1 Kings 14:4

KJV

And Jeroboam's wife did so, and arose, and went to Shiloh, and came to the house of Ahijah. But Ahijah could not see; for his eyes were set by reason of his age.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Jeroboam's {H3379} wife {H802} did so {H6213}, and arose {H6965}, and went {H3212} to Shiloh {H7887}, and came {H935} to the house {H1004} of Ahijah {H281}. But Ahijah {H281} could {H3201} not see {H7200}; for his eyes {H5869} were set {H6965} by reason of his age {H7869}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Yarov'am's wife did this; she set out, went to Shiloh and arrived at the house of Achiyah. Now Achiyah could not see, because his eyes were dim with age.

Berean Standard Bible

Jeroboam’s wife did as instructed; she arose and went to Shiloh and arrived at Ahijah’s house. Now Ahijah could not see, for his eyes were dim because of his age.

American Standard Version

And Jeroboam’s wife did so, and arose, and went to Shiloh, and came to the house of Ahijah. Now Ahijah could not see; for his eyes were set by reason of his age.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Details the clandestine journey of Jeroboam's wife to the prophet Ahijah in Shiloh, seeking a divine word concerning her sick son, Abijah. This verse highlights Jeroboam's deep hypocrisy, as he, the king who led Israel into idolatry, now desperately seeks guidance from the very God he rejected. Crucially, it introduces Ahijah, the aged prophet, whose physical blindness due to old age paradoxically underscores the miraculous nature of the divine revelation he is about to receive, demonstrating God's ability to see through all human disguises and communicate His truth regardless of human limitations.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a pivotal moment following Jeroboam's establishment of idolatrous worship in the Northern Kingdom of Israel. After the division of the kingdom, Jeroboam, fearing that his people would return to Jerusalem to worship the Lord, set up golden calves in Dan and Bethel, declaring, "[It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem. Behold your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!](/1_kings/12-28 "1 Kings 12:28 - Jeroboam's Golden Calves")" ([1 Kings 12:28](/1_kings/12-28 "1 Kings 12:28 - Jeroboam's Golden Calves")). This act of apostasy established a pattern of sin for the northern kingdom. Now, in [1 Kings 14](/1_kings/14 "1 Kings 14 - Ahijah's Prophecy Against Jeroboam"), Jeroboam's son, Abijah, falls ill. In a desperate and hypocritical move, Jeroboam sends his wife, disguised, to the prophet Ahijah in Shiloh. This prophet is significant because he was the one who initially prophesied Jeroboam's kingship over ten tribes, promising him a lasting dynasty if he would obey God's commands ([1 Kings 11:29-39](/1_kings/11-29 "1 Kings 11:29-39 - Ahijah's Prophecy to Jeroboam")). The current visit, therefore, sets the stage for a dramatic reversal of that earlier promise, leading to a pronouncement of severe judgment against Jeroboam's house.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events of [1 Kings 14](/1_kings/14 "1 Kings 14 - Ahijah's Prophecy Against Jeroboam") occur during the early years of the divided monarchy, specifically during the reign of Jeroboam I, the first king of the Northern Kingdom of Israel (Israel). Following the death of Solomon, the kingdom split due to Rehoboam's harsh policies ([1 Kings 12:1-24](/1_kings/12-1 "1 Kings 12:1-24 - The Division of the Kingdom")). Jeroboam's primary concern was to secure his reign and prevent his subjects from returning to the Davidic dynasty in Jerusalem for worship. His solution was to establish alternative religious centers and a new priesthood, fundamentally altering the covenant relationship between Israel and Yahweh. Culturally, it was common for kings and individuals to seek divine counsel from prophets during times of crisis, even if they generally disregarded God's laws. The act of disguise, as seen with Jeroboam's wife, was a cultural attempt to manipulate the situation, perhaps hoping to receive a more favorable oracle if the prophet did not know the true identity of the petitioner. Shiloh, though no longer the central sanctuary it was during the time of the Judges ([Joshua 18:1](/joshua/18-1 "Joshua 18:1 - The Tabernacle at Shiloh")), still retained a spiritual significance as a place where God's prophets resided.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes to several overarching themes within [1 Kings](/1_kings/1 "1 Kings - The Reign of Kings"):
* **Divine Revelation Amidst Human Limitations:** The most striking theme is the contrast between Ahijah's physical blindness due to old age and his profound spiritual insight. God's ability to supernaturally reveal the identity of Jeroboam's disguised wife and the impending message, despite Ahijah's inability to see, powerfully demonstrates that divine truth is not dependent on human faculties but flows directly from God's sovereignty. This highlights God's omniscience and His power to communicate His will through chosen vessels, even those with physical frailties.
* **The Consequences of Apostasy and Hypocrisy:** Jeroboam's actions throughout his reign, particularly his establishment of idolatry, represent a profound apostasy from the Lord. His decision to send his wife in disguise to a prophet of Yahweh, rather than genuinely repenting, underscores his deep hypocrisy. This verse sets the stage for the severe judgment that will be pronounced against his house, illustrating the inevitable and dire consequences of persistent disobedience and a superficial, self-serving approach to God.
