Ahijah's Prophecy Against Jeroboam
1 Kings 14:1-20
1 K.14.1 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- בעת: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ההיא: DEM,f,sg
- חלה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אביה: NOUN,m,sg,suff
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ירבעם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 1 Kgs 14:2 (structural): Immediate continuation of the episode: Jeroboam’s wife goes to the prophet (Ahijah) because Abijah is sick — directly follows and explains the situation in v.1.
- 1 Kgs 14:7-16 (allusion): Ahijah’s prophetic oracle pronouncing judgment on Jeroboam’s house and declaring the fate linked to the child’s sickness — the oracle interprets the significance of Abijah’s illness.
- 1 Kgs 11:29-39 (thematic): Earlier prophecy of Ahijah about Jeroboam’s rise and the long-term consequences for his house; provides background for why Abijah’s sickness and the prophetic response matter morally and dynastically.
- 1 Kgs 14:17 (verbal): Narrative resolution reporting that Abijah (the son of Jeroboam) died and was buried — completes the story begun in v.1.
Alternative generated candidates
- At that time Abijah son of Jeroboam fell sick.
- At that time Abijah the son of Jeroboam became sick.
1 K.14.2 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- ירבעם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לאשתו: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,cs,poss3,m
- קומי: VERB,qal,imp,2,f,sg
- נא: PART
- והשתנית: VERB,hith,imp,2,f,sg
- ולא: CONJ
- ידעו: VERB,qal,perf,3,pl
- כי: CONJ
- את: PRT,acc
- אשת: NOUN,f,sg,cns
- ירבעם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- והלכת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- שלה: PRON,3,f,sg,gen
- הנה: PART
- שם: ADV
- אחיה: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- הנביא: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
- דבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עלי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- למלך: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- על: PREP
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הזה: DEM,m,sg
Parallels
- 1 Kings 11:29-39 (allusion): Ahijah first predicts Jeroboam’s rise to be king over ten tribes; Jeroboam’s instruction to his wife presumes and echoes that earlier prophetic oracle.
- 1 Kings 14:6-16 (verbal): Immediate continuation: Ahijah’s pronouncement to Jeroboam’s wife (delivered when she comes disguised) provides the substantive oracle and judgment referenced in v.2.
- 1 Samuel 1:3-18 (thematic): A woman goes to Shiloh to seek a man of God about a child (Hannah to Eli); parallels setting (Shiloh) and the motif of a woman seeking divine intervention/conveyance of word concerning offspring.
- 1 Kings 13:11-34 (thematic): Episode of prophetic deception and issues of prophetic authority—like the secrecy/disguise in 14:2, 1 Kgs 13 highlights the dangers and complications when prophetic access or identity is obscured or manipulated.
Alternative generated candidates
- And Jeroboam said to his wife, "Rise, disguise yourself, and do not let them know that you are Jeroboam’s wife; go to Shiloh. There is Ahijah the prophet—he told me I would be king over this people."
- And Jeroboam said to his wife, "Rise, disguise yourself, that they may not know that you are the wife of Jeroboam; and go to Shiloh. There is Ahijah the prophet; he told me that I would be king over this people."
1 K.14.3 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ולקחת: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- בידך: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,suff,2,m,sg
- עשרה: NUM,card,m,pl
- לחם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ונקדים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ובקבק: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- דבש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ובאת: CONJ+VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- אליו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
- יגיד: VERB,hif,impf,3,m,sg
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
- מה: PRON,int
- יהיה: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- לנער: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 2 Kings 4:8-37 (thematic): A woman provides food and hospitality to the prophet (Elisha); the prophet becomes involved in the fate of her son (including prophecy and restoration) — a close narrative parallel of a woman bringing provisions to consult a prophet about a child’s destiny.
- 1 Kings 17:9-16 (thematic): Elijah is aided with bread and food by a widow (jar of meal and cruse of oil); shared motif of food/provisions exchanged between a prophet and a vulnerable household, linking sustenance with prophetic activity.
- Judges 13:8-23 (thematic): Manoah and his wife consult a heavenly messenger about the birth and destiny of a son (Samson); parallels include a parental couple seeking divine/prophetic word concerning a child’s future.
- 1 Samuel 1:24-28 (structural): Hannah dedicates her son Samuel to the house of the LORD and brings him to the priest; structurally similar: a mother/wife bringing or seeking priestly/prophetic determination about a child’s life and fate.
