1 Kings 14:7

KJV

¶ Go, tell Jeroboam, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Forasmuch as I exalted thee from among the people, and made thee prince over my people Israel,

KJV (with Strong's)

Go {H3212}, tell {H559} Jeroboam {H3379}, Thus saith {H559} the LORD {H3068} God {H430} of Israel {H3478}, Forasmuch as {H3282} I exalted {H7311} thee from among {H8432} the people {H5971}, and made {H5414} thee prince {H5057} over my people {H5971} Israel {H3478},

Complete Jewish Bible

Go, tell Yarov'am that this is what ADONAI says: 'I raised you up from among the people, made you prince over my people Isra'el,

Berean Standard Bible

Go, tell Jeroboam that this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘I raised you up from among the people and appointed you ruler over My people Israel.

American Standard Version

Go, tell Jeroboam, Thus saith Jehovah, the God of Israel: Forasmuch as I exalted thee from among the people, and made thee prince over my people Israel,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Kings 14:7 initiates a severe prophetic judgment delivered by the prophet Ahijah to Jeroboam's disguised wife. This verse powerfully establishes the divine origin and absolute authority of the message, immediately reminding Jeroboam of the LORD God of Israel's direct and sovereign role in his unexpected elevation from obscurity to become the first king of the northern kingdom of Israel. It serves as a stark preamble to the pronouncement of judgment for Jeroboam's profound unfaithfulness and idolatry.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse marks the beginning of a crucial prophetic oracle in the narrative of the divided kingdom. Jeroboam, the first king of the northern kingdom of Israel, is introduced in [1 Kings 11](/1_kings/11 "1 Kings 11 - Solomon's Idolatry and the Division of the Kingdom") as a servant of Solomon whom God chose to rule ten tribes. The prophet Ahijah of Shiloh had initially prophesied his kingship and promised a lasting dynasty if he remained faithful, as seen in [1 Kings 11:38](/1_kings/11-38 "1 Kings 11:38 - God's Promise to Jeroboam"). However, Jeroboam quickly succumbed to political fear, establishing golden calves in Dan and Bethel to prevent his people from going to Jerusalem to worship, thereby leading Israel into grievous sin ([1 Kings 12:28-30](/1_kings/12-28 "1 Kings 12:28-30 - Jeroboam's Golden Calves")). The immediate context of [1 Kings 14](/1_kings/14 "1 Kings 14 - Ahijah's Prophecy Against Jeroboam") is the illness of Jeroboam's son, Abijah, prompting Jeroboam to send his wife, disguised, to inquire of the now-blind prophet Ahijah. Verse 7 is the immediate, divinely revealed opening of Ahijah's devastating message, setting the stage for the judgment that follows.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop is the tumultuous period immediately following the death of Solomon and the division of the united monarchy into the northern kingdom of Israel (under Jeroboam) and the southern kingdom of Judah (under Rehoboam). This schism was a direct consequence of Solomon's idolatry and the people's discontent with Rehoboam's harsh policies, as detailed in [1 Kings 12](/1_kings/12 "1 Kings 12 - The Kingdom Divides"). Jeroboam's actions, particularly the establishment of rival worship sites and a non-Levitical priesthood, were rooted in political expediency but constituted a profound religious apostasy. In ancient Israel, prophets served as God's direct spokespersons, often delivering messages of covenant faithfulness, judgment, or hope. The practice of inquiring of a prophet for divine guidance was common, but Jeroboam's attempt to disguise his wife highlights a desire to manipulate the prophetic encounter and avoid the direct confrontation with God's will, even as he sought divine intervention for his son.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully introduces several major theological and narrative themes prevalent in the book of Kings. Firstly, **Divine Sovereignty and Election** is paramount, as the LORD explicitly states, "I exalted thee from among the people, and made thee prince over my people Israel." This underscores that Jeroboam's rise to power was not by human design or ambition but by God's sovereign choice, a theme echoed in God's selection of other leaders like [David from among his brethren](/1_samuel/16-12 "1 Samuel 16:12 - David Anointed King"). Secondly, the theme of **Covenant Responsibility and Disobedience** is strongly implied. God's elevation of Jeroboam carried an immense expectation of faithfulness to the covenant and leadership of God's people in righteousness. Jeroboam's subsequent idolatry and leading Israel into sin represent a profound failure to uphold this divine trust, which is the very basis for the judgment being pronounced. Finally, **Prophetic Authority and Divine Judgment** are central, as the phrase "Thus saith the LORD God of Israel" asserts the absolute authority and divine origin of Ahijah's message, leaving no doubt about the truthfulness and severity of the impending judgment.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Thus saith the LORD God of Israel (Hebrew: כֹּה אָמַר יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, _koh amar Yahweh Elohei Yisrael_):** This is a foundational and frequently used prophetic formula throughout the Old Testament. It serves as an immediate and unmistakable declaration that the words following are not the prophet's own opinion or observation, but a direct, authoritative, and binding message from the sovereign, covenant-keeping God of Israel. Its presence here immediately imbues the message with ultimate divine weight and leaves no room for doubt regarding its truth or source.
