1 Kings 14:5

KJV

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].

KJV (with Strong's)

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.

Complete Jewish Bible

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."

Berean Standard Bible

But the LORD had said to Ahijah, “Behold, 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.”

American Standard Version

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

### SUMMARY
1 Kings 14:5 unveils a profound demonstration of divine omniscience and prophetic authority. In this pivotal moment, the LORD preemptively reveals to the aged prophet Ahijah the precise identity, deceptive intentions, and purpose of King Jeroboam's wife, who is approaching in disguise to inquire about her gravely ill son. This verse sets the stage for God's unsparing judgment upon Jeroboam's idolatrous house, underscoring that no human scheme or hidden motive can escape the all-seeing eye of the Almighty.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed within the narrative of Jeroboam I's reign, immediately following his establishment of a rival religious system in the northern kingdom of Israel, complete with golden calves in Bethel and Dan ([1 Kings 12:28-30](/1_kings/12-28 "1 Kings 12:28-30 - Jeroboam's Idolatry")). It harks back to the initial prophecy delivered by Ahijah to Jeroboam, foretelling his rise to power and the division of the kingdom from Solomon's hand ([1 Kings 11:29-39](/1_kings/11-29 "1 Kings 11:29-39 - Ahijah's Prophecy to Jeroboam")). The illness of Jeroboam's son, Abijah, serves as the catalyst for the queen's desperate, yet deceptive, visit. This encounter with Ahijah is not a hopeful appeal for mercy but a veiled attempt to gain insight, which God immediately exposes, thereby validating His prophet's divine connection and setting the stage for the severe judgment pronounced in the subsequent verses ([1 Kings 14:7-16](/1_kings/14-7 "1 Kings 14:7-16 - God's Judgment on Jeroboam's House")).

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jeroboam I was the first king of the northern kingdom of Israel after the schism of the united monarchy following Solomon's death. His reign was marked by a deliberate departure from the worship of Yahweh in Jerusalem, as he sought to consolidate his political power by creating alternative worship centers. The practice of consulting prophets for guidance, especially in times of crisis or illness, was common in the ancient Near East, reflecting a belief in their ability to access divine knowledge. However, Jeroboam's wife's decision to disguise herself highlights the tension between this cultural practice and the spiritual reality of their apostasy. Her disguise likely stemmed from a desire to avoid public recognition, shame over their family's spiritual state, or a futile attempt to elicit a more favorable, less biased prophecy from Ahijah, who was known to have previously spoken God's judgment against their house.

