1 Kings 14:13 kjv
And all Israel shall mourn for him, and bury him: for he only of Jeroboam shall come to the grave, because in him there is found some good thing toward the LORD God of Israel in the house of Jeroboam.
1 Kings 14:13 nkjv
And all Israel shall mourn for him and bury him, for he is the only one of Jeroboam who shall come to the grave, because in him there is found something good toward the LORD God of Israel in the house of Jeroboam.
1 Kings 14:13 niv
All Israel will mourn for him and bury him. He is the only one belonging to Jeroboam who will be buried, because he is the only one in the house of Jeroboam in whom the LORD, the God of Israel, has found anything good.
1 Kings 14:13 esv
And all Israel shall mourn for him and bury him, for he only of Jeroboam shall come to the grave, because in him there is found something pleasing to the LORD, the God of Israel, in the house of Jeroboam.
1 Kings 14:13 nlt
All Israel will mourn for him and bury him. He is the only member of your family who will have a proper burial, for this child is the only good thing that the LORD, the God of Israel, sees in the entire family of Jeroboam.
1 Kings 14 13 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Ki 14:10-11 | I will cut off from Jeroboam every male... to be devoured by dogs or birds. | Contrast to Abijah's respectful burial. |
| 1 Ki 12:28-30 | ...the king made two calves of gold... and said... "Behold your gods, O Israel!" | Jeroboam's sin: leading Israel into idolatry. |
| 1 Ki 14:7-9 | Forasmuch as I exalted thee... yet thou hast not been as my servant David. | God's judgment against Jeroboam's apostasy. |
| Gen 6:8-9 | But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD... Noah was a righteous man. | Righteous individual in a wicked generation. |
| Isa 57:1-2 | The righteous perishes... none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come. | Early death as divine protection/mercy. |
| Ps 37:23 | The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD. | God's sovereign ordering of a person's life. |
| Ps 139:2 | You know my sitting down and my rising up; you understand my thought afar off. | God's comprehensive knowledge of individuals. |
| 1 Sam 16:7 | For the LORD sees not as man sees: for man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart. | God's perception of inner disposition. |
| Prov 24:12 | If you say, "Behold, we knew not this!" Does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? | God discerning secret intentions. |
| 2 Chr 19:3 | Nevertheless, there are good things found in you... you have sought God. | Divine recognition of genuine goodness. |
| Luke 16:15 | For what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God. | God values internal righteousness over external show. |
| Rom 2:6-7 | He will render to each one according to his works: to those who by persistence in doing good... eternal life. | God rewards inner truth and actions stemming from it. |
| Jer 8:2 | They shall not be gathered or buried; they shall be as dung on the face of the earth. | Contrast: Dishonorable end for the wicked. |
| Eze 33:14-16 | When I say to the wicked, 'You shall surely die,' if he turns from his sin... he shall surely live. | God's recognition of turning to Him. |
| Mal 3:16 | Then those who feared the LORD spoke with one another; the LORD paid attention and heard them. | God recognizing and valuing the faithful. |
| Eccl 9:2-3 | All things come alike to all: there is one event to the righteous, and to the wicked. | Universal experience of death, but distinct meaning. |
| Ps 116:15 | Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints. | God values the lives and deaths of the righteous. |
| Matt 7:17-18 | Every healthy tree bears good fruit... A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. | Good actions spring from inner character. |
| 2 Ki 22:19-20 | Because your heart was tender... I will gather you to your fathers, and you shall be gathered to your grave in peace. | Early, peaceful death as a reward for righteousness (Josiah). |
| 1 Pet 1:5 | ...who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation. | Divine protection for those with faith. |
| Jude 1:24 | Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless. | God's ability to preserve the righteous. |
| Col 3:23-24 | Whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men... from the Lord you will receive the reward. | Work for God, as He sees the heart. |
1 Kings 14 verses
1 Kings 14 13 Meaning
1 Kings 14:13 reveals that Abijah, the son of King Jeroboam, was granted a unique favor by God: despite belonging to a wicked family marked for utter destruction, he alone among Jeroboam's lineage would receive a proper burial and be genuinely mourned by all Israel. This distinction was attributed to God finding "some good thing" in Abijah, signifying an inner inclination of faith or a righteous act directed toward the LORD God of Israel, even within the corrupt household of Jeroboam. His early death, which prompted this public mourning and honorable burial, was interpreted as a divine act of mercy, sparing him from the dire fate awaiting the rest of his family.
