Ten loaves - Probably common or household bread. Cracknels - נקדים nikkuddim , spotted, or perforated bread; thin cakes, pierced through with many holes, the same as is called Jews' bread to the present day, and used by them at the passover. It was customary to give presents to all great personages; and no person consulted a prophet without bringing something in his hand. read more
Feign herself to be another woman - It would have been discreditable to Jeroboam's calves, if it had been known that he had consulted a prophet of Jehovah. read more
And rent the kingdom away from the house of David - That is, permitted it to be rent, because of the folly and insolence of Rehoboam. read more
EXPOSITION THE DEATH OF JEROBOAM 'S SON .—The protest of the prophet of Judah, the signs which supported it, and above all the solemn visitation, with its strange portents, which straightway followed it, having alike failed to arrest Jeroboam ( 1 Kings 13:33 ) in his high-handed and shameless depravation of the true religion, we now read of the retribution which came upon his family, and which began with the sickness and death of his firstborn. We can hardly regard this as... read more
The Impenitent Seeker. The day of judgment will come at the end of the world, when the heavens and earth shall be burnt up ( 2 Thessalonians 2:7-10 ; 2 Peter 3:7 ). But this has its prelude in a season of judgments which overtakes the sinner in this life. Jeroboam, having sinned away his day of grace, had now entered into such a season. But of this he seems to have been doubtful. Hence learn— I. THAT THE SINNER MAY BE SURPRISED IN HIS SEASON OF JUDGMENTS . ... read more
Abijah and Ahijah. Perhaps there is no single section of this book more full of lessons, and lessons of the most varied kind, than this. Let us try to gather something of what God has strawed with so liberal a hand. 1. " At that time ( 1 Kings 14:1 )"—the time of 1 Kings 13:33 . The sickness of the child distinctly connects itself with the father's persistence in sin (see Deuteronomy 7:15 ; Deuteronomy 28:22 , Deuteronomy 28:61 ). The hard and impenitent heart treasures... read more
Affliction and judgment. I. THE STRICKEN KING . Abijah seems to have been heir to the throne, and to have been alike the king's and the people's hope. The father's heart was touched: the king saw the dynasty threatened, to establish which he had ventured so much. The voice of God, against which the car was closed, will be heard again in the quietness of the sick chamber, in the silence of death. God follows us through deepening sorrows, if haply we may turn ere we are overwhelmed by... read more
And take with thee [Heb. in thine hand ] ten loaves [ Ten would seem to have been a usual number ( 1 Samuel 17:18 ). On the subject of gifts or fees to prophets, judges, etc; see on Hebrews 13:7 ], and cracknels [or cakes, as marg. The original word נִקֻּדִּים ( נָקַד pupugit ) means "pricked," or "spotted." It is the word translated "mouldy" in Joshua 9:5 , Joshua 9:12 , where Gesenius would render "crumbs." Mouldy bread would hardly be taken as a present.... read more
And Jeroboam's wife did so, and arose, and went to Shiloh, and came [probably on the second day] to the house of Ahijah. But [rather Now ] Ahijah could not see; for his eyes were set [Heb. stood . Same word as in 1 Samuel 4:15 . Cf. Genesis 27:1 . In amaurosis the pupil is set, and does not contract with the light. A partial paralysis of the optic nerve is common in extreme old age] by reason of his age. [Heb. for hoariness, i.e. old age.] read more
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Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 14:1
Abijah - fell sick - This was but a prelude to the miseries which fell on the house of Jeroboam; but it was another merciful warning, intended to turn him from his idolatry and wickedness. read more