1 Kings 14:16

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

And he shall give {H5414} Israel {H3478} up {H5414} because {H1558} of the sins {H2403} of Jeroboam {H3379}, who did sin {H2398}, and who made Israel {H3478} to sin {H2398}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He will give up on Isra'el because of the sins of Yarov'am, which he committed himself, and with which he made Isra'el sin as well."

Berean Standard Bible

So He will give Israel over on account of the sins Jeroboam has committed and has caused Israel to commit.”

American Standard Version

And he will give Israel up because of the sins of Jeroboam, which he hath sinned, and wherewith he hath made Israel to sin.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
First Kings 14:16 delivers a severe prophetic indictment against the northern kingdom of Israel, declaring its impending abandonment and eventual exile by God. This judgment is directly attributed to the profound and pervasive sins of Jeroboam, Israel's first king, who not only personally transgressed divine commands but also actively led the entire nation into systemic idolatry, establishing a pattern of rebellion that would plague the kingdom for generations and ultimately seal its fate.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a pivotal moment within the prophetic oracle delivered by the aged prophet Ahijah of Shiloh to Jeroboam's wife, who had disguised herself to inquire about their ailing son, Abijah. The broader narrative of [1 Kings 11-14](/1_kings/11 "1 Kings 11-14 - The Division of the Kingdom and Jeroboam's Reign") details the division of the united kingdom of Israel following Solomon's apostasy and the subsequent rise of Jeroboam as king over the ten northern tribes. Despite God's initial promise to establish a lasting dynasty for Jeroboam if he walked in obedience, mirroring David's faithfulness ([1 Kings 11:38](/1_kings/11-38 "1 Kings 11:38 - God's Promise to Jeroboam")), Jeroboam quickly succumbed to political fear and expediency. His establishment of rival worship centers at Bethel and Dan, complete with golden calves, was a direct and egregious violation of the Mosaic covenant, setting a destructive spiritual trajectory for the entire northern kingdom. Ahijah's prophecy here serves as God's definitive pronouncement of judgment against Jeroboam's house and, by extension, against the nation that followed his lead.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop is the immediate aftermath of the kingdom's division (c. 931 BCE). Jeroboam, fearing that his subjects would return to Jerusalem for worship and potentially shift their allegiance back to the Davidic dynasty in Judah, implemented a religious system designed to secure his political power. This included the construction of golden calves, reminiscent of the sin at Mount Sinai ([Exodus 32](/exodus/32 "Exodus 32 - The Golden Calf")), appointing non-Levitical priests, and instituting new feast days. These actions were not merely deviations but direct assaults on the covenant identity of Israel, which was predicated on exclusive worship of Yahweh and adherence to the Law given through Moses. The cultural implications were profound: Jeroboam effectively institutionalized idolatry, normalizing practices that were anathema to Israel's unique relationship with God. This act of national apostasy became the defining characteristic of the northern kingdom's spiritual decline, repeatedly referenced in the biblical text as "the sins of Jeroboam."

