1 Kings 14:10

Therefore, behold, I will bring evil upon the house of Jeroboam, and will cut off from Jeroboam him that pisseth against the wall, [and] him that is shut up and left in Israel, and will take away the remnant of the house of Jeroboam, as a man taketh away dung, till it be all gone.

Therefore, behold, I will bring {H935} evil {H7451} upon the house {H1004} of Jeroboam {H3379}, and will cut off {H3772} from Jeroboam {H3379} him that pisseth {H8366} against the wall {H7023}, and him that is shut up {H6113} and left {H5800} in Israel {H3478}, and will take away {H1197} the remnant {H310} of the house {H1004} of Jeroboam {H3379}, as a man taketh away {H1197} dung {H1557}, till it be all gone {H8552}.

Therefore, I will now bring disaster on the house of Yarov'am. I will cut off every male of Yarov'am's line, whether a slave or free in Isra'el; I will sweep away the house of Yarov'am as completely as when someone sweeps away dung until it's all gone.

Because of all this, behold, I am bringing disaster on the house of Jeroboam: I will cut off from Jeroboam every male, both slave and free, in Israel; I will burn up the house of Jeroboam as one burns up dung until it is gone!

therefore, behold, I will bring evil upon the house of Jeroboam, and will cut off from Jeroboam every man-child, him that is shut up and him that is left at large in Israel, and will utterly sweep away the house of Jeroboam, as a man sweepeth away dung, till it be all gone.

Commentary

1 Kings 14:10 delivers a stark prophecy of divine judgment against the house of King Jeroboam, highlighting the severe consequences of his apostasy and idolatry. This verse, spoken through the prophet Ahijah, foretells the complete eradication of Jeroboam's male lineage and the utter disgrace that would befall his dynasty.

Context of the Prophecy

This powerful declaration comes at a critical juncture in the history of the divided kingdom. King Jeroboam I, the first king of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, had led his people astray by establishing golden calves in Bethel and Dan, creating a new, unauthorized priesthood, and deviating from the worship of the Lord in Jerusalem. This was a direct affront to God's covenant with Israel and a betrayal of the trust placed in him when the kingdom was split from Judah. The prophecy is delivered to Jeroboam's wife, who had come in disguise to inquire about their sick son, Abijah. God's response, through Ahijah, was not a message of hope but of impending doom, directly addressing Jeroboam's profound sin of leading Israel into idolatry and causing them to sin, a theme frequently echoed throughout the books of Kings (see 1 Kings 12:28-30).

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Judgment and Retribution: The verse underscores God's absolute sovereignty and His intolerance for idolatry and disobedience. The "evil" brought upon Jeroboam's house refers to calamity and disaster, a direct consequence of his actions.
  • Consequences of Sin: Jeroboam's personal and leadership sins had far-reaching, devastating repercussions not only for himself but for his entire family line. This serves as a powerful reminder that rebellion against God carries severe penalties.
  • Total Eradication: The language employed signifies a complete and humiliating end to Jeroboam's dynasty. Phrases like "cut off him that pisseth against the wall" and "take away the remnant... as a man taketh away dung" emphasize the totality and contempt with which his house would be removed.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV's vivid language provides deep insight into the severity of the judgment:

  • "him that pisseth against the wall": This is a strong, ancient Semitic idiom used to denote every male, from the lowest to the highest. It signifies the complete extermination of the male line, ensuring no heir would remain to continue the name or kingdom. This graphic phrase emphasizes the utter destruction of Jeroboam's legacy.
  • "as a man taketh away dung": This powerful metaphor illustrates the complete removal and utter contempt God had for Jeroboam's house due to their wickedness. It implies that the dynasty would be swept away as something foul and worthless, leaving no trace.

Related Scriptures

The fulfillment of this prophecy is recorded shortly after in 1 Kings 15:29, when Baasha became king and struck down all of Jeroboam's house, leaving none alive. This serves as a testament to the certainty of God's prophetic word and His unwavering justice. The principle that obedience leads to blessing and disobedience to judgment is a foundational truth throughout Scripture, as seen in passages like Deuteronomy 28:15ff.

Practical Application

For believers today, 1 Kings 14:10 serves as a sober warning about the seriousness of sin, especially leading others astray from God. It highlights the importance of:

  • Faithful Leadership: Those in positions of influence, whether in family, church, or society, bear a greater responsibility to lead righteously, as their actions can have profound, far-reaching consequences.
  • Avoiding Idolatry: While modern idolatry may not involve golden calves, anything that takes God's rightful place in our lives—money, power, reputation, or even good things—can become an idol. This verse reminds us of God's zealousness for exclusive worship.
  • God's Justice: Though God is merciful, He is also just. This passage assures us that God will ultimately deal with unrepentant sin and rebellion, reinforcing His moral order in the world.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Kings 14:26

    For the LORD saw the affliction of Israel, [that it was] very bitter: for [there was] not any shut up, nor any left, nor any helper for Israel.

  • Deuteronomy 32:36

    For the LORD shall judge his people, and repent himself for his servants, when he seeth that [their] power is gone, and [there is] none shut up, or left.

  • 1 Kings 21:21

    Behold, I will bring evil upon thee, and will take away thy posterity, and will cut off from Ahab him that pisseth against the wall, and him that is shut up and left in Israel,

  • 2 Kings 9:8

    For the whole house of Ahab shall perish: and I will cut off from Ahab him that pisseth against the wall, and him that is shut up and left in Israel:

  • 2 Kings 9:9

    And I will make the house of Ahab like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and like the house of Baasha the son of Ahijah:

  • 1 Samuel 25:22

    So and more also do God unto the enemies of David, if I leave of all that [pertain] to him by the morning light any that pisseth against the wall.

  • Psalms 83:10

    [Which] perished at Endor: they became [as] dung for the earth.