1 kings 14:5 - Yahweh said to Ahijah, “Behold, Jeroboam’s wife is coming to inquire of you concerning her son; for he is sick. Tell her such and such; for it will be, when she comes in, that she will pretend to be another woman.”

Generated Verse: 1 kings 14:5

What does "1 kings 14:5" mean?


This verse (1 Kings 14:5) is part of a larger narrative about the judgment that will come upon Jeroboam, the first king of the northern kingdom of Israel after the division of the united kingdom. Let's break down the meaning:

"Yahweh said to Ahijah...": This establishes that the prophet Ahijah is receiving a direct communication from God (Yahweh is the Hebrew name for God, often translated as "LORD"). This emphasizes the authority and truthfulness of what follows.

"...Behold, Jeroboam’s wife is coming to inquire of you concerning her son; for he is sick.": Ahijah is being informed about a very specific event that is about to happen. Jeroboam's wife, although not named, will be coming to him because their son is ill. Jeroboam, in a time of national crisis (his son's illness), recognizes the power of the Lord and wants to seek his will regarding his son's fate.

"Tell her such and such...": God isn't just giving Ahijah information; he's also giving him instructions. He's telling Ahijah what to say when she arrives. This prefigures the content of Ahijah's prophecy, which is revealed later in the chapter. It demonstrates God's control and knowledge of the future.

"...for it will be, when she comes in, that she will pretend to be another woman.": This is a crucial part. God knows that Jeroboam's wife will attempt to disguise herself. This act reveals a few things:

Deception: Jeroboam and his wife understand that Ahijah is not pleased with Jeroboam's reign (Jeroboam had established idol worship, turning away from God), so they try to deceive the prophet in hope of a more favorable prophecy
Weakness of faith: It also highlights their lack of faith in God.
God's all-knowing nature: God is not fooled by appearances. He sees through her disguise and knows her true intentions. This underscores God's omniscience. It shows that one cannot hide anything from God.

In summary, the verse means that God is revealing his knowledge of Jeroboam's plan and instructing Ahijah to speak truth to Jeroboam's wife, regardless of her attempts to deceive him. The verse highlights God's omniscience, Jeroboam's lack of faith, and the prophet's role as a messenger of God's word, even when it is unwelcome.

The broader context of this story reveals that Ahijah then delivers a harsh prophecy, foretelling the death of the sick child and the destruction of Jeroboam's dynasty because of his idolatry and turning away from God. The deception attempted by Jeroboam's wife does not alter the prophecy, highlighting the inevitability of God's judgment.

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