* **God's Unwavering Justice:** Despite Jeroboam's attempts at deception, God's justice is unswayed. The fact that the prophet, though blind, is fully aware of the situation before Jeroboam's wife even speaks, emphasizes that God sees and knows all. This encounter is not an opportunity for Jeroboam to escape consequences but rather a confirmation of God's righteous judgment against unrepentant sin, even in the lives of kings.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Shiloh (Hebrew, _Shiloh'_):** A historically significant town in Ephraim, located north of Bethel. During the period of the Judges, Shiloh was the primary location of the Tabernacle and the Ark of the Covenant ([Joshua 18:1](/joshua/18-1 "Joshua 18:1 - The Tabernacle at Shiloh"); [1 Samuel 1:3](/1_samuel/1-3 "1 Samuel 1:3 - Elkanah's Annual Worship at Shiloh")). Although its prominence as a central sanctuary had waned by the time of Jeroboam, it still housed prophets of the Lord, indicating its continued, albeit diminished, spiritual importance as a place where God's word could be sought, even by those who had abandoned the true worship in Jerusalem.
* **Ahijah (Hebrew, _'Achiyah'_):** Known as Ahijah the Shilonite, he was a prophet of the Lord who had previously delivered a crucial prophecy to Jeroboam himself, promising him the kingship over ten tribes of Israel if he would obey God's commandments ([1 Kings 11:29-39](/1_kings/11-29 "1 Kings 11:29-39 - Ahijah's Prophecy to Jeroboam")). His presence in Shiloh and his past interaction with Jeroboam make him the logical, yet ironic, choice for Jeroboam to consult in his time of crisis. His role here is to deliver a message of judgment, directly contrasting his earlier message of promise, due to Jeroboam's failure to obey.
* **"eyes were set" (Hebrew, _qāmū ʿênāyw'_):** This phrase literally means "his eyes stood still" or "his eyes were fixed." It denotes a state of severe, permanent blindness, likely due to advanced age. The King James Version's "set" conveys this immobility. This physical condition is crucial for the narrative, as it highlights the supernatural nature of the revelation Ahijah receives. His spiritual insight is clearly not derived from physical sight, thereby emphasizing that the message comes directly and solely from God, not from any human perception or trickery.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Jeroboam's wife did so, and arose, and went to Shiloh":** This clause indicates the immediate obedience of Jeroboam's wife to her husband's command given in the preceding verses ([1 Kings 14:2-3](/1_kings/14-2 "1 Kings 14:2-3 - Jeroboam Sends His Wife to Ahijah")). The phrase "did so" implicitly includes the detail from [1 Kings 14:2](/1_kings/14-2 "1 Kings 14:2 - Jeroboam Instructs His Wife to Disguise Herself") that she was to disguise herself. Her journey to Shiloh, a significant religious site, underscores the desperation of Jeroboam's situation and his hypocritical attempt to seek God's word while simultaneously rejecting His covenant.
* **"and came to the house of Ahijah":** This specifies the destination of her journey, the dwelling of the prophet Ahijah. The act of coming to the prophet's house signifies her intention to receive a direct oracle from the Lord, indicating that Ahijah was recognized as a legitimate conduit for divine revelation, even by those who had strayed from God's path.
* **"But Ahijah could not see; for his eyes were set by reason of his age":** This final clause provides a crucial detail about Ahijah's physical condition. His severe blindness due to old age is emphasized, setting the stage for the dramatic and miraculous divine intervention that follows. This physical limitation serves to heighten the impact of the subsequent revelation, making it clear that Ahijah's knowledge of Jeroboam's wife's identity and the message he is to deliver comes from a supernatural source, not from his own physical senses or any human trickery.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. **Contrast** is prominent, juxtaposing Ahijah's physical blindness with his profound spiritual insight, emphasizing that God's revelation transcends human limitations. This also creates a stark **irony**, as Jeroboam's wife attempts to deceive a physically blind man, yet God ensures that the prophet "sees" through her disguise with divine clarity. This act of deception by Jeroboam's wife, and God's immediate exposure of it, serves as **foreshadowing** for the larger theme of God's omniscience and His ability to expose the hidden sins and intentions of Jeroboam and his house, leading to the severe judgment that follows in the subsequent verses. The narrative structure here builds suspense, preparing the reader for the powerful and direct divine confrontation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse powerfully illustrates God's unhindered omniscience and His sovereign ability to communicate His will, even through physically limited vessels. Jeroboam's attempt to deceive the prophet highlights the futility of trying to hide anything from God, who sees beyond all human disguises and knows the true intentions of the heart. It underscores the biblical truth that God's word is not constrained by human frailty or deception; rather, it is supernaturally empowered to reveal truth and pronounce judgment. The scene sets the stage for a divine confrontation that exposes the spiritual blindness of Jeroboam, who, despite his desperate need, refuses genuine repentance, ultimately leading to the downfall of his dynasty. This serves as a sobering reminder that seeking God only in crisis, without a foundation of consistent obedience and sincere repentance, will not avert the consequences of sin.

