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;

And Jeroboam's {H3379} wife {H802} arose {H6965}, and departed {H3212}, and came {H935} to Tirzah {H8656}: and when she came {H935} to the threshold {H5592} of the door {H1004}, the child {H5288} died {H4191};

Yarov'am's wife got up, left and went to Tirtzah. The moment she reached the threshold of the house, the boy died.

Then Jeroboam’s wife got up and departed for Tirzah, and as soon as she stepped over the threshold of the house, the boy died.

And Jeroboam’s wife arose, and departed, and came to Tirzah: andas she came to the threshold of the house, the child died.

Commentary

Context of 1 Kings 14:17

This verse marks the grim fulfillment of a divine prophecy against the house of King Jeroboam. Jeroboam, the first king of the northern kingdom of Israel, had gravely sinned against the Lord by establishing idolatrous worship at Dan and Bethel, setting up golden calves to prevent his people from returning to Jerusalem to worship (1 Kings 12:28-30). When his son, Abijah, became critically ill, Jeroboam sent his wife in disguise to the prophet Ahijah in Shiloh. Ahijah, though blind, was given a divine revelation and recognized Jeroboam's wife. He delivered a severe message of judgment, foretelling the complete destruction of Jeroboam's dynasty and, specifically, the immediate death of the sick child upon his mother's return to the city of Tirzah.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Judgment and Consequences of Disobedience: The death of Abijah is a direct and tragic consequence of Jeroboam's persistent idolatry and defiance against God's commands. It illustrates God's unwavering justice against sin, particularly against leaders who lead their people astray.
  • Prophetic Accuracy and God's Sovereignty: The precise fulfillment of Ahijah's prophecy—that the child would die the moment Jeroboam's wife crossed the threshold—underscores God's absolute sovereignty over life and death and the infallibility of His word (Isaiah 55:11). It demonstrates that God's plans and pronouncements are not subject to human timing or manipulation.
  • Mercy in Judgment: While a severe judgment, the child Abijah is noted as the only one of Jeroboam's family who would receive a proper burial, because "in him there is found some good thing toward the LORD God of Israel" (1 Kings 14:13). His early death spared him from witnessing the full destruction of his family and the subsequent suffering.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "came to the threshold of the door" highlights the immediate and exact nature of the prophecy's fulfillment. The Hebrew word for "threshold" (סַף - sap) literally means the sill or entrance. This detail emphasizes that God's word is not delayed or approximate; it is fulfilled precisely as declared, down to the exact moment of her entry into their home in Tirzah.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a powerful reminder of several timeless truths:

  • The Seriousness of Sin: Jeroboam's story reminds us that sin, especially idolatry and leading others away from God, carries severe consequences, not just for the individual but often for their lineage and nation.
  • The Reliability of God's Word: Just as God's judgment was precisely fulfilled, so too are His promises of blessing and salvation. We can trust that every word God speaks, whether of warning or comfort, will come to pass (Numbers 23:19).
  • God's Omniscience: God knew the precise moment the child would die, even before the woman began her journey back to Tirzah (Psalm 139:4). This affirms His complete knowledge and control over all events.
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 15:33

    In the third year of Asa king of Judah began Baasha the son of Ahijah to reign over all Israel in Tirzah, twenty and four years.

  • 1 Kings 16:23

    In the thirty and first year of Asa king of Judah began Omri to reign over Israel, twelve years: six years reigned he in Tirzah.

  • 1 Kings 15:21

    And it came to pass, when Baasha heard [thereof], that he left off building of Ramah, and dwelt in Tirzah.

  • 1 Kings 16:15

    ¶ In the twenty and seventh year of Asa king of Judah did Zimri reign seven days in Tirzah. And the people [were] encamped against Gibbethon, which [belonged] to the Philistines.

  • Song Of Solomon 6:4

    ¶ Thou [art] beautiful, O my love, as Tirzah, comely as Jerusalem, terrible as [an army] with banners.

  • 1 Samuel 4:18

    And it came to pass, when he made mention of the ark of God, that he fell from off the seat backward by the side of the gate, and his neck brake, and he died: for he was an old man, and heavy. And he had judged Israel forty years.

  • 1 Samuel 4:20

    And about the time of her death the women that stood by her said unto her, Fear not; for thou hast born a son. But she answered not, neither did she regard [it].
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