Alternative generated candidates
- Take ten loaves, some cakes, and a jar of honey in your hand, and go to him; he will tell you what shall become of the boy.
- Take with you ten loaves of bread, a skin of wine, and a jar of honey, and go to him; he will tell you what will become of the child.
1 K.14.4 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ותעש: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,f,sg
- כן: ADV
- אשת: NOUN,f,sg,cns
- ירבעם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ותקם: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- ותלך: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- שלה: PRON,3,f,sg,gen
- ותבא: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,sg
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אחיה: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ואחיהו: CONJ+NOUN,prop,m,sg
- לא: PART_NEG
- יכל: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לראות: VERB,qal,inf
- כי: CONJ
- קמו: VERB,qal,imp,2,m,pl
- עיניו: NOUN,f,pl,suff
- משיבו: NOUN,f,sg,abs+poss,3,m
Parallels
- Genesis 27:1 (verbal): Isaac is described as old and his eyes dim so that he could not see—language and situation closely parallel Ahijah's inability to see because of age while someone comes to him in disguise.
- Genesis 48:10 (verbal): Jacob's eyes are said to be dim for age so that he could not see, echoing the motif of an elderly seer whose physical sight has failed (paralleling Ahijah's condition).
- 1 Samuel 9:16-17 (thematic): The LORD reveals the identity of an unexpected visitor to a prophet (Samuel is told beforehand about Saul and recognizes him by divine revelation), paralleling how Ahijah discerns Jeroboam's wife despite his failing sight through prophetic knowledge.
- Judges 16:21 (thematic): Samson is rendered blind and led away—a thematic parallel regarding blindness as a significant physical condition affecting a central figure, highlighting biblical uses of impaired sight (whether from age or affliction) in narrative development.
Alternative generated candidates
- So Jeroboam’s wife did so; she arose and went to the house of Ahijah. Now Ahijah could not see, for his eyes were dim because of his age.
- So the wife of Jeroboam did as he commanded her; she arose, disguised herself, and went to the house of Ahijah. And Ahijah could not see, for his eyes had grown dim because of his age.
1 K.14.5 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויהוה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אל: NEG
- אחיהו: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- הנה: PART
- אשת: NOUN,f,sg,cns
- ירבעם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- באה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- לדרש: PREP+VERB,qal,inf
- דבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מעמך: PREP+PRON,2ms
- אל: NEG
- בנה: NOUN,m,sg,abs+SUFF,3,f,sg
- כי: CONJ
- חלה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
- כזה: PRON,dem,m,sg,abs
- וכזה: CONJ+DEM,m,sg
- תדבר: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- אליה: PREP+PRON,3,f,sg
- ויהי: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- כבאה: PART+VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- והיא: CONJ+PRON,3,f,sg
- מתנכרה: VERB,hitp,ptcp,3,f,sg
Parallels
- 1 Kings 14:6-16 (structural): Immediate continuation: Ahijah's prophetic message to Jeroboam's wife about her sick son, including the disguise and the oracle of the child's fate.
- 1 Kings 11:29-39 (allusion): Earlier prophecy of Ahijah concerning Jeroboam's rise and the future of his house; provides background for Ahijah's role and the divine judgment pronounced against Jeroboam's dynasty.
- 2 Samuel 12:15-23 (thematic): Nathan's prophecy concerning the illness and death of David's child after sin; parallels the pattern of a prophet announcing a child's fate tied to divine judgment.
- 2 Kings 4:18-37 (thematic): Elisha's involvement with the Shunammite woman's sick son (illness, death, and prophetic activity regarding the child); contrasts prophetic roles in a child's life and death.
- 1 Kings 13:11-24 (thematic): Narrative of prophetic encounter, deception, and consequences—another instance in Kings of prophetic instruction, disguise/deception, and the serious outcomes tied to prophetic authority.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the LORD said to Ahijah, "Behold, the wife of Jeroboam is come to inquire of you concerning her son, for he is sick; now therefore, when she comes, she will disguise herself."
- And the LORD said to Ahijah, "Behold, the wife of Jeroboam is coming to inquire of you concerning her son, for he is sick; speak to her, and say, 'Thus says the LORD' — for she is coming disguised."
