Places / Events 1. JeroboamThe first king of the northern kingdom of Israel after the division of the united monarchy. He is known for leading Israel into idolatry. 2. Jeroboam's Wife Although unnamed in this passage, she plays a crucial role in seeking divine insight from the prophet Ahijah on behalf of her husband. 3. Ahijah the Prophet A prophet from Shiloh who previously prophesied that Jeroboam would become king. He is known for his role in communicating God's messages to Jeroboam. 4. Shiloh An ancient city in Israel, significant as a religious center before the construction of the temple in Jerusalem. It is where Ahijah resides. 5. Disguise Jeroboam instructs his wife to disguise herself, indicating a lack of trust and fear of being recognized, which reflects his spiritual and moral state. Teaching Points The Consequences of DisobedienceJeroboam's actions reflect a heart turned away from God, leading to fear and deception. Disobedience to God's commands often results in a lack of peace and trust. The Role of Prophets Prophets like Ahijah serve as God's messengers, providing guidance and warnings. We should seek God's word and wisdom through Scripture and prayer. The Danger of Hypocrisy Jeroboam's use of disguise highlights the danger of hypocrisy. As Christians, we are called to live authentically, aligning our actions with our faith. Seeking God in Times of Trouble Instead of resorting to deception, we should approach God with honesty and humility, trusting in His guidance and provision. The Importance of Spiritual Leadership Jeroboam's failure as a leader underscores the need for leaders to be spiritually grounded and obedient to God's will. Bible Study Questions 1. What does Jeroboam's decision to disguise his wife reveal about his relationship with God and his understanding of God's omniscience?2. How does the role of Ahijah the prophet in this passage compare to the role of prophets in the New Testament? 3. In what ways can we ensure that our actions align with our faith, avoiding the hypocrisy seen in Jeroboam's actions? 4. How can we seek God's guidance in our lives today, and what role does Scripture play in that process? 5. Reflect on a time when you faced a difficult decision. How did your faith influence your actions, and what can you learn from Jeroboam's example? Connections to Other Scriptures 1 Kings 11:29-31This passage describes Ahijah's initial prophecy to Jeroboam, foretelling his rise to kingship. It provides context for why Jeroboam seeks Ahijah's counsel again. 1 Samuel 28:8 Similar to Jeroboam's wife disguising herself, King Saul disguises himself to seek counsel from the witch of Endor, highlighting a pattern of leaders seeking guidance through deception. Matthew 23:27-28 Jesus condemns the Pharisees for their hypocrisy, which parallels Jeroboam's deceptive actions, emphasizing the importance of integrity.
People Abijah, Abijam, Ahijah, David, Israelites, Jeroboam, Naamah, Nadab, Rehoboam, Shishak, Sodomites, Solomon, TirzahPlaces Bethel, Egypt, Euphrates River, Jerusalem, Shiloh, TirzahTopics Ahijah, Ahi'jah, Arise, Behold, Change, Clothing, Different, Disguise, Hast, Jeroboam, Jerobo'am, Mayest, Please, Prophet, Recognized, Rise, Seem, Shiloh, Spake, Spoke, Thyself, Wife, Won'tDictionary of Bible Themes 1 Kings 14:1-3Library 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 WhichIt 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 Whether Contention is a Mortal Sin? Whether Divination by Drawing Lots is Unlawful? The Whole Heart Sovereignty and Human Responsibility The Prophet Joel. Kings Links 1 Kings 14:2 NIV1 Kings 14:2 NLT 1 Kings 14:2 ESV 1 Kings 14:2 NASB 1 Kings 14:2 KJV 1 Kings 14:2 Commentaries Bible Hub |
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