1 Reis 14

Bob Utley · You Can Understand the Bible

1 Reis 14

NJB (MT versing) Ahijah Prophesies Against the King Judgment of the House of Jeroboam Conclusion of the Reign of Jeroboam and Rehoboam The Death of Jeroboam's Son Continuation of the Reign of Jeroboam I (931-810) 14:1-3 14:1-4 14:1-3 14:1-3 14:1-18 14:4-5 14:4-5a 14:4-5a 14:5-16 14:5b-14 14:5b-11 14:6-14 14:12-16 14:15-16 14:15-16 14:17-18 14:17-18 14:17-18 14:17-18 Death of Jeroboam The Death of Jeroboam 14:19-20 14:19-20 14:19-20 14:19-20 14:19-20 Rehoboam Misleads Judah Rehoboam Reigns in Judah King Rehoboam of Judah The Reign of Rehoboam (931-913) 14:21-24 14:21-24 14:21-24 14:21 14:21-24 14:22-24 14:25-28 14:25-28 14:25-28 14:25-28 14:25-28 14:29-31 14:29-31 14:29-31 14:29-31 14:29-31 Etc.

1 Reis 14:1-3

14:1 "Abijah the son of Jeroboam" The LXX has much more information about this child but we do not know the source of this information. He was the oldest child the favorite child the only godly child (cf. v. 13) ▣ "became sick" We do not know the kind of illness but it seems to be the occasion of YHWH revealing His judgment through Ahijah to Jeroboam (v. 2). 14:2 Was the disguise to fool Ahijah or was it to conceal Jereboam going to a prophet of Judah? ▣ "Shiloh" This was at the site where Joshua divided the tribes by lot. It was the site of the temple during the Judges period and Ahijah's home (NIDOTTE, vol. 4, pp. 1220-1223). ▣ "Ahijah the prophet" This is the very spokesperson YHWH used to offer Jeroboam a permanent dynasty if he would obey the covenant in 1 Kgs. 11:29-40. SPECIAL TOPIC: PROPHECY (OT) 14:3 It was expected to bring a prophet a gift (NIDOTTE, vol. 4, p. 342) of food when asking a question (cf. 1 Sam. 9:7; 1 Kgs. 13:7; 2 Kgs. 5:15; 8:8-9).

1 Reis 14:4-5

14:4 "for his eyes were dim because of his age" Isaac had this same problem in his old age (cf. Gen. 27:1), as did Jacob/Israel (cf. Gen. 48:10). The priest at Shiloh, Eli, also had eye problems in his old age (1 Sam. 3:3). These problems are common to all humans. God allows age to weaken, even His special servants. Do not let physical or emotional problems cause you to question God's love and care for you! SPECIAL TOPIC: HUMAN AGING 14:5 This is very specific information. It is obvious YHWH communicated to His prophets. Ezactly how is uncertain. He used many ways. words dreams/visions acts circumstances SPECIAL TOPIC: INSPIRATION