* **Key Themes:** The verse powerfully introduces several overarching themes that permeate the book of [1 Kings](/1_kings/1 "The Book of 1 Kings") and the broader biblical narrative. **Divine Omniscience** is paramount, as God knows the queen's identity, her purpose, and her disguise before she even arrives, emphasizing that no human action or intention is hidden from Him ([Psalm 139:2-4](/psalm/139-2 "Psalm 139:2-4 - God Knows Our Thoughts and Ways")). This directly contrasts with **Human Deception and Futility**, as the queen's elaborate attempt to "feign herself to be another woman" is instantly nullified by divine revelation. Furthermore, the passage underscores **Prophetic Authority and Revelation**, demonstrating God's chosen method of communicating His will and judgment through His prophets, such as Ahijah. Finally, while the full pronouncement comes later, the son's sickness and the need for divine inquiry hint at the **Consequences of Sin and Apostasy**, foreshadowing the unfolding judgment upon Jeroboam's house due to his persistent idolatry and rebellion against the LORD, a recurring motif throughout the historical books of the Old Testament.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Ahijah (Hebrew, _’ăḥîyāh'_):** This prophet's name means "My brother is Yahweh" or "Yahweh is my brother." This name is highly significant, emphasizing his close relationship and intimate communion with God. It underscores his role not merely as a messenger, but as one uniquely aligned with the divine will, making God's direct revelation to him in this verse all the more fitting and authoritative.
* **Feign (Hebrew, _nakar'_):** The verb נָכַר (_nakar_) in its Piel (intensive) stem, as used here, means "to disguise oneself," "to make oneself unrecognizable," or "to act as a foreigner." While its basic meaning is "to recognize" or "to know," the intensive form conveys a deliberate and active effort to prevent recognition. This highlights the intentionality of Jeroboam's wife's deception, setting up a stark contrast with God's effortless and complete knowledge of her true identity and purpose.
* **Sick (Hebrew, _ḥālāh'_):** The word חָלָה (_ḥālāh_) means "to be sick," "to be weak," or "to be ill." In biblical contexts, illness is often, though not exclusively, linked to divine judgment or a consequence of sin (as seen in the broader narrative of Jeroboam's apostasy). The severity of the son's sickness is implied by the king's urgent and deceptive dispatch of his wife to a prophet known for delivering weighty divine messages.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the LORD said unto Ahijah":** This opening clause immediately establishes the divine origin of the message. It is not Ahijah's own insight or a guess, but a direct, verbal communication from God Himself, highlighting the prophet's role as a divine mouthpiece.
* **"Behold, the wife of Jeroboam cometh to ask a thing of thee for her son; for he [is] sick":** God's omniscience is strikingly displayed here. He knows precisely who is coming (Jeroboam's wife), her exact purpose (to inquire about her son), and the specific reason for her visit (her son's illness). This foreknowledge validates Ahijah's prophetic office and demonstrates God's absolute awareness of human affairs, even before they unfold.
* **"thus and thus shalt thou say unto her":** This phrase emphasizes the precise and direct nature of God's instructions to Ahijah. The prophet is not to interpret or speculate, but to deliver God's message verbatim, reinforcing his role as a faithful conduit of divine revelation. It prepares the reader for the detailed and severe judgment that follows in subsequent verses.
* **"for it shall be, when she cometh in, that she shall feign herself [to be] another [woman].":** This final clause is a powerful revelation of divine insight into human deception. God not only knows who is coming and why, but also anticipates and exposes the queen's planned disguise. This pre-emptive unmasking renders her deception utterly futile and serves as a dramatic demonstration of God's inescapable knowledge of every human intention and action.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several potent literary devices. **Foreshadowing** is prominent, as God's revelation to Ahijah about the queen's disguise and purpose sets the stage for the impending, severe judgment upon Jeroboam's house, building tension for the reader. **Dramatic Irony** is also at play; the audience (and Ahijah) are privy to the queen's true identity and deceptive intent, while she remains unaware that her disguise is already known to God, making her efforts futile and highlighting the vast gap between human cunning and divine knowledge. Furthermore, the passage presents a powerful **Contrast** between human deception (the queen feigning to be another woman) and divine omniscience (God knowing her true identity and motive). This contrast underscores the futility of attempting to hide anything from the all-seeing eye of the LORD, reinforcing a key theological truth about God's nature.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse profoundly underscores God's absolute omniscience and active sovereignty over human affairs, even in the midst of rebellion and deception. It reveals a God who is not distant or unaware but intimately involved, seeing beyond outward appearances and knowing the deepest intentions of the heart. The futility of Jeroboam's wife's disguise serves as a powerful theological statement: no human scheme, no matter how clever or secretive, can escape the divine gaze. This truth is both a source of comfort for the righteous, knowing they are fully known and cared for, and a solemn warning for those who attempt to hide their sin or manipulate spiritual realities. God's knowledge is not merely passive observation but active discernment, leading to righteous judgment or merciful intervention.

* [Psalm 139:1-4](/psalm/139-1 "Psalm 139:1-4 - God's Omnipresence and Omniscience")
* [Hebrews 4:13](/hebrews/4-13 "Hebrews 4:13 - All Things Are Naked Before God")
* [Proverbs 15:3](/proverbs/15-3 "Proverbs 15:3 - The Eyes of the Lord Are Everywhere")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The revelation in 1 Kings 14:5 calls us to a profound level of authenticity and transparency before God. Just as Jeroboam's wife could not hide her true identity or intentions from the LORD, neither can we. This truth should prompt us to examine our own lives: are there areas where we "feign" or put on a disguise, perhaps to impress others, to avoid conviction, or to manipulate outcomes, even in our spiritual walk? The futility of such attempts is evident here. Instead of resorting to pretense, we are invited to approach God with humility and honesty, acknowledging that He already knows our deepest thoughts, fears, and desires. This divine omniscience can be both convicting, urging us to repentance, and incredibly comforting, assuring us that we are fully known and loved by a God who sees beyond our facades and understands us completely. It encourages us to seek His truth directly, trusting in His perfect knowledge and guidance, rather than relying on human cunning or self-deception.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life might you be tempted to "feign" or hide your true self or intentions, even from God?**
* **How does the omniscience of God, as powerfully revealed in this verse, bring you comfort, conviction, or a deeper sense of accountability?**
* **What practical steps can you take to cultivate a greater sense of authenticity and transparency in your relationship with God and others?**
* **How does this passage encourage you to seek God's truth directly, even when it might reveal uncomfortable realities about yourself or your situation?**