1 Kings 14 13 Context
1 Kings 14:13 is part of the somber prophetic message delivered by the aged and blind prophet Ahijah of Shiloh to Jeroboam's wife, who had come in disguise to inquire about her sick son, Abijah. This chapter marks a critical moment in the history of the divided kingdom. King Jeroboam I had ascended to power as the first king of the Northern Kingdom of Israel but quickly established widespread idolatry by setting up golden calves in Dan and Bethel, deviating from the true worship of YHWH at Jerusalem. This action fundamentally corrupted the spiritual life of Israel. In response to Jeroboam's grievous sins, God sends Ahijah to pronounce severe judgment: Jeroboam's entire dynastic line will be cut off, with none receiving an honorable burial. However, amidst this stark condemnation, Abijah, the dying prince, is singled out. His death, foretold to occur immediately upon his mother's return, serves as both a sign of God's immediate judgment and a unique display of divine mercy. His passing allows him to escape the violent and ignominious end predicted for the rest of his father's household.
1 Kings 14 13 Word analysis
- And all Israel: Indicates a widespread and genuine outpouring of national sorrow and reverence. This is remarkable, given the state of apostasy under Jeroboam, and highlights a unique acknowledgment of Abijah's personal worth by the general populace.
- shall mourn for him, and bury him: The Hebrew sāp̄aḏ (סָפַד), "to lament" or "to bewail," refers to formal and deep public expressions of grief. Qāvar (קָבַר) means "to bury," implying a proper and dignified burial. This stands in stark contrast to the disgraceful fate prophesied for the rest of Jeroboam's descendants, whose unburied bodies would be consumed by scavengers (1 Ki 14:11).
- for he only of Jeroboam: Emphasizes Abijah's singular and exceptional status. He is the sole individual within his family who receives this divine favor and societal honor, setting him apart from a doomed lineage.
- shall come to the grave: Refers to a peaceful and honorable death followed by a proper interment, which was considered a significant blessing and mark of respect in ancient Near Eastern culture. This implies protection from a violent end and deliverance from desecration.
- because in him there is found some good thing: The pivotal phrase is dāvār ṭôv (דָּבָר טוֹב), literally "a good word/matter/thing." This signifies an intrinsic moral and spiritual inclination or quality. It implies a genuine, if not outwardly conspicuous, disposition towards righteousness and loyalty to YHWH. This "good thing" was an internal state, or perhaps an isolated but sincere act, demonstrating a true heart before God.
- toward the LORD God of Israel: ’el YHWH ’ĕlōhê Yiśrā’ēl (אֶל-יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל). This is a crucial qualifier, directing the "good thing" specifically toward YHWH, the covenant God, rather than the idolatrous golden calves established by his father. It underscores that Abijah's righteousness was aligned with true divine worship and not the corrupted religious practices of the northern kingdom.
- in the house of Jeroboam: This phrase highlights the profound spiritual corruption of Abijah's familial environment. His "good thing" was found amidst a household notorious for leading Israel into widespread idolatry, making his personal devotion all the more remarkable and commendable in God's eyes. It underscores God's ability to see and value hidden piety.
1 Kings 14 13 Bonus section
Abijah's story, particularly his favored demise, offers a theological paradox where death itself becomes an act of divine preservation and mercy. God’s choice to "take away the righteous from the evil to come" (Isa 57:1-2) is visibly illustrated here, highlighting that an early departure can be a grace to spare one from witnessing or partaking in severe future judgments or suffering. This divine selectivity also reinforces the efficacy of personal piety irrespective of family background, directly challenging the prevailing assumption that one is inescapably bound by the iniquities of their lineage. Furthermore, the precise timing of Abijah's death, occurring just as his mother crossed the threshold upon returning, emphasizes God's sovereign control and immediate execution of His prophetic word, providing undeniable proof of Ahijah's prophetic authority.
1 Kings 14 13 Commentary
1 Kings 14:13 unveils a powerful dimension of God's character: His omniscient discernment and profound mercy amidst impending judgment. While the prophecy pronounced an utter catastrophe upon Jeroboam's house for its profound apostasy, God's eye spotted a unique quality in young Abijah. The "some good thing toward the LORD God of Israel" refers not necessarily to a perfect or overt act of righteousness, but a sincere, internal inclination or perhaps a hidden resistance to the prevalent idolatry, cultivated within the most ungodly environment. God's response to this singular spark of genuine devotion was to grant Abijah a blessed, mournful burial—a sign of respect contrasting sharply with the dishonorable deaths awaiting the rest of his family. More significantly, his early death was a merciful act, preserving his soul and sparing him from experiencing the horrific and shameful demise destined for his wicked lineage. This teaches that God sees beyond lineage, outward circumstances, or even the most corrupted environments, and will honor true righteousness, providing deliverance and peace even in the face of widespread calamity. For example, a young person maintaining faith in an unbelieving family, or a disciple standing for truth in a compromising professional setting, exemplifies such quiet goodness cherished by God.