1 Kings 14 20

1 Kings 14:20 kjv

And the days which Jeroboam reigned were two and twenty years: and he slept with his fathers, and Nadab his son reigned in his stead.

1 Kings 14:20 nkjv

The period that Jeroboam reigned was twenty-two years. So he rested with his fathers. Then Nadab his son reigned in his place.

1 Kings 14:20 niv

He reigned for twenty-two years and then rested with his ancestors. And Nadab his son succeeded him as king.

1 Kings 14:20 esv

And the time that Jeroboam reigned was twenty-two years. And he slept with his fathers, and Nadab his son reigned in his place.

1 Kings 14:20 nlt

Jeroboam reigned in Israel twenty-two years. When Jeroboam died, his son Nadab became the next king.

1 Kings 14 verses

1 Kings 14 20 Meaning

1 Kings 14:20 marks the end of Jeroboam I's twenty-two-year reign over the northern kingdom of Israel. It records his death using the common biblical euphemism "he slept with his fathers," indicating a natural end, and states that his son, Nadab, succeeded him on the throne. This verse concludes the chronicler's account of Jeroboam's personal rule, preceding the narrative of his dynasty's destruction.

1 Kings 14 20 Context

1 Kings 14 is a pivotal chapter, initiating the detailed historical narrative of the Northern Kingdom of Israel following the division of the monarchy. The chapter opens with Jeroboam I, king of Israel, facing the illness of his son, Abijah. Desperate, he sends his wife in disguise to the prophet Ahijah, who, despite his blindness, recognizes her through divine revelation. Ahijah then delivers a severe judgment against Jeroboam and his entire dynasty, foretelling the son's death, the swift eradication of Jeroboam's lineage, and the eventual exile of Israel due to Jeroboam's establishment of idolatrous calf worship at Bethel and Dan (the "sin of Jeroboam"). This verse (14:20) serves as the chronological summation of Jeroboam's reign, occurring after the fulfillment of the immediate prophecy regarding his son, Abijah (14:17-18). It sets the stage for the fulfillment of the remaining dynastic prophecy in the subsequent chapters, particularly 1 Kings 15, highlighting divine retribution for apostasy. Historically, this period reflects the instability of non-Davidic dynasties in the north, contrasting sharply with the relative stability of the Davidic line in Judah, albeit with its own challenges.

1 Kings 14 20 Word analysis

• And the days (וְהַיָּמִים, v'hayyamim): This standard historical introductory phrase initiates a chronological summary. It emphasizes the chronicler's concern with recording factual durations of reigns, characteristic of ancient Near Eastern annals.
• which Jeroboam reigned (אֲשֶׁר מָלַךְ יָרָבְעָם, asher malakh Yarov'am): Identifies the specific monarch being summarized. Jeroboam is profoundly significant as the king who cemented the split of the united monarchy and instituted the "sin of Jeroboam," which becomes a recurring motif for judging subsequent northern kings.
• were two and twenty years (שְׁתַּיִם וְעֶשְׂרִים שָׁנָה, shtayim v'esrim shanah): This precise figure signifies the actual duration of his kingship, conveying a historical marker. It emphasizes a lengthy period under a ruler who consistently led Israel into spiritual deviation.
• and he slept with his fathers (וַיִּשְׁכַּב עִם־אֲבֹתָיו, vayyishkav im-avotav):
  • וַיִּשְׁכַּב (vayyishkav, from שָׁכַב, shakháv, to lie down, sleep): This is a common Hebrew euphemism for dying. It suggests a natural or conventional death, not one marked by immediate divine judgment (like being "struck down" or "cut off" without burial). Its use for Jeroboam highlights that his personal end was typical, even if his lineage would face a violent end.
  • עִם־אֲבֹתָיו (im-avotav, with his fathers/ancestors): This signifies being buried in ancestral land or family tombs, suggesting being "gathered" to those who have gone before. It does not imply a favorable spiritual state, but rather a proper burial and entry into the realm of the departed ancestors according to cultural practice. For wicked kings, this highlights that their individual death could still be "normal," but their "house" (dynasty) might face complete eradication.
• and Nadab his son reigned in his stead (וַיִּמְלֹךְ נָדָב בְּנוֹ תַּחְתָּיו, vayyimlokh Nadav b'no takhtav):
  • וַיִּמְלֹךְ (vayyimlokh, and he reigned): Marks the succession event, signifying a continuation of dynastic rule.
  • תַּחְתָּיו (takhtav, in his stead/place): Indicates a direct and undisputed transfer of power. This transition, while peaceful in this verse, immediately precedes the rapid and violent end of Jeroboam's dynasty in the following chapter (1 Kings 15), illustrating God's patience followed by swift judgment.

1 Kings 14 20 Bonus section

• The consistent formula used in the book of Kings to record the death and succession of monarchs (reign duration, death phrase, successor) provides a clear, reliable structure for understanding Israel's historical timeline. This pattern implicitly communicates God's providential ordering of history, even amidst human rebellion.
• The contrast between the stability of the Davidic line in Judah (though often flawed) and the violent, short-lived dynasties in the Northern Kingdom (like Jeroboam's) highlights the fulfillment of God's unconditional covenant with David (2 Sam 7) versus the conditional nature of the promise offered to Jeroboam (1 Kgs 11:38). Jeroboam's reign marks the start of northern instability.
• While Jeroboam's physical body "slept with his fathers," his spiritual legacy persisted, defining the future apostasy of the Northern Kingdom. "The sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, which he sinned and which he made Israel sin" became a standard indictment against nearly every subsequent northern king, contributing to Israel's ultimate exile (e.g., 2 Kgs 17:21-23). This verse, in closing Jeroboam's life, simultaneously seals the foundation of his detrimental legacy.

1 Kings 14 20 Commentary

1 Kings 14:20 succinctly concludes Jeroboam's life, reporting his death and the succession of his son. While Jeroboam lived out his natural days, dying conventionally ("slept with his fathers"), this personal outcome is distinct from the comprehensive judgment pronounced upon his dynasty by the prophet Ahijah (1 Kgs 14:10-11). The peaceful succession of Nadab might suggest a period of calm, but this tranquility is superficial, directly foreshadowing the imminent, brutal fulfillment of the prophecy against Jeroboam's "house." This verse, therefore, acts as a bridge, closing Jeroboam's lengthy reign and setting the immediate scene for divine justice against the consequences of his enduring idolatry, highlighting the theme that personal outcomes do not negate God's promised judgment on an entire unrighteous lineage.