1. At that time—a phrase used often loosely and indefinitely in sacred history. This domestic incident in the family of Jeroboam probably occurred towards the end of his reign; his son Abijah was of age and considered by the people the heir to the throne. read more
The prophecy of judgment on Jeroboam’s dynasty 14:1-18Whereas the prophecy of the young prophet from Judah dealt with Jeroboam’s religious cult, this one predicted the fate of the king’s descendants. Compare Samuel’s prediction concerning unfaithful Saul’s descendants (1 Samuel 13).Jeroboam probably sent his wife to see Ahijah because that prophet had previously given a favorable prophecy to him (1 Kings 11:29-39). He probably hoped his gift (1 Kings 14:3) would win the prophet’s favor as... read more
The Sins of Jeroboam and Rehoboam and their Punishment2. Shiloh] The modern Seilûn, N. of Bethel and E. of the road leading from Bethel to Shechem (Judges 21:19). 3. Take with thee] The gift proffered by the queen was a small one to suit her disguise: contrast 2 Kings 5:5. Cruse] a flask or bottle (and so in 1 Kings 17:12). 9. Above all that were before thee] Solomon’s idolatry was perhaps worse than Jeroboam’s in being the worship of false gods, but it was at any rate not deliberately... read more
(1) Abijah (“whose father is Jehovah”).—The coincidence of names in the sons of Jeroboam and Rehoboam is curious. Possibly it may be more than coincidence, if (as seems likely) the births of both took place about the same time, when Jeroboam was in favour with Solomon. read more
DOOM OF THE HOUSE OF NEBAT1 Kings 14:1-20"Whom the gods love die young."-EPICTET.THE other story about Jeroboam is full of pathos; and though here, too, there are obvious signs that, in its present form, it could hardly have come from a contemporary source, it doubtless records a historic tradition. It is missing in the Septuagint, though in some copies the blank is supplied from Aquila’s version.Jeroboam was living with his queen at Tirzah when as a judgment on him for his neglect of the... read more
CHAPTER 14 The Passing of Jeroboam and Rehoboam 1. Sickness and death of Jeroboam’s son (1 Kings 14:1-18 ) 2. Jeroboam’s reign and death (1 Kings 14:19-20 ) 3. Rehoboam’s apostasy, punishment and death (1 Kings 14:21-31 ) We come now to the passing of both kings, Jeroboam of Israel and Rehoboam of Judah. Abijah (Jehovah is my father), the son of wicked Jeroboam, was sick. “That child was the one green spot in Jeroboam’s life and home; the one germ of hope. And as his father loved him... read more
JEREBOAM WARNED THROUGH HIS SON'S DEATH Though God had sought to reach Jereboam's conscience by the message and actions of the man of God, this produced no effect. So God used another means, by the severe illness of Jereboam's son. Jereboam wanted help for the boy, and could only think of Ahijah the prophet who had told him he would be king. But his conscience so troubled him that in telling his wife to go to Ahijah, he ordered her to disguise herself (v.2). Jereboam was totally insensible of... read more
EARLY DAYS OF TWO KINGDOMS CAUSE OF THE DIVISION (1 Kings 12:1-25 ) 1 Kings 12:2-4 look as though there were a preconcerted purpose to revolt, and yet who can tell what a different history might have followed had the new king heeded wiser counsel? Note the reason of the protest, which was not Solomon’s idolatry and the heathenism he introduced, but their financial burdens; their civil oppression, rather than their religious wrongs. It is still so, and political reform looks only on the... read more
CONTENTS In this chapter begins the history of Israel and Judah in the division of the two kingdoms; so that attention should be paid in the reading to distinguish to which the subject belongs. The chapter opens with the relation of the affairs of Israel under king Jeroboam, and concludes his reign. The latter end of the chapter relates to the affairs of the kingdom of Judah under Rehoboam, and the close of his reign. read more
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Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - 1 Kings 14:1
JEROBOAM TRYING TO HIDE FROM GOD;PROPHECIES REGARDING ISRAEL'S CAPTIVITY AND HARDENING;REHOBOAM'S LOSS OF THE GOLDEN SHIELDSFollowing the death of Solomon and the division of Israel into two kingdoms, there came a dramatic shift in the interest of the sacred narrator. Kings became less and less important, and the prophets of God moved up front and center stage in Biblical emphasis. This chapter focuses upon the word of Jehovah to the prophet Ahijah, but it summarizes the whole twenty-two years... read more