1 K.14.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויהי: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- כשמע: CONJ
- אחיהו: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- קול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- רגליה: NOUN,f,pl,suff
- באה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- בפתח: PREP
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- באי: PREP+VERB,qal,ptcp,m,pl
- אשת: NOUN,f,sg,cns
- ירבעם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- למה: ADV
- זה: PRON,dem,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- מתנכרה: VERB,hitp,impf,2,f,sg
- ואנכי: PRON,1,sg
- שלוח: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- אליך: PREP+PRON,2,m,sg
- קשה: ADJ,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 1 Kgs 11:29-31 (structural): Same prophet Ahijah and the earlier prophecy to Jeroboam—provides the background for the message Ahijah will deliver to Jeroboam’s household in 1 Kgs 14.
- 1 Kgs 13:1-2 (thematic): A prophetic envoy pronounces judgment on an altar connected to Jeroboam’s cult (Bethel); parallels the theme of prophetic denunciation of Jeroboam’s house and religious innovations.
- Ps 139:2-3 (thematic): The motif of knowing a person’s coming/steps and recognizing them from afar (’you discern my going out’) echoes Ahijah’s ability to identify Jeroboam’s wife by the sound of her feet/voice.
- 1 Sam 9:15-17 (structural): Like Ahijah, Samuel receives divine revelation about a visitor and then addresses that visitor by identity—both scenes show a seer who, by revelation, recognizes and greets a specific person before ordinary means would reveal them.
Alternative generated candidates
- And it came to pass, as soon as Ahijah heard the sound of her feet at the door, that he said, "Come in, wife of Jeroboam; why do you feign yourself? For I am sent to you with a hard word."
- When Ahijah heard the sound of her footsteps at the door, he said, "Come in, wife of Jeroboam. Why do you feign yourself? I am sent to you with heavy tidings.
1 K.14.7 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- לכי: VERB,qal,impv,2,f,sg
- אמרי: VERB,qal,impv,2,f,sg
- לירבעם: PREP+NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- כה: ADV
- אמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלהי: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יען: CONJ
- אשר: PRON,rel
- הרימתיך: VERB,qal,perf,1,?,sg,obj:2ms
- מתוך: PREP
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ואתנך: CONJ+VERB,qal,impf,1,?,sg,obj:2ms
- נגיד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- על: PREP
- עמי: NOUN,m,sg,abs+1s
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 1 Kgs.11:31-32 (structural): Ahijah’s earlier prophecy to Jeroboam announces God’s choice to lift him up and give him ten tribes — the same providential commissioning referenced here.
- 1 Kgs.11:37-38 (verbal): God’s promise to Jeroboam in Ahijah’s oracle uses similar language of raising him up and installing him as ruler, including conditional blessings if he obeys — directly parallel in content and phrasing.
- 1 Kgs.12:20 (structural): Narrative fulfillment: this verse records Israel’s actual enthronement of Jeroboam as king over the northern tribes, the outcome of the commissioning declared in 14:7.
- Amos 7:15 (thematic): Amos describes being taken from tending flocks and sent by the LORD to prophesy to Israel — a comparable motif of God removing someone from among the people (or humble origins) and appointing them to a public office/mission.
- 1 Sam.16:1 (thematic): God’s declaration of removing Saul and sending Samuel to anoint David reflects the same divine action of raising and designating a leader from among the people by God’s sovereign choice.
Alternative generated candidates
- Go, tell Jeroboam, ‘Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: Because I exalted you from among the people and made you ruler over my people Israel,
- Go, tell Jeroboam, 'Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: Because I exalted you from among the people and made you prince over my people Israel,
1 K.14.8 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואקרע: VERB,qal,impf,1,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- הממלכה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- מבית: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- דוד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואתנה: VERB,qal,impf,1,sg
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
- ולא: CONJ
- היית: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- כעבדי: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,cstr
- דוד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- שמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- מצותי: NOUN,f,pl,abs,1cs
- ואשר: CONJ+PRON,rel
- הלך: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אחרי: PREP
- בכל: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לבבו: NOUN,m,sg,abs,poss:3,m,sg
- לעשות: VERB,qal,inf
- רק: PRT
- הישר: ADJ,m,sg,def
- בעיני: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,abs
Parallels
- 1 Kings 11:31-36 (quotation): Ahijah's prophecy to Jeroboam announcing that God will tear the kingdom from the house of David and give it to Jeroboam; the language and promise here are directly echoed.
- 1 Kings 11:11-13 (verbal): God's judgment against Solomon that the kingdom will be taken away, with the proviso that one tribe will be left for David 'for my servant David’s sake'—a close verbal and thematic parallel.
- 2 Samuel 7:12-16 (thematic): The Davidic covenant promises an enduring house and throne for David's line; provides theological background for why God spares part of David's dynasty.
