1 Kings 14:12

Arise thou therefore, get thee to thine own house: [and] when thy feet enter into the city, the child shall die.

Arise {H6965} thou therefore, get {H3212} thee to thine own house {H1004}: and when thy feet {H7272} enter {H935} into the city {H5892}, the child {H3206} shall die {H4191}.

So get up and go home; when your feet enter the city, the boy will die.

As for you, get up and go home. When your feet enter the city, the child will die.

Arise thou therefore, get thee to thy house: and when thy feet enter into the city, the child shall die.

Commentary

1 Kings 14:12 delivers a stark and immediate prophecy from the prophet Ahijah to King Jeroboam's wife, concerning the death of their son, Abijah. This verse underscores the swift and certain nature of divine judgment, particularly against the backdrop of Jeroboam's profound apostasy.

Context

This verse is part of a severe prophetic pronouncement delivered by the aging and blind prophet Ahijah the Shilonite. King Jeroboam, who had been elevated to the throne of Israel by divine appointment, had grievously sinned by establishing idol worship with golden calves in Dan and Bethel, leading the northern kingdom into deep spiritual rebellion. When his son, Abijah, fell ill, Jeroboam sent his wife, disguised, to inquire of Ahijah, the same prophet who had previously foretold Jeroboam's rise to power. However, God revealed her disguise to Ahijah, and through him, delivered a devastating message of judgment upon Jeroboam's house. Verses 1 Kings 14:7-11 detail the reasons for this judgment, citing Jeroboam's abandonment of God's law and his promotion of idolatry. Verse 12 is the immediate, personal consequence of this judgment on the royal family.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment and Consequences: The verse powerfully illustrates God's active involvement in human affairs and His righteous judgment against sin, especially idolatry and disobedience. The death of the child is a direct and undeniable consequence of Jeroboam's actions.
  • Prophetic Certainty: Ahijah's words are presented as an absolute decree from God. The phrase "when thy feet enter into the city, the child shall die" emphasizes the precise timing and the inevitability of the prophecy's fulfillment, leaving no room for doubt or delay.
  • God's Omniscience: Even though Jeroboam's wife came disguised, God knew her identity and purpose, revealing it to His prophet. This highlights God's perfect knowledge and sovereign control over all circumstances.
  • Impact of Leadership: Jeroboam's sins, as king, had far-reaching consequences, not only for the nation of Israel but also for his own family, demonstrating the weighty responsibility of those in authority.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase translated "Arise thou therefore, get thee to thine own house" carries an imperative tone, conveying urgency and the command for immediate departure. The specific timing, "when thy feet enter into the city," is a dramatic and precise detail. It signifies that the judgment is not merely predicted but sealed and will be executed at the very threshold of her return, making the death a direct, unmistakable act of divine will.

Related Scriptures

  • The broader context of Jeroboam's sin and the judgment upon his house is found in 1 Kings 14:7-11.
  • The specific reason for the judgment, Jeroboam's establishment of idol worship, is detailed in 1 Kings 12:28-30.
  • Interestingly, the very next verse, 1 Kings 14:13, reveals that the child, Abijah, was the only one of Jeroboam's house who would receive a proper burial, because "there is found in him some good thing toward the LORD God of Israel." This adds a layer of complexity, showing God's discernment even within judgment.
  • For other examples of God's word being fulfilled precisely, consider Isaiah 55:11, which states that God's word "shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please."

Practical Application

This verse serves as a sober reminder of the seriousness of disobedience to God, especially for those in positions of influence. It highlights that God's word is true and His judgments are certain, even if they seem harsh from a human perspective. It encourages believers to take God's commands seriously and to understand that actions, particularly those that lead others astray, have profound and often painful consequences. Furthermore, it reinforces the concept of God's sovereignty and His unwavering commitment to justice, reminding us that He sees all and acts according to His perfect will.

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

  • 1 Kings 14:16

    And he shall give Israel up because of the sins of Jeroboam, who did sin, and who made Israel to sin.

  • 1 Kings 14:17

    And Jeroboam's wife arose, and departed, and came to Tirzah: [and] when she came to the threshold of the door, the child died;

  • 2 Kings 1:6

    And they said unto him, There came a man up to meet us, and said unto us, Go, turn again unto the king that sent you, and say unto him, Thus saith the LORD, [Is it] not because [there is] not a God in Israel, [that] thou sendest to enquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekron? therefore thou shalt not come down from that bed on which thou art gone up, but shalt surely die.

  • 2 Kings 1:16

    And he said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Forasmuch as thou hast sent messengers to enquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekron, [is it] not because [there is] no God in Israel to enquire of his word? therefore thou shalt not come down off that bed on which thou art gone up, but shalt surely die.

  • 1 Kings 14:3

    And take with thee ten loaves, and cracknels, and a cruse of honey, and go to him: he shall tell thee what shall become of the child.

  • John 4:50

    Jesus saith unto him, Go thy way; thy son liveth. And the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken unto him, and he went his way.

  • John 4:52

    Then enquired he of them the hour when he began to amend. And they said unto him, Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him.
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