Jeroboam sends his wife disguised to Ahijah the prophet at Shiloh to inquire about their sick son Abijah. The LORD reveals the deception to blind Ahijah, who prophesies doom: because of Jeroboam's unparalleled evil, the LORD will cut off every male from his house, sweeping it away as dung; dogs will eat those dying in the city, birds those in the field. Only this child will receive burial because good is found in him. The LORD will raise a king to cut off Jeroboam's house and strike Israel like a reed, scattering them beyond the Euphrates for their Asherim. When the queen returns, the child dies as she crosses the threshold. Jeroboam reigns twenty-two years, succeeded by Nadab. Rehoboam reigns seventeen years in Judah, which sins with high places, pillars, Asherim, and male cult prostitutes; Shishak of Egypt plunders the temple's gold shields. Rehoboam and Jeroboam are continually at war.
Read 1 Kings Chapter 14 Summary
Characters in This Chapter
David's son, wisest and wealthiest king, builder of the temple, but later fell into idolatry
Prophet who confronted Baal worship and demonstrated God's power on Mount Carmel
Wicked king of Israel who promoted Baal worship through his wife Jezebel
Ahab's Phoenician wife who promoted Baal worship and persecuted God's prophets
Solomon's son whose harsh policies caused the kingdom to divide
King of Israel
Son of Aaron who Offered Strange Fire
Son of Jacob, Ancestor of David and Christ
Places in This Chapter
Shiloh was the religious center of Israel for over 300 years, housing the Tabernacle and Ark of the Covenant. Hannah prayed here for a son and later brought young Samuel to serve. The Philistines later captured the Ark from here. The prophet Jeremiah used Shiloh's destruction as a warning to Jerusalem.
Egypt plays a significant role throughout the Bible, from the time of Abraham to the flight of the Holy Family. Joseph was sold into slavery there and rose to become second to Pharaoh, saving his family during famine. The Israelites were enslaved in Egypt for 400 years before God delivered them through Moses in the Exodus. Jesus' family fled to Egypt to escape King Herod, fulfilling the prophecy "Out of Egypt I called my son."
Position in Book
Rehoboam's folly, Jeroboam leads northern rebellion, the kingdom splits into Israel and Judah.