- Psalm 89:30-37 (allusion): Speaks of God's discipline of David's descendants but also the sure covenantal commitment to David's line ('for my covenant with him shall stand'), echoing the 'for the sake of my servant David' motif.
- 1 Kings 15:4-5 (verbal): Praises David's obedience to God's commands ('David did that which was right in the sight of the LORD'), paralleling the statement that David 'kept my commandments' used as the standard against Jeroboam.
Alternative generated candidates
- I will tear the kingdom out of the hand of the house of David and will give it to you; yet you have not been like my servant David, who kept my commandments and who followed me with all his heart, to do only that which was right in my sight.
- and I tore the kingdom out of the hand of the house of David and gave it to you — yet you were not like my servant David, who kept my commandments and who walked in my ways with a whole heart to do that which was right in my sight.
1 K.14.9 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ותרע: CONJ+VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- לעשות: VERB,qal,inf
- מכל: PREP
- אשר: PRON,rel
- היו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- לפניך: PREP+PRON,2,m,sg
- ותלך: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- ותעשה: CONJ+VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
- אלהים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- אחרים: ADJ,m,pl,abs
- ומסכות: CONJ+NOUN,f,pl,abs
- להכעיסני: PREP+VERB,hiph,inf,1,m,sg
- ואתי: PRON,1,m,sg
- השלכת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- אחרי: PREP
- גוך: NOUN,m,sg,abs,2,m
Parallels
- 1 Kings 11:33 (verbal): God's judgment language parallels: because the king forsook Yahweh and made other gods, God will tear the kingdom away—similar wording and rationale for punishment.
- Exodus 32:8–10 (thematic): The making and worship of a molten image (the golden calf) provokes God's wrath—parallels the charge that making 'molten images' provoked the LORD.
- 2 Kings 17:7–23 (structural): Summary of Israel's repeated evil—making idols, provoking the LORD, and resulting exile mirrors the pattern of sin and divine rejection in 1 Kgs 14:9.
- Deuteronomy 4:28 (allusion): Warning that Israel will serve and make 'gods of wood and stone' fashioned by human hands echoes the prohibition and the motif of man-made idols that provoke God.
Alternative generated candidates
- You have done more evil than all who were before you; you have gone and made for yourself other gods, molten images, to provoke me, and you have cast me behind your back.
- You did worse than those before you: you went and made for yourself other gods, molten images, to provoke me, and you cast me behind your back.
1 K.14.10 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- לכן: ADV
- הנני: PRT+PRON,1,sg
- מביא: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- רעה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ירבעם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- והכרתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,ms,sg
- לירבעם: PREP+NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- משתין: PART,piel,ptcp,_,m,sg
- בקיר: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עצור: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ועזוב: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ובערתי: CONJ+VERB,qal,perf,1,m,sg
- אחרי: PREP
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ירבעם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כאשר: CONJ
- יבער: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- הגלל: ART+NOUN,m,sg,def
- עד: PREP
- תמו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
Parallels
- 1 Kgs 21:21-24 (verbal): Elijah's oracle against Ahab employs the same prophetic formula—'I will bring evil upon you... I will cut off your posterity... I will make your house like the house of Jeroboam and like the house of Baasha'—direct verbal parallel in judgment against a royal house for causing Israel to sin.
- 1 Kgs 16:1-4 (verbal): Prophecy delivered against Baasha explicitly cites the house of Jeroboam as the negative model and announces the cutting off of Baasha's line for leading Israel into sin—same motif and language of dynastic annihilation.
- 1 Kgs 9:6-9 (structural): Solomon's covenant-warning uses the same covenantal retribution pattern (if king/house forsakes God, I will cut off Israel and cast off the house/land), providing the theological framework for later prophetic announces of dynastic destruction.
- 2 Kgs 17:20-23 (thematic): Summary of Israel's removal from the land because of idolatry and sin echoes the outcome threatened in 1 Kgs 14:10—the divine act of cutting off and removing Israel/its leaders as punishment for persistent sin.
Alternative generated candidates
- Therefore behold, I will bring disaster upon the house of Jeroboam, and will cut off from Jeroboam every male, bond and free, in Israel; and I will burn up the house of Jeroboam as one burns dung until it is all consumed.
- Therefore behold, I will bring disaster on the house of Jeroboam. I will cut off from Jeroboam every male, him who urinates against the wall and him who is confined and left in Israel, and I will burn up the house of Jeroboam as one burns dung until it is all consumed.