* **exalted (Hebrew: רוּם, _rum_):** The verb "rum" signifies to be high, to rise, to lift up, or to be exalted. In this context, it emphasizes God's active, deliberate, and sovereign initiative in raising Jeroboam from an ordinary, perhaps even obscure, position (he was a servant of Solomon) to one of supreme authority. It highlights that Jeroboam's kingship was a divine gift and appointment, not an earned status or a result of human political maneuvering, setting a crucial backdrop for the severity of the judgment that follows due to his unfaithfulness to this divine trust.
* **prince (Hebrew: נָגִיד, _nagid_):** This term denotes a leader, ruler, or commander. While it can refer to a king, it often carries the nuance of a divinely appointed leader, one chosen and set apart by God for a specific purpose, rather than simply an inherited monarch. This emphasizes Jeroboam's role as God's chosen steward over His people, underscoring the sacred responsibility he was given and subsequently betrayed.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"¶ Go, tell Jeroboam,"**: This opening command emphasizes the direct and personal nature of the message. Though Jeroboam's wife is the immediate recipient, the message is emphatically for Jeroboam himself, underscoring his personal culpability and the direct confrontation God is initiating with him. The "¶" is a KJV paragraph marker, not part of the original Hebrew.
* **"Thus saith the LORD God of Israel,"**: This is the authoritative prophetic formula, establishing the divine origin and absolute truthfulness of the words that follow. It leaves no doubt that this is a direct word from Yahweh, the covenant God who chose and redeemed Israel.
* **"Forasmuch as I exalted thee from among the people,"**: This clause serves as a powerful reminder of God's sovereign grace and initiative in Jeroboam's life. It recalls his humble origins and God's deliberate act of raising him to a position of power, highlighting the immense divine favor he had received. This sets up a stark contrast with his subsequent actions, making his unfaithfulness all the more egregious.
* **"and made thee prince over my people Israel,"**: This part defines the specific nature of Jeroboam's divine appointment. He was made a leader not just over any people, but over "my people Israel"—God's chosen, covenant people. This underscores the sacred trust and immense responsibility placed upon him to lead them in faithfulness to God, a responsibility he profoundly failed to uphold by leading them into idolatry.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several significant **Literary Devices**. The most prominent is the **Prophetic Formula** "Thus saith the LORD God of Israel," which immediately establishes the divine authority and inerrancy of the message, a common feature in Old Testament prophetic literature. There is also a strong element of **Irony** present: Jeroboam's wife attempts to deceive the prophet by disguising herself, yet God, who is omniscient, reveals her identity and the purpose of her visit to the blind Ahijah, demonstrating the futility of human deception before divine knowledge. Furthermore, the verse begins with a **Retrospection** or **Recapitulation**, reminding Jeroboam of his past divine elevation. This serves as a rhetorical device to highlight the stark contrast between God's gracious act of choosing and exalting Jeroboam and Jeroboam's subsequent profound unfaithfulness, thereby justifying the severe judgment that is about to be pronounced.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Kings 14:7 is a profound theological statement on divine election, human responsibility, and the consequences of covenant disobedience. It asserts God's absolute sovereignty in raising leaders, reminding us that all authority ultimately derives from Him. Jeroboam's story serves as a cautionary tale: divine favor, though freely given, comes with immense responsibility to steward that position in accordance with God's will. His failure to lead "my people Israel" in faithfulness, opting instead for political expediency and idolatry, demonstrates that even divinely appointed leaders are accountable for their actions and can forfeit their blessings through rebellion. This verse sets the stage for the unfolding narrative of judgment, emphasizing that God does not tolerate unfaithfulness, especially from those He has uniquely blessed and entrusted with His people.

