1 Kings 14 5

1 Kings 14:5 kjv

And the LORD said unto Ahijah, Behold, the wife of Jeroboam cometh to ask a thing of thee for her son; for he is sick: thus and thus shalt thou say unto her: for it shall be, when she cometh in, that she shall feign herself to be another woman.

1 Kings 14:5 nkjv

Now the LORD had said to Ahijah, "Here is the wife of Jeroboam, coming to ask you something about her son, for he is sick. Thus and thus you shall say to her; for it will be, when she comes in, that she will pretend to be another woman."

1 Kings 14:5 niv

But the LORD had told Ahijah, "Jeroboam's wife is coming to ask you about her son, for he is ill, and you are to give her such and such an answer. When she arrives, she will pretend to be someone else."

1 Kings 14:5 esv

And the LORD said to Ahijah, "Behold, the wife of Jeroboam is coming to inquire of you concerning her son, for he is sick. Thus and thus shall you say to her." When she came, she pretended to be another woman.

1 Kings 14:5 nlt

But the LORD had told Ahijah, "Jeroboam's wife will come here, pretending to be someone else. She will ask you about her son, for he is very sick. Give her the answer I give you."

1 Kings 14 verses

1 Kings 14 5 Meaning

This verse reveals the Lord's absolute knowledge and active engagement in the affairs of Israel. Before Jeroboam's wife even arrives, the Lord informs the blind prophet Ahijah about her visit, its purpose (her sick son), and her intention to disguise her identity. This divine foreknowledge ensures that the subsequent prophecy is undeniably from God, demonstrating His omniscience and authority over human deception and events.

1 Kings 14 5 Context

Chapter 14 of 1 Kings continues the narrative of Jeroboam, the first king of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. His initial ascendancy was prophesied by Ahijah (1 Kgs 11). However, Jeroboam quickly abandoned the Lord's ways, establishing idolatrous golden calves at Dan and Bethel, thereby leading Israel into grievous sin. The immediate context of verse 5 involves Jeroboam's son, Abijah, falling critically ill. In his distress, Jeroboam sends his wife to inquire of Ahijah, the same prophet who foretold his rise, to ask about their son's fate. Yet, Jeroboam, likely due to shame over his apostasy or fear of an unfavorable prophecy, instructs his wife to disguise herself, indicating his attempt to deceive the prophet and perhaps God. This verse therefore precedes Ahijah's severe prophetic judgment against Jeroboam's house, revealing the swift consequence of the king's unfaithfulness.

1 Kings 14 5 Word analysis

• But the Lord: Hebrew: וַיהוָה (va'YHWH). Signifies the immediate intervention and action of the covenant God, Yahweh. It highlights divine initiative overriding human intention.
• had said: Hebrew: אָמַר (amar). While "amar" is common for speaking, in this context it emphasizes a direct, authoritative pronouncement from God. This is not merely an idea, but a declared divine message.
• to Ahijah: Identifies the recipient as the specific prophet. Ahijah, though physically blind as noted in the subsequent verse (1 Kgs 14:4), possesses spiritual sight by divine revelation. This contrast underscores God's ability to reveal truth irrespective of human limitations.
• "Behold: Hebrew: הִנֵּה (hinneh). An exclamation or interjection. It acts as an attention-getter, drawing focus to something immediate, significant, or surprising that is about to be revealed.
• the wife of Jeroboam: Specifically names her position without her personal name (later revealed as Abijah). Her identity is tied to the sinful king, connecting the family's actions to their impending judgment.
• is coming: Hebrew: בָּאָה (ba'ah). Implies present or imminent action, reinforcing God's real-time awareness and anticipation of events.
• to ask something from you: Hebrew: לִשְׁאֹל דָּבָר מֵאִתָּךְ (lish'ol davar me'ittakh). To inquire or consult, seeking a word (davar) from the prophet. While seemingly a request for help, the following details reveal its deceitful nature.
• concerning her son: Specifies the exact purpose of the visit – a matter of deep personal concern, not a seeking of God's general will or repentance.
• for he is sick: Hebrew: כִּי חֹלֶה הוּא (ki choleh hu). "Ki" introduces the reason. The son's illness provides the immediate crisis driving the visit. It evokes human pathos, juxtaposed with the divine response to their spiritual condition.
• Thus and thus you shall say to her: Hebrew: כֹּה וָכֹה תְּדַבֵּר אֵלֶיהָ (koh v'kho t'dabber eileha). This repeated phrase emphasizes exactness. Ahijah is to deliver God's message verbatim, leaving no room for human interpretation or deviation, highlighting God's complete control over the prophetic word.
• for when she comes in: Specifies the precise timing for the revelation of God's knowledge. The deception is to be exposed at the moment of her entry.
• she will pretend to be another woman: Hebrew: וְהִיא מִתְנַכֶּרֶת (v'hi mitnakeret). "Mitnakeret" means to disguise oneself, feign, make oneself unrecognized, or estrange oneself. This reveals her attempt at deception, likely hoping for a more favorable oracle if her true identity (as Jeroboam's wife) and his actions were unknown.