1 K.14.11 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- המת: NOUN,m,sg,def
- לירבעם: PREP+NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- בעיר: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- יאכלו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- הכלבים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- והמת: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,def
- בשדה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יאכלו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- עוף: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- השמים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- כי: CONJ
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- דבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 28:26 (verbal): Covenantal curse language: the dead becoming food for birds and beasts echoes the same imagery of corpses eaten by birds/beasts as a consequence of judgment.
- Jeremiah 16:4 (verbal): Similar prophetic formula—people’s bodies given 'for food to the birds of the heavens and to the beasts of the earth'—using the same metaphor of desecration as divine punishment.
- 1 Kings 21:19 (verbal): Elijah’s pronouncement against Ahab uses the dogs-eating-blood motif ('in the place where dogs licked up the blood of Naboth shall dogs lick your blood'), closely paralleling the wording and curse-formula.
- 2 Kings 9:36 (structural): Narrative fulfillment of the dogs-eating imagery (Jezebel’s body is eaten by dogs), showing how the prophetic curse language in 1 Kgs 14:11 and similar oracles is realized in Israel’s history.
- Ezekiel 39:17-20 (thematic): Visionary portrayal of birds and beasts feasting on the dead of the defeated armies—the same motif of carrion-eating as a symbol of total defeat and divine vengeance.
Alternative generated candidates
- Those who die of Jeroboam in the city the dogs shall eat; and those who die in the open country the birds of the heavens shall eat; for the LORD has spoken.
- The one who dies of Jeroboam in the city shall be eaten by dogs; and the one who dies in the field shall be eaten by the birds of the sky, for the LORD has spoken it.
1 K.14.12 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואת: CONJ
- קומי: VERB,qal,imp,2,f,sg
- לכי: VERB,qal,impv,2,f,sg
- לביתך: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,cs+PRON,2,f,sg
- בבאה: PREP+VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- רגליך: NOUN,f,pl,abs,poss,2,f
- העירה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- ומת: CONJ+VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- הילד: NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- 1 Kings 14:1-18 (structural): Immediate literary context: the fuller prophetic oracle against Jeroboam’s house that includes this announcement of the child’s death as part of the judgment.
- 2 Samuel 12:15-18 (thematic): Nathan’s prophecy that David’s infant will die as the consequence of sin; like 1 Kgs 14:12 it features a prophet announcing a child’s death as divine judgment.
- 2 Kings 4:17-20 (thematic): The Shunammite’s son suddenly dies at home and the prophet (Elisha) is involved; parallels the motif of a child’s abrupt death in the household and prophetic intervention.
- Matthew 9:18-26 (thematic): Story of Jairus’ daughter: a child’s death announced/realized and the surrounding movement of a parent to the house; echoes the narrative pattern of a child’s death connected to a parent’s return and a prophet/holy person’s role.
Alternative generated candidates
- Now arise, go to your house; when you come the child will die.
- Now arise, go to your house. When you enter the city, the child will die.
1 K.14.13 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וספדו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- כל: DET
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וקברו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- אתו: PRON,3,m,sg,acc
- כי: CONJ
- זה: PRON,dem,m,sg
- לבדו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- יבא: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- לירבעם: PREP+NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- קבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יען: CONJ
- נמצא: VERB,nip,perf,3,m,sg
- בו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- דבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- טוב: ADJ,m,pl,abs
- אל: NEG
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלהי: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בבית: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
- ירבעם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 1 Kings 14:11 (structural): Same prophetic oracle against the house of Jeroboam that predicts the cut‑off of his line — provides the immediate literary context for the exception noted in v.13.
- 1 Kings 14:12 (structural): Closely connected verse in the same oracle that explains the fate of Jeroboam’s house and sets up the qualification that one member was found to have done ‘good’ toward the LORD.
- 2 Chronicles 35:24–25 (thematic): Describes nationwide mourning and lamentation at the death of a king (Josiah); parallels the communal lament and burial language of 1 Kings 14:13.
- 2 Samuel 1:17–27 (thematic): David’s public lament for Saul and Jonathan — another narrative instance of formal mourning and public lamentation over a deceased leader, echoing the communal bereavement in 1 Kings 14:13.
Alternative generated candidates
- And all Israel shall mourn for him and bury him; for he alone of Jeroboam shall come to the grave, because something good was found toward the LORD in the house of Jeroboam.
