SERIES L --- THE NATION DIVIDES --- LESSON 18

THE KING’S PUNISHMENT

THE PROPHET AHIJAH’S BAD NEWS

From 1 Kings 13:33-34; 14:1-18

Even though the prophet from Judah had warned Jeroboam, the king refused to turn from his evil ways. He continued to appoint common people as priests of the high places, making the choices himself instead of asking YHVH to do it. One day Jeroboam’s son Abijah became very sick. Desperate to know what would happen, Jeroboam worked out a plan. [Disguise yourself so that no one will know that you are the queen,] Jeroboam told his wife, [Go to the prophet Ahijah’s home at Shiloh with ten loaves of bread, some cakes and a jar of honey. He is the prophet who told me that I would become king. He will tell you what will happen to our son.] The queen did exactly as Jeroboam instructed her. Although Ahijah could not see, Adonai told him that the queen was coming to ask about her son and that she was disguised as another woman. Adonai also told Ahijah what to say to her. When Ahijah heard the queen approaching his door, he called out to her. [Come in. I know that you are King Jeroboam’s wife,] he said. [Why are you disguised as another woman? I have bad news for you to take to Jeroboam. Give him this word from Adonai: ‘I lifted you up from the common people of Israel to make you king. I tore the kingdom from David’s family and gave it to you. Yet you did not try to please Me as My servant David did, for he was always trying to obey Me and do what I wanted. You have done more evil than all other kings before you and have angered Me by making idols and other gods, turning away from Me and thus bringing disaster on your household. I will take away all your sons Jeroboam, even your son who is now sick, I will sweep them away as a man sweeps away refuse, dogs will eat your family members who die in the city and birds will eat those who die in the country. Then Ahijah said to Jeroboam’s wife, [get up and go home now, but when you step inside your city, your child will die. The people of Israel will mourn for him and bury him. He will be the only member of Jeroboam’s family who will lie in a grave, for some good will be seen in him. Adonai will appoint a new king over Israel who will bring Jeroboam’s household to an end. Adonai will also punish Israel from now on as a reed whipping the water. He will tear Israel from this land of promise and scatter the people beyond the Euphrates River, for He is angry because they have worshiped idols. He will turn away from Israel because King Jeroboam has sinned and caused the people to sin also.] When Ahijah finished speaking, Jeroboam’s wife got up and started for her home at Tirzah. When she arrived at home, her child died. All Israel mourned for the child, as Adonai had said through the prophet Ahijah.

COMMENTARY

THE KINGS OF JUDAH: HOW LONG DID THEY RULE?

The kings of Judah ruled from three months to fifty-five years. It is interesting to note that the ten kings with the longest reign were good kings, at least during part of their reign. The ten kings with the shortest reigns were bad kings throughout the time they ruled.