Words-Group analysis:

• "But the Lord had said to Ahijah": This phrase immediately establishes divine sovereignty and prophetic authority. It frames the entire encounter not as a human interaction, but as a divinely orchestrated revelation, where God is the primary actor and Ahijah His instrument. It undercuts any human attempt at secrecy or manipulation.
• "Behold, the wife of Jeroboam is coming...for he is sick.": This grouping highlights God's pre-knowledge of specific events and the emotional drivers behind human actions. It sets the scene by presenting the urgency (sick son) yet implicitly questions the spiritual sincerity, especially in light of the subsequent deception.
• "Thus and thus you shall say to her, for when she comes in, she will pretend to be another woman.": This passage is crucial for demonstrating God's omniscience and prophetic empowerment. Not only does God know her intention, but He specifically instructs Ahijah on how to immediately counter her deception. It emphasizes God's ability to see beyond outward appearances and expose hidden motives. The phrase "Thus and thus" also foreshadows a detailed and specific divine message.

1 Kings 14 5 Bonus section

• The detail that Ahijah was blind (1 Kgs 14:4) emphasizes the miraculous nature of his perception in verse 5. His physical blindness starkly contrasts with his spiritual sight, supernaturally provided by God, affirming that his revelation did not come from human observation but directly from the divine.
• The phrase "thus and thus" (כֹּה וָכֹה) signifies the authoritative nature of God's impending message, meaning the exact words are given, much like a formal divine decree, underscoring its gravity and unalterable nature. This stands in stark contrast to human-devised, uncertain deceptions.
• This verse is part of a recurring biblical motif where human attempts to deceive or hide from God's knowledge are always unsuccessful (e.g., Adam and Eve hiding in the garden, Jonah fleeing from God's presence, Ananias and Sapphira). It consistently illustrates God's unassailable sovereignty.

1 Kings 14 5 Commentary

1 Kings 14:5 serves as a potent declaration of God's omnipresence and omnipotence. It portrays a Lord who is neither distant nor unaware, but deeply involved in human affairs, even in the attempts to deceive Him or His messengers. Jeroboam's wife, acting under her husband's direction, sought to manipulate the prophetic encounter through disguise, perhaps to secure a favorable word for her son without acknowledging the magnitude of Jeroboam's apostasy. However, God, through His active communication with Ahijah, renders such deception futile before it even fully materializes. Ahijah, though physically blind, becomes an instrument of divine sight, exposing the futility of human attempts to hide from God. This verse underscores that while humans may attempt to outmaneuver consequences through cunning, God sees all, knows all, and will bring His word to pass. It sets the stage for a dramatic confrontation between divine truth and human sin, reinforcing the principle that one cannot "test" or "trick" the Lord and expect favorable outcomes when walking in disobedience.