1 Kings 14 14

1 Kings 14:14 kjv

Moreover the LORD shall raise him up a king over Israel, who shall cut off the house of Jeroboam that day: but what? even now.

1 Kings 14:14 nkjv

"Moreover the LORD will raise up for Himself a king over Israel who shall cut off the house of Jeroboam; this is the day. What? Even now!

1 Kings 14:14 niv

"The LORD will raise up for himself a king over Israel who will cut off the family of Jeroboam. Even now this is beginning to happen.

1 Kings 14:14 esv

Moreover, the LORD will raise up for himself a king over Israel who shall cut off the house of Jeroboam today. And henceforth,

1 Kings 14:14 nlt

"In addition, the LORD will raise up a king over Israel who will destroy the family of Jeroboam. This will happen today, even now!

1 Kings 14 verses

1 Kings 14 14 Meaning

1 Kings 14:14 declares the Lord's immediate and sovereign judgment upon the house of Jeroboam. The verse is a prophetic pronouncement by the prophet Ahijah to Jeroboam's wife, foretelling that YHWH Himself will appoint a new king over Israel. This king, later identified as Baasha (1 Kgs 15:27-30), would utterly destroy Jeroboam's entire lineage due to his profound sin of leading Israel into idolatry and turning away from the Lord's ways. The dramatic concluding phrase emphasizes the certainty and astonishing immediacy of this divine decree and its impending fulfillment.

1 Kings 14 14 Context

1 Kings chapter 14 details the prophet Ahijah's severe judgment against King Jeroboam and his entire dynasty. Jeroboam, initially chosen by God to rule the ten northern tribes (1 Kgs 11:29-39), tragically led Israel into egregious idolatry by setting up golden calves in Bethel and Dan to prevent his subjects from worshipping in Jerusalem (1 Kgs 12:25-33). This act profoundly defiled the nation and was the "sin of Jeroboam" from which the Northern Kingdom never fully recovered. Chapter 14 opens with Jeroboam sending his wife to Ahijah, now blind, to inquire about their sick son, Abijah. Despite his infirmity, Ahijah, empowered by the Lord, recognized Jeroboam's wife and delivered a devastating prophecy, revealing Jeroboam's betrayal of God's trust and pronouncing the complete eradication of his house, "even to one cutting off every male" (1 Kgs 14:10). Verse 14 intensifies this judgment, pinpointing the instrument of judgment (a new king) and highlighting the shocking imminence and certainty of the calamity.

1 Kings 14 14 Word analysis

• Moreover (וְגַם - vegam): A connective particle meaning "and also," "even," "furthermore." It signifies an addition to the already dire pronouncement, emphasizing that what follows is another layer of divine decree, not just a casual observation. It adds weight and certainty.
• the Lord (יהוה - YHWH): The personal, covenantal name of God. This highlights that the judgment originates from the sovereign God of Israel, whose covenant Jeroboam has broken. It underscores divine authority and purpose, not human agency.
• will raise up (הֵקִים - hekim): Hiphil perfect verb, indicating a causative action – God causes to stand, establishes, or raises. Though a perfect form, here it carries a strong prophetic future sense, implying absolute certainty that this divine act will occur. It's an act of divine appointment and initiation.
• for himself (לוֹ - lo): "For him/himself." This seemingly small word is crucial, emphasizing that the Lord's action in raising this new king is for His own purpose, by His own will, and for His own glory, independent of any human machinations or desires. The new king will be God's instrument.
• a king over Israel: This refers to the incoming agent of judgment, not just any king but specifically Baasha (1 Kgs 15:27-29). It points to God's ultimate authority over the political landscape and succession.
• who will cut off (וְהִכְרִית - vekhikhrit): A strong Hiphil verb indicating complete eradication, cutting off from existence, utterly destroying. This signifies the total termination of Jeroboam's dynasty, leaving no survivor. It implies a divinely mandated execution of judgment.
• the family of Jeroboam: Encompasses his entire lineage, his descendants, his household, indicating a dynastic curse. The judgment targets not just the individual but his entire legacy, ensuring no heir remains to perpetuate his wicked rule.
• this very day (הַיּוֹם - hayom): Literally "the day." This phrase can imply either absolute immediacy (within the 24-hour period), or, more likely in prophecy, the certainty and imminence of the event, from God's eternal perspective, as good as done. When Baasha struck down Nadab and destroyed Jeroboam's house, it fulfilled this.
• What? Even now? (מָה עַתָּה וְלָעַתָּה - mah attah vela'attah): This is an emphatic, rhetorical exclamation, often interpreted as "What now? And for now!" or "Indeed, right now!" It's not a question of doubt but expresses astonishment at the speed and certainty of the impending judgment. It adds dramatic impact and stresses the immediate efficacy of the divine word.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Moreover, the Lord will raise up for himself": This opening segment stresses the divine origin and initiative of the impending events. God is the active subject, purposefully raising someone for His own agenda, underscoring His sovereignty over history and human leadership.
• "a king over Israel who will cut off the family of Jeroboam": This defines the precise mission of the divinely appointed king. His primary function is to act as God's instrument of judgment to utterly eliminate Jeroboam's line, signifying the severe and complete nature of the judgment against his idolatrous leadership.
• "this very day. What? Even now?": This powerfully concludes the prophetic word by emphasizing the terrifying immediacy and certainty of its fulfillment. The double exclamation conveys the dramatic and imminent arrival of judgment, leaving no room for escape or delay for Jeroboam's house. It highlights God's swiftness in dealing with unrepentant sin.

1 Kings 14 14 Bonus section

• The rapid succession of kings and dynastic purges in the Northern Kingdom of Israel (as opposed to the stable Davidic line in Judah for centuries) is largely a consequence of their persistent failure to adhere to the Lord's covenant, initiated by Jeroboam's fundamental sin. This verse marks the beginning of the turbulent pattern for the Northern Kingdom.
• The detail that the new king (Baasha) was from the tribe of Issachar, not from one of the prominent tribes or linked to previous royal lineage, further illustrates God's unconstrained choice in fulfilling His will, highlighting that no human claim to power can override His ultimate sovereignty.
• The concept of a 'clean sweep' of a family (literally 'cutting off') echoes similar divine judgments in scripture against wicked dynasties (e.g., Saul, Eli) and underscores that persistent, leading-edge sin brings complete divine dismantling of a legacy.
• Ahijah's prophecy serves as a foundational text illustrating God's prophetic pattern: warning precedes judgment, and divine promises/threats are infallibly fulfilled.

1 Kings 14 14 Commentary

1 Kings 14:14 is a chilling declaration of divine judgment, underscoring the severe consequences of disobedience and apostasy, particularly for those in positions of leadership. Jeroboam’s establishment of state idolatry constituted a profound betrayal of his God-given mandate, incurring a total rejection from the Lord. This verse highlights God’s absolute sovereignty: He raises kings (Baasha) and removes them, often to execute His justice. The phrase "for himself" emphasizes that divine actions, even through human agents, ultimately serve God's greater purposes. The stark immediacy conveyed by "this very day" and "What? Even now?" signifies the irrevocable and swiftly executed nature of God’s decree, revealing His indignation against Israel's idolatry. It serves as a potent reminder that divine prophecies are not idle threats but certain pronouncements that are unfailingly brought to pass according to God's precise timing. This prophecy demonstrates the certainty of God's Word.