Ahijah's
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Ahijah is a significant figure in the Old Testament, known primarily for his role as a prophet during the reigns of Solomon and Jeroboam. His name, meaning "brother of Yahweh" or "Yahweh is my brother," reflects his close association with God and his prophetic mission.

1. Ahijah the Shilonite

Ahijah the Shilonite is perhaps the most well-known of the individuals named Ahijah in the Bible. He is introduced in 1 Kings 11:29-31, where he plays a pivotal role in the division of the united kingdom of Israel. Ahijah, a prophet from Shiloh, encounters Jeroboam, a servant of King Solomon, and delivers a prophetic message that would change the course of Israel's history. In a symbolic act, Ahijah tears a new cloak into twelve pieces, giving ten to Jeroboam, signifying that God would give him rule over ten of the twelve tribes of Israel. This act foreshadows the division of the kingdom after Solomon's death, with Jeroboam becoming the first king of the northern kingdom of Israel.

The prophecy of Ahijah is fulfilled as recorded in 1 Kings 12, when the ten northern tribes secede from the house of David, establishing Jeroboam as their king. Ahijah's prophecy underscores the theme of divine sovereignty and judgment, as God responds to Solomon's idolatry and disobedience by tearing the kingdom from his lineage, albeit leaving one tribe for the sake of David and Jerusalem.

2. Ahijah's Later Prophecies

Ahijah's involvement with Jeroboam continues in 1 Kings 14. As Jeroboam's reign progresses, he leads Israel into idolatry, prompting divine judgment. Jeroboam's wife visits Ahijah in disguise, seeking insight about their ailing son. Despite his blindness due to old age, Ahijah receives a revelation from God and recognizes her. He delivers a harsh prophecy against Jeroboam's house, declaring that disaster will befall his family due to their sins. Ahijah's words come to pass, as recorded in 1 Kings 14:12-16, where the death of Jeroboam's son and the eventual downfall of his dynasty are foretold.

3. Ahijah in the Context of Israel's Prophetic Tradition

Ahijah's role as a prophet is consistent with the broader prophetic tradition in Israel, where prophets served as God's messengers, calling the people and their leaders to faithfulness and warning of consequences for disobedience. His interactions with Jeroboam highlight the tension between divine promises and human failure, a recurring theme in the narrative of Israel's monarchy.

4. Other References to Ahijah

Apart from Ahijah the Shilonite, the Bible mentions other individuals named Ahijah, though they are less prominent. In 1 Samuel 14:3, Ahijah is identified as a priest, the son of Ahitub, and a descendant of Eli. He serves during the reign of King Saul, wearing an ephod, which indicates his priestly role. Another Ahijah is mentioned in 1 Chronicles 2:25 as a descendant of Jerahmeel, and yet another in 1 Chronicles 11:36 as one of David's mighty warriors.

5. Theological Significance

Ahijah's life and prophecies emphasize the importance of obedience to God's covenant and the consequences of idolatry and unfaithfulness. His messages serve as a reminder of God's sovereignty over the nations and His willingness to raise and depose leaders according to His divine purposes. Ahijah's interactions with Jeroboam illustrate the prophetic office's role in guiding, warning, and sometimes rebuking the leaders of Israel, ensuring that the covenant relationship between God and His people remains central to their identity and mission.
Library

The New Garment Bent
... And it came to pass at that time when Jeroboam went out of Jerusalem, that the prophet
Ahijah the Shilonite found him in the way; and he had clad himself with ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the new garment bent.htm

Asa
... His father was Ahijah, of whom it is sternly said, "He walked in all the sins of
his father, Rehoboam, which he had done before him." A worse bringing-up than ...
//christianbookshelf.org/milligan/men of the bible some lesser-known/asa.htm

Concerning the Death of a Son of Jeroboam. How Jeroboam was Beaten ...
... who was called Abijah, he enjoined his wife to lay aside her robes, and to take
the garments belonging to a private person, and to go to Ahijah the prophet ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 11 concerning the death.htm

Thesaurus
Ahijah's (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Ahijah's (2 Occurrences). 1 Kings 14:4 And Jeroboam's
wife did so, and arose, and went to Shiloh, and came to the house of Ahijah. ...
/a/ahijah's.htm - 7k

Ahi'jah (22 Occurrences)
Ahi'jah. Ahijah, Ahi'jah. Ahijah's . Multi-Version Concordance Ahi'jah
(22 Occurrences). 1 Samuel 14:3 and Ahijah, the son of Ahitub ...
/a/ahi'jah.htm - 12k

Ahikam (20 Occurrences)

/a/ahikam.htm - 16k

Israel (27466 Occurrences)
... Israel, Kingdom of. (BC 975-BC 722). Soon after the death of Solomon, Ahijah's prophecy
(1 Kings 11:31-35) was fulfilled, and the kingdom was rent in twain. ...
/i/israel.htm - 101k

Sharp (115 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 14:6 And it cometh to pass, at Ahijah's hearing the sound of her feet 'as'
she came in to the opening, that he saith, 'Come in, wife of Jeroboam, why ...
/s/sharp.htm - 38k

Harsh (20 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 14:6 And it cometh to pass, at Ahijah's hearing the sound of her feet 'as'
she came in to the opening, that he saith, 'Come in, wife of Jeroboam, why ...
/h/harsh.htm - 12k

Resources
Who was Ahijah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Why was Israel divided into the Southern Kingdom and Northern Kingdom? | GotQuestions.org

What is the story of Rehoboam and Jeroboam? | GotQuestions.org

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Ahijah's (2 Occurrences)

1 Kings 14:4
And Jeroboam's wife did so, and arose, and went to Shiloh, and came to the house of Ahijah. Now Ahijah could not see; for his eyes were set by reason of his age.
(See NIV)

1 Kings 14:6
And it cometh to pass, at Ahijah's hearing the sound of her feet 'as' she came in to the opening, that he saith, 'Come in, wife of Jeroboam, why is this -- thou art making thyself strange? and I am sent unto thee 'with' a sharp thing:
(YLT)

Subtopics

Ahijah's

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Ahijah: Son of Shisha
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