1 Reis 14:6-14

14:7-8 This refers to Ahijah's earlier prophecy in 1 Kgs. 11:29-40. 14:7 "the God of Israel" This is the older use of the word, as God of Jacob. At this time the name "Israel" was used of the northern ten tribes. SPECIAL TOPIC: ISRAEL (THE NAME) 14:8 "yet you have not been like My servant David" David became the type of a godly king. He was not sinless but he had a heart for YHWH (i.e., obedience to the covenant). SPECIAL TOPIC: MESSIAH SPECIAL TOPIC: MY SERVANT SPECIAL TOPIC: KEEP ▣ "My commandments" See SPECIAL TOPIC: TERMS FOR GOD'S REVELATION. 14:9 "you also have done more evil than all who were before you" This is a hyperbolic statement since Jeroboam was the first king of Israel. It is similar to the imagery of Eccl. 1:16 (i.e., "more than all who were in Jerusalem before me," only David preceded Solomon in Jerusalem). ▣ "made for yourself other gods" This refers not only to the two calves at Dan and Bethel, but also the local high places where Ba'al was worshiped by an uplifted pillar of stone (NIDOTE, vol. 4, pp. 422-428) Asherah was worshiped by a carved wooden pole or live tree (NIDOTTE, vol. 3, pp. 562-563,633) SPECIAL TOPIC: FERTILITY WORSHIP OF THE ANE ▣ "provoke Me to anger" This term (BDB 494, KB 491, Hiphil INFINITIVE CONSTRUCT) is used often of YHWH's attitude toward idolatry (cf. Deut. 4:25; 21:29; 32:16,28; 1 Kgs. 14:9,15; 16:16,21,32,36; 22:54; 2 Kgs. 17:11; 23:19; 2 Chr. 28:25; Neh. 3:37; Jer. 7:18-19; 11:17; 32:29,32; 44:3). SPECIAL TOPIC: ANTHROPOMORPHIC LANGUAGE USED TO DESCRIBE DEITY ▣ "and have cast Me behind your back" This and similar idioms (BDB 1020, KB 1527, Hiphil PERFECT) denote an act of rejection by ignoring YHWH's law (cf. Neh. 9:26; Ps. 50:17; Jer. 2:27; 32:33; Ezek. 23:35). This idiom is used in a positive sense of YHWH forgiving sins in Isa. 38:17 (i.e., out of sight, out of mind). It is used of YHWH rejecting His covenant people because of their continuing disobedience in Jer. 18:17. Please look at my exegetical note below from Ezek. 33:32-33. Ezek. 33:32 "for they hear your words but they do not practice them" They hear, but they do not do (i.e., the opposite of shema). This is the condemnation of "religious people," cf. Matt. 7:24-27; James 1:23-25). The exiles loved to come hear or observe Ezekiel's messages, but they did not really believe them. He was the only show in town. This would all change with the news brought by an exiled survivor of Jerusalem that indeed all that Ezekiel had predicted had occurred (cf. Ezek. 33:33). SPECIAL TOPIC: KEEP 33:33 The mark of a true prophet is that what they predict (unless repentance occurs, i.e., Jonah) comes to pass (cf. Ezek. 33:29; 13:6; Deut. 18:22; Jer. 28:9). Ezekiel had been right about Judah and Jerusalem and he would be right about the destruction of the nations! He would also be right about the forgiveness and restoration to come! SPECIAL TOPIC: PROPHECY (OT) 14:10 "every male" This is literally a Hebrew idiom for males—"him who urinates against the wall" (cf. 1 Sam. 25:22,34; 1 Kgs. 14:10; 16:11; 21:21; 2 Kgs. 9:8). ▣ NASB, NKJV, NRSV, JPSOA "both bound and free" "young and old alike" "fettered or free" "whether still under the protection of the family or not" ---omitted— "that possesses authority" AB (p. 379) "the restricted and the abandoned" Akkadian idiom "married and single" The MT has two Qal PASSIVE PARTICIPLES. bond ‒ BDB 783, KB 870 (lit., "restrain") free ‒ BDB 736 I, KB 806 (lit. "loose") This uncertain idiom is also found in Deut. 32:36d; 1 Kgs. 16:11; 21:21; 2 Kgs. 9:8; 14:26. In 1 Kgs. 16:11 it is translated "relatives or friends." These two VERBS are always given as contrasting pairs. Therefore, it may denote "all." See NIDOTTE, vol. 3, p. 364, #3. 14:10 NASB, TEV, NJB, REB, JPSOA "sweeps away" "takes away" "consume" ‒omitted‒ The MT has the VERB (BDB 128, KB 145, cf. 1 Kgs. 16:3; 21:21) twice. Piel PERFECT with waw Piel IMPERFECT Manure was burned for fuel (cf. Ezek. 4:12,15) in times of siege or other difficulties. The same Hebrew root, בער, can also mean "sweep away" or "purge" (KB 146 II, used over 20 times in Deuteronomy; and also 1 Kgs. 22:46; 2 Kgs. 23:24), but this is the only place it is used with that meaning. SPECIAL TOPIC: FIRE 14:11 "dogs will eat" Improper burial was a horrible thing (i.e., 1 Kgs. 13:22,24, the unnamed man of God). This terrible judgment is also found in 1 Kgs. 16:4 and 21:24. It is hinted at in Deut. 28:26). The same imagery is used in the curse formula of ANE treaties of the period. ▣ "for the Lord has spoken it" YHWH's word is always fulfilled (cf. Isa. 14:24; 25:10; 40:8; 45:23; 46:10; 55:8-11; 59:21; Matt. 24:35). YHWH's plans can be modified when His people repent but if not, its fulfillment is certain. The specific phrase found here is repeated often in 1 Kings to confirm a prophet's message (cf. 1 Kgs. 13:26; 15:29; 16:12,34; 17:16; 22:38). 14:13 This verse is mysterious. Apparently there was something about this child that expressed faith towards YHWH. He was the only child of Jeroboam who was properly buried (see SPECIAL TOPIC: BURIAL PRACTICES). The rabbis (i.e., Talmud ‒ b. Mo'ed Qat. 28b ) says he made a trip to the temple in Jerusalem but this is just more rabbinical folklore (AB, p. 380). SPECIAL TOPIC: RABBINICAL HERMENEUTICS 14:14 Does "Israel" here refer to Judah (cf 1 Kgs. 12:26) the northern ten tribes (v. 15) It is possible that #2 was fulfilled in Baasha (cf. 1 Kgs. 15:29). ▣ "this day and from now on" "this is the day, what? Even now" "today, even right now" TEV, NJB, Peshitta —omitted— "this first; and what next?" "this day and even now" "it is ready to happen" AB (p. 376) "this very day, even right now!" The MT has first part ADJECTIVE ‒ BDB 260, "this one" NOUN ‒ BDB 398, "day" second part CONJUNCTION ‒ "and" INTERROGATIVE ‒ BDB 552, "what" ADVERB ‒ BDB 168, "also" ADVERB ‒ BDB 773, "now," "at the time" No one knows what this means; no one suggests a simple, logical emendation.