### FAQ
**Why did Jeroboam's wife disguise herself when visiting Ahijah?**

Answer: Jeroboam's wife disguised herself for several probable reasons, all stemming from a combination of shame, fear, and a misguided attempt at manipulation. Firstly, Jeroboam himself had led the nation into egregious idolatry by setting up golden calves, directly defying the LORD. Sending his queen openly to a true prophet of Yahweh would have been an admission of their desperate situation and a public acknowledgment of their spiritual rebellion, which was deeply shameful. Secondly, Ahijah had previously delivered a weighty prophecy to Jeroboam, foretelling his rise to power but also hinting at the consequences of his disobedience ([1 Kings 11:29-39](/1_kings/11-29 "1 Kings 11:29-39 - Ahijah's Prophecy to Jeroboam")). The queen might have feared a direct, negative prophecy if Ahijah recognized her, hoping that a disguise would elicit a more sympathetic or less severe response, or simply prevent him from knowing who she was and thus from speaking God's full truth. It was a futile attempt to control the message by concealing the messenger's identity.

**What is the theological significance of God revealing the disguise to Ahijah before the queen even arrived?**

Answer: The theological significance of God revealing the queen's disguise to Ahijah is profound and multi-faceted. Primarily, it serves as a powerful demonstration of God's absolute **omniscience**—His perfect and complete knowledge of all things, past, present, and future, including the hidden intentions and deceptive schemes of the human heart. This revelation underscores that no human action, no matter how secretive or well-planned, can escape God's all-seeing eye ([Psalm 139:7-12](/psalm/139-7 "Psalm 139:7-12 - God's Presence Everywhere")). Secondly, it validates Ahijah's **prophetic authority** and his genuine connection to the divine. God's pre-emptive disclosure confirms that Ahijah is truly His mouthpiece, receiving direct and precise instructions, thereby reinforcing the authenticity of the judgment he is about to deliver. Lastly, it highlights the **futility of human deception** when confronted with divine truth. The queen's elaborate disguise is rendered meaningless even before she steps through the door, serving as a stark reminder that human cunning is utterly powerless against God's perfect knowledge and sovereign will.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The profound omniscience of God displayed in 1 Kings 14:5 finds its ultimate and most glorious fulfillment in the person of Jesus Christ. As the Son of God, Jesus perfectly embodies the divine attribute of knowing all things. He is the ultimate Prophet, not merely receiving messages from God, but being the very Word of God made flesh ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")). Just as God knew Jeroboam's wife's identity and deceptive intent, Jesus consistently demonstrated His ability to know the hearts and thoughts of people, seeing beyond outward appearances and superficial pretenses. He knew Nathaniel's character before meeting him ([John 1:47-48](/john/1-47 "John 1:47-48 - Jesus Sees Nathaniel Under the Fig Tree")), perceived the hidden desires of the Samaritan woman ([John 4:17-18](/john/4-17 "John 4:17-18 - Jesus Reveals the Samaritan Woman's Past")), and discerned the true motives of the Pharisees and Sadducees ([Matthew 22:18](/matthew/22-18 "Matthew 22:18 - Jesus Knew Their Malice")). He is the one who "knew all people and needed no one to bear witness about man, for he himself knew what was in man" ([John 2:24-25](/john/2-24 "John 2:24-25 - Jesus Knew All People")). The judgment pronounced through Ahijah upon Jeroboam's house, a consequence of their sin, points forward to Christ, who not only exposes sin but also offers the ultimate remedy. He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), providing forgiveness and reconciliation for those who, unlike Jeroboam's wife, approach Him in truth and humility, knowing that He sees and knows all.

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

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

¶ [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

¶ 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

¶ 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.