* **Key Themes:** The verse powerfully encapsulates several overarching themes prevalent in the Books of Kings. Foremost is the **Gravity of Leadership Sin**, demonstrating that the actions of a nation's leader have profound, far-reaching consequences, extending beyond personal transgression to corrupt the entire populace. Jeroboam's sin was not merely private but public and institutional, directly leading Israel astray from their covenant obligations. This ties into the theme of **Corporate Responsibility and Consequences**, where the nation as a whole suffers the divine judgment initiated by its leadership's rebellion. The primary "sin of Jeroboam" was **Idolatry as a Causal Sin**, specifically the establishment of calf worship, a direct violation of the [Second Commandment](/exodus/20-4 "Exodus 20:4 - The Second Commandment"). This spiritual rebellion is presented as the root cause of Israel's eventual downfall and exile. Finally, the declaration that God "shall give Israel up" underscores the theme of **Divine Judgment and Sovereignty**, affirming God's active involvement in the affairs of nations, His unwavering justice, and His ultimate control over the destiny of His people in response to their persistent disobedience.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Give up (Hebrew, _nātan_):** This verb carries the sense of "to give," "to place," or "to deliver." In this context, it signifies God's active decision to abandon or hand over Israel to the consequences of their sin, implying a withdrawal of divine protection and favor. It is a declaration of judgment, where God Himself is the agent who will deliver Israel into the hands of their enemies or into exile, rather than continuing to preserve them.
* **Sin (Hebrew, _chāṭā’_):** This foundational biblical term means "to miss the mark," "to go astray," or "to fall short." Its repetition in the phrase "who did sin, and who made Israel to sin" is crucial. The first instance, "who did sin," refers to Jeroboam's personal, direct transgression against God's explicit commands and promises. The second instance, "who made Israel to sin," uses the Hiphil (causative) stem of the verb, emphasizing Jeroboam's active and direct role in causing or leading the entire nation into idolatry and covenant unfaithfulness. This highlights his profound and damaging influence as a leader.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he shall give Israel up":** This clause pronounces God's sovereign judgment. The "he" refers to God, indicating His deliberate action to withdraw His protective hand from Israel and deliver them over to the consequences of their rebellion. This foreshadows the eventual Assyrian conquest and exile of the northern kingdom, signifying a complete divine abandonment in the face of persistent apostasy.
* **"because of the sins of Jeroboam":** This phrase directly attributes the impending national catastrophe to the specific transgressions initiated and perpetuated by Jeroboam. While the nation also bears responsibility for following him, Jeroboam's actions are identified as the primary catalyst for God's judgment against the entire kingdom. His idolatry and institutionalized false worship became the foundational sin of the northern kingdom.
* **"who did sin":** This part of the indictment focuses on Jeroboam's personal culpability. Despite God's gracious promises and warnings, Jeroboam consciously chose to disobey, prioritizing political security over covenant fidelity. His actions were a direct affront to God's authority and holiness.
* **"and who made Israel to sin":** This second part of the indictment highlights the far more grievous aspect of Jeroboam's transgression: his role as a spiritual stumbling block for the entire nation. He didn't just sin privately; he established a system of worship that led millions astray from the true God, institutionalizing idolatry and making it virtually impossible for subsequent kings to lead the people back to covenant obedience without dismantling the very foundations of the northern kingdom's religious and political structure.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message of judgment. **Repetition** is prominent in the phrase "who did sin, and who made Israel to sin," which serves to underscore the dual nature of Jeroboam's guilt: his personal transgression and his catastrophic influence on the nation. This repetition amplifies the severity of his actions and their widespread impact. The verse also functions as a clear example of **Cause and Effect**, directly linking Israel's impending "giving up" to the "sins of Jeroboam." This establishes a theological principle that disobedience, particularly institutionalized idolatry, inevitably leads to divine judgment. Furthermore, the declaration carries a strong element of **Foreshadowing**, predicting the eventual downfall and exile of the northern kingdom, a fate that would indeed materialize centuries later with the Assyrian conquest. The language also implies **Divine Agency**, with "he shall give Israel up" clearly identifying God as the active subject of this judgment, emphasizing His sovereignty and justice in holding His people accountable to the covenant.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The pronouncement in 1 Kings 14:16 resonates deeply with core biblical themes of covenant, leadership, and divine justice. Jeroboam's actions represent a profound breach of the Mosaic covenant, which demanded exclusive worship of Yahweh and adherence to His laws. His institutionalization of idolatry was not merely a political maneuver but a spiritual rebellion that fundamentally corrupted Israel's identity as God's chosen people. This verse underscores the principle that national well-being is intrinsically linked to covenant faithfulness, and that persistent idolatry inevitably invites divine judgment. It also highlights the immense spiritual responsibility of leaders, whose choices can either guide a nation towards righteousness or plunge it into apostasy, with far-reaching consequences that transcend generations. The "sins of Jeroboam" became a recurring motif throughout the Books of Kings, serving as a constant reminder of the foundational error that led to the northern kingdom's eventual destruction.

* [Deuteronomy 28:15-68](/deuteronomy/28-15 "Deuteronomy 28:15-68 - Covenant Curses for Disobedience")
* [Hosea 4:1-2](/hosea/4-1 "Hosea 4:1-2 - Israel's Spiritual Adultery and Judgment")
* [2 Kings 17:7-18](/2_kings/17-7 "2 Kings 17:7-18 - The Reasons for Israel's Exile")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
First Kings 14:16 serves as a sobering reminder of the profound impact of leadership, the insidious nature of sin, and the unwavering justice of God. For contemporary believers, this passage calls for a deep introspection into the choices we make, particularly those in positions of influence, whether in the church, family, workplace, or community. Jeroboam's fear-driven decision to compromise spiritual truth for political expediency offers a stark warning against sacrificing integrity and fidelity to God for perceived security, popularity, or material gain. Our personal choices, especially when we are leading others, have a ripple effect that can either build up or tear down. This verse compels us to consider the long-term spiritual consequences of our actions, urging us to cultivate a steadfast commitment to God's truth, even when it is costly or unpopular. It also reinforces the truth that God, in His justice, holds all people accountable, and His warnings are given out of love, inviting repentance before judgment falls.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I, like Jeroboam, be tempted to compromise spiritual principles for personal or perceived security?**
* **How do my personal choices, especially in areas of influence, potentially "make others to sin" or lead them astray from God's path?**
* **What "idols" (whether material possessions, power, or approval) might I be prioritizing over my exclusive worship and obedience to God?**
* **How can I actively work to break cycles of sin and lead others toward righteousness in my sphere of influence?**