- All Israel shall mourn for him and bury him; for he alone of Jeroboam shall come to the grave, because in him there was found something good toward the LORD God of Israel in the house of Jeroboam.
1 K.14.14 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- והקים: VERB,hif,impf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- על: PREP
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- יכרית: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ירבעם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- זה: PRON,dem,m,sg
- היום: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ומה: CONJ+PRON,int
- גם: ADV
- עתה: ADV
Parallels
- 1 Kings 11:31-32 (allusion): Ahijah's earlier prophecy to Jeroboam predicts the split of the kingdom and announces divine judgment on Solomon's house and the new king—background to the later oracle that a king will be raised up to cut off Jeroboam's house.
- 1 Kings 15:27-30 (verbal): Narrative fulfillment: Baasha assassinates Nadab and destroys the house of Jeroboam, directly carrying out the judgment announced in 1 Kgs 14:14.
- 1 Kings 16:1-4,7-14 (allusion): Prophecies and actions surrounding Baasha (who came to power by killing Jeroboam's heir) show the recurrent prophetic pattern of dynastic overthrow and judge the cycle begun with Jeroboam's house.
- 2 Kings 17:21-23 (thematic): Summarizes Israel's exile as the result of the sins that began under Jeroboam; provides the long-term consequence and theological context for the judgment against Jeroboam's dynasty announced in 1 Kgs 14:14.
Alternative generated candidates
- The LORD will raise up for himself a king over Israel who shall cut off the house of Jeroboam; even now this thing is coming to pass.
- And the LORD will raise up for himself a king over Israel who will cut off the house of Jeroboam — this very day and even now.
1 K.14.15 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- והכה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כאשר: CONJ
- ינוד: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- הקנה: NOUN,m,sg,def
- במים: PREP
- ונתש: CONJ+VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מעל: PREP
- האדמה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- הטובה: ADJ,f,sg,def
- הזאת: DEM,f,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- נתן: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לאבותיהם: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs,prsuf=3,m,pl
- וזרם: CONJ+VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- מעבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לנהר: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יען: CONJ
- אשר: PRON,rel
- עשו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- אשריהם: NOUN,m,pl,abs,prsuf=3,m,pl
- מכעיסים: PTCP,piel,act,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 28:63-64 (verbal): Covenantal curse language: the LORD removes Israel from the land and 'scatters you among the nations,' even 'beyond the river' — close verbal and thematic parallel to the exile threatened here.
- 2 Kings 17:18-23 (structural): Narrative fulfillment: recounts how the LORD was angry with Israel, removed them from their land, and carried them beyond the river to Assyria, directly echoing the threat in 1 Kgs 14:15.
- Leviticus 26:33-34 (thematic): Part of the Mosaic curse tradition: disobedience brings divine removal from the land and dispersion among nations — same theological framework for exile in 1 Kings 14:15.
- Hosea 9:17 (thematic): Declares that God will 'cast them away' and they shall be wanderers among the nations because of their sin — parallels the cause (idolatry) and consequence (dispersal) in 1 Kgs 14:15.
- Amos 9:8 (thematic): God describes sifting/uprooting the house of Israel among the nations as punishment; similar imagery of divine uprooting and dispersion for Israel's sins.
Alternative generated candidates
- The LORD will strike Israel, as a reed is shaken in the water; he will root Israel out of this good land that he gave to their fathers, and will scatter them beyond the River, because they have provoked the LORD.
- The LORD will strike Israel as one shakes a reed in the water; he will root Israel out of this good land which he gave to their fathers, and will scatter them beyond the River, because they have done things that provoke the LORD.
1 K.14.16 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויתן: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בגלל: PREP
- חטאות: NOUN,f,pl,const
- ירבעם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- חטא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- ואשר: CONJ+PRON,rel
- החטיא: VERB,hiph,perf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 2 Kings 17:21-23 (verbal): Explicitly states that Israel 'walked in the sins of Jeroboam' and that the LORD removed Israel from his presence because of those sins—directly parallels the causal link between Jeroboam’s sin and Israel’s punishment.
- 1 Kings 12:26-30 (thematic): Narrative of Jeroboam’s establishment of golden calves and non-Levitical worship, the original act that 'caused Israel to sin' mentioned in 1 Kgs 14:16.
- 2 Chronicles 11:15 (allusion): Describes Jeroboam’s appointment of priests for the high places and the calves he made—an alternate account that highlights the institutionalized sin that led to Israel’s downfall.