1 Reis 14:15-16

14:15 The whole nation will be affected by Jeroboam's sin involving the two golden calves (cf. 2 Kgs. 17:7-17). ▣ "a reed shaken in the water" This is an idiom of instability and weakness. ▣ "He will uproot. . .will scatter them" This is a specific allusion to the Assyrian exile of Israel (cf. Lev. 26:33; Deut. 4:27; 28:64; 29:27-28; Josh. 23:15-16; 2 Kgs. 17:6; Ps. 44:11; Jer. 12:14; Ezek. 20:23). As YHWH took the Canaanites out of Canaan because of their iniquity (cf. Gen.1 5:12-21), so now He removes Israel (cf. 2 Kgs. 17:6) because of their idolatry! The Covenant is conditional! ▣ "Asherim" This (BDB 81) refers to the symbol of the female part of Canaanite fertility worship. It is either a carved stake (cf. 2 Kgs. 21:7) or a live tree, symbolizing the tree of life. SPECIAL TOPIC: FERTILITY WORSHIP OF THE ANE

1 Reis 14:17-18

14:17 "Tirzah" This was the capital after Shechem (cf 1 Kgs. 15:21,33; 16:6-9,15,23). 4:18 This refers to 1 Kgs. 14:13.

1 Reis 14:19-20

14:19 "the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel" This, like "the Book of the Acts of Solomon" (1 Kgs. 11:41) and "the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah" (1 Kgs. 14:29), are all lost to us. They are not the same as Chronicles. 14:20 See note at 1 Kgs. 2:10.