### FAQ
**What exactly were "the sins of Jeroboam" that led to such severe judgment?**

Answer: The "sins of Jeroboam" primarily refer to his establishment of an alternative religious system in the northern kingdom, designed to prevent his subjects from returning to Jerusalem to worship. This system involved several egregious violations of God's Law:
1. **Golden Calves:** Jeroboam set up golden calves in Bethel and Dan, declaring, "Behold your gods, O Israel, which brought you up out of the land of Egypt!" ([1 Kings 12:28](/1_kings/12-28 "1 Kings 12:28 - Jeroboam's Golden Calves")). This was a direct violation of the [Second Commandment](/exodus/20-4 "Exodus 20:4 - The Second Commandment") against idolatry and graven images.
2. **Unauthorized Priesthood:** He appointed priests who were not from the tribe of Levi, nor from the Aaronic lineage, which was the divinely ordained priesthood ([1 Kings 12:31](/1_kings/12-31 "1 Kings 12:31 - Jeroboam's Unauthorized Priests")).
3. **Altered Feast Days:** He changed the dates of the traditional Israelite feasts, particularly the Feast of Tabernacles, moving it from the seventh month to the eighth month ([1 Kings 12:32](/1_kings/12-32 "1 Kings 12:32 - Jeroboam Changes Feast Days")).
These actions were not merely administrative changes but a fundamental redefinition of Israel's worship, leading the nation into systemic apostasy and away from the true God.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The tragic account of Jeroboam, who "made Israel to sin," stands in stark contrast to the perfect and redemptive leadership of Jesus Christ. Jeroboam, driven by fear and political ambition, led his people into idolatry and away from the covenant, ultimately resulting in their judgment and exile. Jesus, the true King of Israel and the Son of God, came not to lead His people into sin, but to deliver them from it. Unlike Jeroboam, who sought to preserve his earthly kingdom through unholy means, Jesus willingly laid down His life, becoming the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), to establish an eternal, spiritual kingdom. Where Jeroboam caused Israel to stumble and fall, Jesus, our [great High Priest](/hebrews/4-14 "Hebrews 4:14 - Our Great High Priest"), perfectly fulfilled the Law and bore the full weight of our sin on the cross ([1 Peter 2:24](/1_peter/2-24 "1 Peter 2:24 - Bearing Our Sins")), offering forgiveness and reconciliation. He is the Good Shepherd who leads His sheep to abundant life ([John 10:10](/john/10-10 "John 10:10 - Life Abundant")), not to destruction. Thus, Jeroboam's failure highlights the desperate need for a perfect King who would not only "do no sin" but also "make His people righteous" ([Isaiah 53:11](/isaiah/53-11 "Isaiah 53:11 - The Righteous Servant")), a role flawlessly fulfilled by Jesus, our Lord and Savior.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Kings 16:2

Forasmuch as I exalted thee out of the dust, and made thee prince over my people Israel; and thou hast walked in the way of Jeroboam, and hast made my people Israel to sin, to provoke me to anger with their sins;

1 Kings 13:34

And this thing became sin unto the house of Jeroboam, even to cut [it] off, and to destroy [it] from off the face of the earth.

1 Kings 15:34

And he did evil in the sight of the LORD, and walked in the way of Jeroboam, and in his sin wherewith he made Israel to sin.

1 Kings 15:30

Because of the sins of Jeroboam which he sinned, and which he made Israel sin, by his provocation wherewith he provoked the LORD God of Israel to anger.

1 Kings 12:30

And this thing became a sin: for the people went [to worship] before the one, [even] unto Dan.

Matthew 18:7

¶ Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!

Hosea 9:16

Ephraim is smitten, their root is dried up, they shall bear no fruit: yea, though they bring forth, yet will I slay [even] the beloved [fruit] of their womb.