* [1 Samuel 3:1-10](/1_samuel/3-1 "1 Samuel 3:1-10 - Samuel's Call and God's Revelation") - God reveals Himself to young Samuel, demonstrating His ability to speak through chosen individuals regardless of their age or experience.
* [Psalm 139:1-4](/psalms/139-1 "Psalm 139:1-4 - God's Omniscience") - Emphasizes God's comprehensive knowledge of all human actions, thoughts, and intentions, highlighting the futility of Jeroboam's attempted disguise.
* [Hebrews 4:13](/hebrews/4-13 "Hebrews 4:13 - God's Omniscience") - Reaffirms that "nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight; everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The scene in 1 Kings 14:4 offers profound insights into the nature of God and the human heart. Jeroboam's desperate, yet hypocritical, attempt to seek God's word while simultaneously rejecting His commands is a stark warning. It reveals the human tendency to compartmentalize faith—seeking divine intervention only when convenient or in times of crisis, rather than committing to a life of consistent obedience and genuine repentance. God, however, is not fooled by our disguises or our half-hearted approaches. Just as Ahijah, though physically blind, was supernaturally enabled to see through Jeroboam's wife's deception, so too does God see our true motives and the state of our hearts. This narrative calls us to examine our own relationship with God: Do we truly seek Him with integrity, or do we, like Jeroboam, only turn to Him when trouble strikes, hoping for a favorable outcome without a change of heart? The power of God's word, delivered through a frail prophet, reminds us that His truth will always prevail, exposing all pretense and calling us to a deeper, more authentic faith.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Jeroboam's decision to send his wife in disguise challenge our own tendencies to present a false front to God or others when we are in trouble?**
* **In what areas of your life might you be seeking God's help without a genuine commitment to obey His commands?**
* **How does Ahijah's physical blindness, coupled with his spiritual insight, encourage you about God's ability to work through imperfect vessels, including yourself?**
* **What does this passage teach us about the futility of attempting to hide our true intentions or spiritual state from an omniscient God?**

### FAQ
**Why did Jeroboam send his wife in disguise to Ahijah?**

Answer: Jeroboam sent his wife in disguise primarily to conceal her identity and, by extension, his own. As the king who had deliberately led the Northern Kingdom into idolatry by establishing golden calves at Dan and Bethel, Jeroboam was in direct rebellion against the Lord. He likely understood that a prophet of Yahweh, like Ahijah, would not look favorably upon him or his house. By sending his wife disguised as a common woman, he hoped to elicit an unbiased or even favorable prophecy concerning his sick son without the prophet knowing he was dealing with the apostate king's family. This act reveals Jeroboam's deep hypocrisy: he was willing to seek God's word when in personal crisis, but unwilling to repent of his systemic sin against God's covenant. He wanted the benefits of divine revelation without acknowledging his sin or the prophet's authority over him.