1 Reis 14:21-24

14:21-32 This is a summary of the reign of Solomon's son, Rehoboam (NIDOTTE, vol. 4, pp. 1127-1129). It is shockingly idolatrous! There is a brief account of how Rehoboam caused the Kingdon of Israel to split in 1 Kings 12. SPECIAL TOPIC: KINGS OF THE DIVIDED KINGDOM 14:21 "Jerusalem, the city which the Lord had chosen" See full note at 1 Kgs. 11:32,36. SPECIAL TOPIC: MORIAH, SALEM, JEBUS, ZION, JERUSALEM ▣ "His name" See SPECIAL TOPIC: "THE NAME" OF YHWH. 14:22 "Judah did evil in the sight of the Lord" Verses 23-24 list some of the idols that Rehoboam allowed to be made and spread throughout the land. sacred pillars ‒ Ba'al Asherim ‒ see note at v. 15; 1 Kgs. 15:12; 22:47 male cult prostitutes ‒ cf. Deut. 23:17; 2 Kgs. 23:7; this seems to refer to sexual partners of female worshipers SPECIAL TOPIC: FERTILITY WORSHIP OF THE ANE ▣ "to jealousy" This (BDB 888, KB 1109, Piel IMPERFECT with waw; NIDOTTE, vol. 3, p. 938) denotes YHWH's powerful covenant feelings for His covenant people. The Bible describes YHWH in familial terms. Father (Israel as child) Husband (Israel as lover) Idolatry was viewed as "spiritual adultery" (cf. Exod. 34:14-16; Lev. 17:7; 20:5-6; Num. 15:39; Deut. 31:16; Jdgs. 2:17; 8:27,33; 1 Chr. 5:29; Jer. 3:1; Ezek. 20:30; Hosea 2:7). In light of this rebellion, YHWH calls Himself a Jealous God (cf. Exod. 20:5; 34:14; Deut. 4:24; 5:9; 6:14-15; Josh. 24:19). The best place to see this powerful imagery is the book of Hosea, which describes YHWH as a faithful lover and Israel as a faithless wife. In Hosea YHWH's jealousy turns to forgiveness and restoration. SPECIAL TOPIC: THE FATHERHOOD OF GOD 14:23 Notice how wide spread this idolatry was. on every high hill beneath every luxuriant tree (cf. Isa. 57:5; Jer. 2:20; 3:2,6,13; 7:2; Ezek. 6:13; 20:28; Hosea 4:11-14) These worship sites were in every town.

1 Reis 14:25-28

14:25-26 Shishak (NIDOTTE, vol. 4, pp. 565-566) the king of Egypt, invaded Judah and took all the enormous wealth gathered by Solomon (Josephus, Antiq. 8.10.1-3, says Herodotus mentions this but has the wrong name, Sesotris, and it should be Shishak). There is some archaeological evidence that Shishak invaded Israel also, all the way to Megiddo (cf. 2 Chr. 12:1-12). It is possible that the ark and the furnishings and vessels of the temple were also taken to Egypt (cf. 2 Chr. 12:9). SPECIAL TOPIC: KINGS OF EGYPT 14:27 Rehoboam was so embarrassed about the loss of all the wealth, he made decorative shields of bronze to hang in the place of Solomons' gold ones (cf. 1 Kgs. 10:17).

1 Reis 14:29-31

14:31 The mother of the kings of Judah is always given, but not the kings of Israel. The formula summarizing the reigns are different (usually those of Judah are longer, which symbolizes Judah's superiority and legitimacy). Rehoboam's mother is named twice (vv. 21,31), but why is uncertain. ▣ NASB, NKJV, NRSV, NJB, REB, JPSOA "Abijam" TEV, Peshitta, Josephus (Antiq. 8.19.4) "Abijah" "Abiou" The MT has Abijam (BDB 4) but in 2 Chronicles the royal prince and later king of Judah is named Abijah (cf. 2 Chr. 11:20,22; 12:16; 13:1-4; etc.) but here (i.e., 15:1,7,8) he is named Abijam. It is possible this name means Abi ‒ my father Yam ‒ (is) Yam (Canaannite sea god) Possibly later editors changed the name. changed Abijah (v. 1) to Abijam (14:31) to shame him changed Abijam to Abijah to remove an offensive name (like Ishbaal to Ishbosheth) The name Abijah means "My father is YHWH." (v. 1) The royal son's name is similar to the prophet's name (Ahijah, v. 2).