- 1 Kings 16:25-26 (verbal): Speaks of later kings (e.g., Omri) who 'walked in the ways of Jeroboam,' reflecting the recurring phrase and theme that Jeroboam’s sin became the pattern for Israel’s ongoing idolatry and judgment.
- Deuteronomy 28:36-37 (thematic): Part of the covenant curses warning that God will hand over/bring the disobedient to other nations—parallels the theological rationale in 1 Kgs 14:16 for Israel’s being delivered because of sin.
Alternative generated candidates
- And he will deliver Israel because of the sins of Jeroboam, which he sinned and by which he made Israel to sin.
- He will give Israel up because of the sins of Jeroboam — by which he sinned and by which he made Israel to sin.
1 K.14.17 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ותקם: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- אשת: NOUN,f,sg,cns
- ירבעם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ותלך: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- ותבא: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,sg
- תרצתה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- היא: PRON,dem,3,f,sg
- באה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- בסף: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הבית: NOUN,m,sg,def
- והנער: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,def
- מת: ADJ,m,sg
Parallels
- 1 Kings 14:12-16 (structural): Ahijah's prophetic pronouncement to Jeroboam's wife that her son will die is fulfilled when she returns home and the child dies at the house threshold.
- 2 Samuel 12:15-18 (thematic): Nathan's judgment on David includes the death of the child as divine punishment; like Jeroboam's son, a royal child dies following a prophet's pronouncement.
- 1 Kings 21:19-24 (thematic): Elijah's oracle against Ahab—punishment brought on the royal house for the king's sin—parallels the motif of prophetic judgment enacted against a king's household.
- 1 Samuel 3:11-14 (thematic): A prophetic declaration that Eli's house will be punished and his sons die; parallels the theme of a prophet announcing death or calamity upon a leader's family as judgment.
Alternative generated candidates
- So Jeroboam’s wife arose and went away; and when she came to the threshold of the house the child died.
- So the wife of Jeroboam arose and went away. As she came to the threshold of the house, the child died.
1 K.14.18 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויקברו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- אתו: PRON,3,m,sg,acc
- ויספדו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- כל: DET
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כדבר: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- דבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ביד: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- עבדו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3,m,sg
- אחיהו: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- הנביא: NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- 1 Kgs.14:1-16 (structural): Immediate oracle by the prophet Ahijah pronouncing judgment on Jeroboam's house; v.18 cites the fulfillment of this very prophecy, so the chapter as a whole is the structural parallel to the report of burial and national mourning.
- 1 Kgs.11:29-39 (verbal): Earlier prophetic word of Ahijah to Jeroboam (establishing and condemning his dynasty). This passage connects the same prophet and prophetic pattern of announcement and later fulfillment invoked in 1 Kgs 14:18.
- 2 Sam.1:17-27 (thematic): Communal lament for fallen rulers (Saul and Jonathan): public mourning and formal lamentation echo the motif in 1 Kgs 14:18 of the people mourning a king in response to an earlier word or event.
- 2 Kgs.9:30-37 (thematic): Account of Jezebel's death and its public aftermath following prophetic judgment. Like 1 Kgs 14:18, it ties a leader's end and burial to prior prophetic pronouncement and public response.
Alternative generated candidates
- They buried him, and all Israel mourned for him, according to the word of the LORD which he had spoken by the hand of his servant Ahijah the prophet.
- They buried him, and all Israel mourned for him, according to the word of the LORD which he had spoken through his servant Ahijah the prophet.
1 K.14.19 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויתר: CONJ+ADJ,m,sg,abs
- דברי: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,1,c,sg
- ירבעם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- נלחם: VERB,niphal,perf,3,m,sg
- ואשר: CONJ+PRON,rel
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- הנם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- כתובים: VERB,pual,ptcp,m,pl
- על: PREP
- ספר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- דברי: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,1,c,sg
- הימים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- למלכי: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,cstr
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 1 Kings 11:41 (verbal): Uses the same historiographical formula about 'the rest of the acts' being recorded in another official book (the acts/book of Solomon), a close verbal parallel in kingship summaries.
- 1 Kings 14:20 (structural): Immediate parallel within the same narrative: the following verse applies the same formula to Rehoboam, pointing to records in the book of the kings of Judah (same structural device contrasting north/south records).
- 2 Chronicles 9:29 (quotation): Chronicles repeats the Solomon formula ('the rest of the acts of Solomon... are they not written in the book of the acts of Solomon'), echoing the same historiographical practice found in 1 Kings 14:19.
