1Ki 14:1-18 | TNotes

14:2 ^a Disguise yourself: Jeroboam apparently recognized that his sin had separated him from any right to approach God’s prophet. He knew that the man who had predicted his accession to Israel’s throne could predict the child’s fate and perhaps intercede with the Lord on his behalf.

• Shiloh had earlier been destroyed by the Philistines in the time of Eli (1 Sam 4 ^b). Before that, the Tabernacle resided there (Josh 18:1 ^c; 1 Sam 1:3 ^d). A small community once again inhabited the site, which remained largely undeveloped throughout the divided monarchy.
14:3 ^e It was customary to take a gift to a prophet when seeking his counsel (2 Kgs 5:5 ^f; 8:8 ^g). King Jeroboam’s wife took everyday commodities to supplement her disguise.
14:5 ^h the answer I give you: The Lord often instructed prophets to deliver only the message that he gave them (see 22:14 ⁱ; Num 22:38 ^j; 23:12 ^k; Jer 7:2 ^l; Amos 7:14-15 ^m).
14:7 ⁿ God had blessed Jeroboam and established him as ruler in Israel (see study note on 1:35). However, Jeroboam abused God’s appointment with his false religion.
Summary for 1Kgs 14:8-9: 14:8-9 ^o Unlike David, who genuinely repented of his sins (2 Sam 12:13 ^p; Ps 51:2-4 ^q), Jeroboam exceeded his predecessors in doing evil. Despite clear evidence of God’s displeasure and coming judgment (1 Kgs 13:33 ^r), he failed to turn from his ways. His sin would bring grave consequences to his family and descendants (13:34 ^s; 14:10-11 ^t, 14 ^u) and, ultimately, to the whole northern kingdom (14:16 ^v).

• gold calves: see 12:26-30 ^w.
14:11 ^x eaten by dogs: This message of judgment for Jeroboam’s family followed the legal curses pronounced for unfaithfulness (Deut 28:26 ^y; see 1 Kgs 16:4 ^z; 21:23 ^aa; 2 Kgs 9:35-37 ^ab).
14:14 ^ac destroy the family of Jeroboam: The prophecy quickly came true. God raised up Baasha, who killed Jeroboam’s son Nadab in the second year of Nadab’s reign (15:27-28 ^ad).
14:15 ^ae Asherah was thought to be the consort of El, the elder god of ancient Canaan. Asherah worship included fertility rites at sacred trees or poles; it became a chronic sin for God’s people (15:13 ^af; 16:33 ^ag; 18:19 ^ah; Deut 16:21 ^ai; Judg 3:7 ^aj).
Summary for 1Kgs 14:17-18: 14:17-18 ^ak Tirzah was situated on the road from Shechem to Beth-shan. Noted for its great beauty (Song 6:4 ^al), the city was a royal retreat that apparently had become the capital of the northern kingdom (1 Kgs 16:6 ^am, 8 ^an).

• The child died, as Ahijah had predicted.