**What was the significance of Shiloh in this context?**

Answer: Shiloh held immense historical and religious significance for Israel. It was the primary location of the Tabernacle and the Ark of the Covenant during the period of the Judges, serving as the central worship site before the construction of Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem ([Joshua 18:1](/joshua/18-1 "Joshua 18:1 - The Tabernacle at Shiloh"); [1 Samuel 1:3](/1_samuel/1-3 "1 Samuel 1:3 - Elkanah's Annual Worship at Shiloh")). Although its prominence had declined after the Ark was captured by the Philistines and later moved to Jerusalem, Shiloh still retained a spiritual aura. The presence of a prophet like Ahijah in Shiloh indicated that it remained a place where God's word could be sought, even if it was no longer the central hub of Israelite worship. Jeroboam's choice of Shiloh suggests he knew where true prophetic authority resided, even as he actively undermined the legitimate worship of Yahweh in Jerusalem.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of Jeroboam's wife seeking a word from the physically blind Ahijah, only for God to supernaturally reveal her identity and the impending judgment, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment. Ahijah, a prophet whose physical limitations highlighted his divine insight, foreshadows Christ as the ultimate Prophet ([Deuteronomy 18:15](/deuteronomy/18-15 "Deuteronomy 18:15 - The Prophet Like Moses"); [Acts 3:22](/acts/3-22 "Acts 3:22 - Peter's Sermon on the Prophet Like Moses")), who possesses perfect and unhindered divine knowledge. Unlike Jeroboam's wife's futile attempt at disguise, Jesus Christ sees through all pretenses and knows the hearts of all people ([John 2:24-25](/john/2-24 "John 2:24-25 - Jesus Knew All People")). His encounter with the Samaritan woman, where He revealed her hidden past without being told ([John 4:17-19](/john/4-17 "John 4:17-19 - Jesus and the Samaritan Woman")), perfectly illustrates His divine omniscience, far surpassing Ahijah's Spirit-given insight. Jeroboam's hypocrisy and the subsequent judgment on his house due to his apostasy also point to Christ. Jesus, as the righteous King and Judge, will ultimately expose all unrepentant hearts and bring judgment upon those who reject His reign and embrace spiritual idolatry ([Matthew 25:31-46](/matthew/25-31 "Matthew 25:31-46 - The Judgment of the Nations")). Conversely, for those who come to Him without disguise, in genuine repentance and faith, He offers not judgment but forgiveness and eternal life, fulfilling God's promise of a righteous kingdom that Jeroboam so tragically forfeited.

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 11:29

And it came to pass at that time when Jeroboam went out of Jerusalem, that the prophet Ahijah the Shilonite found him in the way; and he had clad himself with a new garment; and they two [were] alone in the field:

1 Samuel 4:15

Now Eli was ninety and eight years old; and his eyes were dim, that he could not see.

1 Samuel 3:2

And it came to pass at that time, when Eli [was] laid down in his place, and his eyes began to wax dim, [that] he could not see;

Ecclesiastes 12:3

In the day when the keepers of the house shall tremble, and the strong men shall bow themselves, and the grinders cease because they are few, and those that look out of the windows be darkened,

Genesis 48:10

Now the eyes of Israel were dim for age, [so that] he could not see. And he brought them near unto him; and he kissed them, and embraced them.

Psalms 90:10

The days of our years [are] threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength [they be] fourscore years, yet [is] their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.

1 Samuel 4:3

And when the people were come into the camp, the elders of Israel said, Wherefore hath the LORD smitten us to day before the Philistines? Let us fetch the ark of the covenant of the LORD out of Shiloh unto us, that, when it cometh among us, it may save us out of the hand of our enemies.