- 2 Chronicles 12:15 (thematic): Chronicles uses the same closing formula for Rehoboam's reign ('the rest of the acts... are they not written in the book of the kings of Judah'), thematically paralleling the kingship-summary convention in 1 Kings 14:19.
Alternative generated candidates
- As for the rest of the acts of Jeroboam, and all that he did, and his warfare, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?
- As for the rest of the acts of Jeroboam — is there not written of them in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?
1 K.14.20 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- והימים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- ירבעם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עשרים: NUM,card,pl
- ושתים: NUM,f,pl,abs
- שנה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- וישכב: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- עם: PREP
- אבתיו: NOUN,m,pl,abs,3s
- וימלך: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- נדב: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- בנו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3ms
- תחתיו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
Parallels
- 1 Kgs 15:25 (structural): Same characters — records Nadab son of Jeroboam as king of Israel and gives the length and evaluation of his reign (links directly to 'Nadab his son reigned in his stead').
- 1 Kgs 15:27-29 (thematic): Describes Baasha's assassination of Nadab and the end of Jeroboam's house, following the succession reported in 1 Kgs 14:20.
- 1 Kgs 11:43 (verbal): Uses the same royal formula 'slept with his fathers; and his son reigned in his stead' concerning Solomon → Rehoboam, a common closing formula for monarchic entries.
- 1 Kgs 11:26-40 (allusion): The account of Jeroboam's rise (Ahijah's prophecy and the granting of ten tribes) provides the background and theological context for Jeroboam's reign mentioned in 1 Kgs 14:20.
Alternative generated candidates
- In the days that Jeroboam reigned he reigned twenty-two years; then he slept with his fathers, and Nadab his son reigned in his place.
- The days that Jeroboam reigned were twenty-two years. Then he slept with his fathers, and Nadab his son reigned in his place.
At that time Abijah, son of Jeroboam, became ill. And Jeroboam said to his wife, "Arise, disguise yourself, that you may not be recognized as the wife of Jeroboam; and go to Shiloh. There Ahijah the prophet is; he is the one who told me that I would be king over this people." So take with you ten loaves, some cakes, and a jar of honey, and go to him; he will tell you what will become of the boy. And the wife of Jeroboam did so. She arose and went in to the house of Ahijah; and Ahijah could not see, for his eyes were dim because of his age.
The LORD said to Ahijah, "Behold, the wife of Jeroboam is coming to inquire of you concerning her son, for he is sick. As soon as she comes in, say to her, 'Thus says the LORD,' for she will feign herself to be another woman."
When Ahijah heard the sound of her feet as she came in at the door, he said, "Come in, wife of Jeroboam; why do you disguise yourself? I am sent to you with a hard word.
Go, tell Jeroboam, 'Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: Because I exalted you from among the people and made you prince over my people Israel,
'and I tore the kingdom from the house of David and gave it to you, yet you were not like my servant David, who kept my commandments and who walked in my ways, doing what was right in my sight.
'You have acted more wickedly than those before you: you have made for yourself other gods and cast molten images to provoke me, and you have cast me behind your back.
'Therefore behold, I will bring disaster upon the house of Jeroboam. I will cut off from Jeroboam every male, in Israel I will cut him off; and I will make the house of Jeroboam like refuse that is burned until it is consumed.'"
'The one who dies of Jeroboam in the city the dogs shall eat, and the one who dies in the field the birds of the heavens shall eat; for the LORD has spoken.'"
"Now therefore arise, go to your house; and when you enter the city, the child shall die." So all Israel shall mourn for him and bury him; for he alone of Jeroboam shall come to the grave, because there was found in him something good before the LORD God of Israel in the house of Jeroboam.
The LORD will raise up for himself a king over Israel who will cut off the house of Jeroboam—this is the LORD's decree—both now and hereafter. And the LORD will strike Israel as a reed is shaken in the water; he will root Israel out of this good land that he gave to their fathers, and will scatter them beyond the River, because they have made themselves gods that provoked the LORD to anger.
He will give Israel over because of the sins of Jeroboam, which he sinned and by which he made Israel to sin.
Then the wife of Jeroboam arose and went to Tirzah; and as she was entering the threshold of the house, the child died.
They buried him, and all Israel mourned for him according to the word of the LORD, which he had spoken by his servant Ahijah the prophet.
As for the rest of the acts of Jeroboam, what he did and how he warred, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?
The days that Jeroboam reigned were twenty-two years; then he slept with his fathers, and Nadab his son reigned in his place.