1 Kings 14:5

And the LORD said unto Ahijah, Behold, the wife of Jeroboam cometh to ask a thing of thee for her son; for he [is] sick: thus and thus shalt thou say unto her: for it shall be, when she cometh in, that she shall feign herself [to be] another [woman].

And the LORD {H3068} said {H559} unto Ahijah {H281}, Behold, the wife {H802} of Jeroboam {H3379} cometh {H935} to ask {H1875} a thing {H1697} of thee for her son {H1121}; for he is sick {H2470}: thus {H2090} and thus shalt thou say {H1696} unto her: for it shall be, when she cometh in {H935}, that she shall feign herself to be another {H5234} woman.

ADONAI had told Achiyah, "Yarov'am's wife is on her way to you to ask about her son, who is ill. You are to tell her thus and thus; moreover, when she comes, she will be pretending she is another woman."

But the LORD had said to Ahijah, โ€œBehold, the wife of Jeroboam is coming to ask you about her son, for he is ill. You are to say such and such to her, because when she arrives, she will be disguised.โ€

And Jehovah said unto Ahijah, Behold, the wife of Jeroboam cometh to inquire of thee concerning her son; for he is sick: thus and thus shalt thou say unto her; for it will be, when she cometh in, that she will feign herself to be another woman.

Commentary

1 Kings 14:5 records a pivotal moment revealing God's absolute knowledge and control over human affairs, specifically concerning King Jeroboam's household.

Context

This verse takes place during the reign of King Jeroboam I, the first king of the northern kingdom of Israel after the division of the united monarchy. Jeroboam had famously led Israel into idolatry by setting up golden calves in Bethel and Dan, establishing a false religious system to prevent his people from returning to Jerusalem for worship (1 Kings 12:28-30). The prophet Ahijah of Shiloh had previously delivered a weighty prophecy to Jeroboam, foretelling his rise to power and the tearing of the kingdom from Solomon's hand (1 Kings 11:29-39). Now, Jeroboam's son is gravely ill, prompting the king to send his wife to inquire of this very prophet, but in a deceptive disguise, likely out of shame or an attempt to manipulate the prophet's response. This verse sets the stage for God's direct intervention and pronouncement of judgment.

Key Themes

  • Divine Omniscience: The verse powerfully highlights God's all-knowing nature. Before Jeroboam's wife even arrives or speaks, the LORD reveals her identity, her purpose, and her disguise to Ahijah. This underscores that no human action, intention, or deception is hidden from God's sight (Psalm 139:2-4).
  • Prophetic Revelation: God communicates His will and insights through His chosen prophets. Ahijah serves as God's mouthpiece, receiving direct instructions on what to say and how to respond to the queen's deceitful visit.
  • Consequences of Sin: While the full judgment is detailed in subsequent verses (1 Kings 14:7-16), the sickness of Jeroboam's son and the need for divine inquiry hint at the unfolding consequences of Jeroboam's persistent idolatry and rebellion against the LORD.
  • Human Deception vs. Divine Truth: The contrast between Jeroboam's wife attempting to "feign herself to be another woman" and God immediately exposing her pretense emphasizes that human schemes are futile against divine truth.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "feign herself to be another woman" (KJV) effectively conveys the intentional act of disguise and deception. The Hebrew word for "feign" (ื ึธื›ึทืจ, nakar) implies to recognize or acknowledge, but in its Piel stem (intensive form), it can mean to disguise, to act as a foreigner, or to make oneself unrecognizable. This highlights the deliberate effort by Jeroboam's wife to conceal her true identity from the prophet, a futile attempt against the LORD's discerning eye.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a powerful reminder that we cannot hide our true selves or our intentions from God. Our attempts at deception, whether towards others or in our spiritual lives, are transparent to Him. It encourages a life of authenticity and transparency before God, acknowledging that He sees and knows all. When facing difficulties, rather than resorting to pretense, we are called to seek God's truth directly and humbly, trusting in His divine knowledge and guidance.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“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 โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Kings 4:27

    And when she came to the man of God to the hill, she caught him by the feet: but Gehazi came near to thrust her away. And the man of God said, Let her alone; for her soul [is] vexed within her: and the LORD hath hid [it] from me, and hath not told me.

  • Proverbs 21:30

    ยถ [There is] no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.

  • Amos 3:7

    Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.

  • Psalms 139:1

    ยถ To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known [me].

  • Psalms 139:4

    For [there is] not a word in my tongue, [but], lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether.

  • 2 Kings 6:8

    ยถ Then the king of Syria warred against Israel, and took counsel with his servants, saying, In such and such a place [shall be] my camp.

  • 2 Kings 6:12

    And one of his servants said, None, my lord, O king: but Elisha, the prophet that [is] in Israel, telleth the king of Israel the words that thou speakest in thy bedchamber.
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