* [1 Samuel 16:12](/1_samuel/16-12 "1 Samuel 16:12 - David Anointed King")
* [1 Kings 11:38](/1_kings/11-38 "1 Kings 11:38 - God's Promise to Jeroboam")
* [1 Samuel 15:23](/1_samuel/15-23 "1 Samuel 15:23 - Rebellion as Witchcraft")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This powerful verse from 1 Kings 14:7 serves as a timeless reminder that all positions of leadership, influence, and opportunity, whether in spiritual, civic, professional, or personal spheres, ultimately come under God's sovereign hand. Jeroboam's story challenges us to reflect on the source of our own blessings and elevations. Do we acknowledge God's hand in our successes and opportunities, or do we attribute them solely to our own efforts or circumstances? The profound responsibility that accompanies divine favor is highlighted here; we are called to be faithful stewards of whatever God entrusts to us, leading in accordance with His will and not our own desires, fears, or political pressures. Jeroboam's tragic descent into idolatry, despite God's clear promise and initial blessing, is a stark warning about the insidious nature of compromise and the severe consequences of forgetting the Giver of all good things. It prompts us to examine our own lives: where might we be erecting "golden calves"—idols of security, comfort, power, or approval—that divert our hearts and allegiances from true worship and obedience to God?

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does recognizing God's sovereignty in our own lives, even in our positions or opportunities, impact our sense of responsibility and humility?**
* **What "golden calves" or compromises might we be tempted to embrace in our modern context that divert us from wholehearted devotion to God?**
* **In what ways can we, as individuals or communities, better steward the influence and resources God has entrusted to us for His glory and the good of His people?**

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

Answer: Jeroboam's wife disguised herself, pretending to be someone else seeking a prophetic word about her sick son, primarily to conceal her true identity as the queen. This was likely motivated by a desire to avoid revealing Jeroboam's desperate situation (his son's illness) and his hypocrisy (seeking God's help after leading the nation into idolatry). They may have feared that a prophet who knew their identity would deliver an unfavorable or politically inconvenient message, or that their actions would expose Jeroboam's vulnerability. However, this act of deception proved futile, as God immediately revealed her identity and the purpose of her visit to the blind prophet Ahijah, underscoring God's omniscience and the futility of trying to hide from Him, as seen in [1 Kings 14:5-6](/1_kings/14-5 "1 Kings 14:5-6 - God Reveals the Queen's Identity").

**What was Jeroboam's main sin that led to this severe judgment?**

Answer: Jeroboam's primary and most grievous sin was idolatry, specifically leading the entire northern kingdom of Israel into apostasy. Fearing that his subjects would return their allegiance to the Davidic dynasty in Jerusalem if they continued to worship at the Temple, Jeroboam established two alternative worship centers in Dan and Bethel, setting up golden calves for the people to worship. He also appointed non-Levitical priests and instituted new festivals, directly violating God's covenant commands (see [1 Kings 12:26-33](/1_kings/12-26 "1 Kings 12:26-33 - Jeroboam's Idolatry")). This act of leading "my people Israel" away from the LORD God of Israel was a profound betrayal of the divine trust placed in him and became the "sin of Jeroboam" that plagued subsequent kings of Israel.

**Who was Ahijah the prophet, and what was his significance?**

Answer: Ahijah was a prophet from Shiloh who held significant prophetic authority in Israel. He is first introduced in [1 Kings 11](/1_kings/11 "1 Kings 11 - Solomon's Idolatry and the Division of the Kingdom") when he met Jeroboam and, by tearing his new garment into twelve pieces, prophesied that God would tear the kingdom from Solomon's hand and give ten tribes to Jeroboam (see [1 Kings 11:29-39](/1_kings/11-29 "1 Kings 11:29-39 - Ahijah's Prophecy to Jeroboam")). This initial prophecy established his credibility and God's clear intention to elevate Jeroboam. His significance lies in his role as God's consistent messenger to Jeroboam, first delivering a promise of kingship and a lasting dynasty contingent on obedience, and later, as seen in [1 Kings 14](/1_kings/14 "1 Kings 14 - Ahijah's Prophecy Against Jeroboam"), delivering God's severe judgment against Jeroboam's house due to his profound unfaithfulness and idolatry.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of Jeroboam, exalted by God yet falling into unfaithfulness, finds its ultimate contrast and fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Jeroboam was made "prince over my people Israel" by divine appointment, but he tragically failed to lead them in righteousness, instead establishing idolatry and leading them astray. This highlights the inherent limitations and failures of human leadership, even when divinely chosen. In stark contrast, Jesus is the true and perfect "prince" and King over God's people, not merely Israel according to the flesh, but the spiritual Israel—His church. He was not merely "exalted from among the people" but was eternally God, who humbled Himself to take on human form ([Philippians 2:6-8](/philippians/2-6 "Philippians 2:6-8 - Christ's Humility")). Yet, because of His perfect obedience, even to death on a cross, God has highly exalted Him and given Him a name that is above every name ([Philippians 2:9-11](/philippians/2-9 "Philippians 2:9-11 - Christ's Exaltation")). Unlike Jeroboam, who led his people into sin, Jesus is the sinless 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")) and leads His people in truth and righteousness. His kingdom is not of this world, built on political fear or idolatry ([John 18:36](/john/18-36 "John 18:36 - My Kingdom Is Not Of This World")), but is an eternal, spiritual kingdom founded on His perfect covenant faithfulness. He is the faithful King, the "Prince of Peace" ([Isaiah 9:6](/isaiah/9-6 "Isaiah 9:6 - Prince of Peace")), who perfectly fulfills all of God's promises for a righteous ruler, ultimately reigning as King of Kings and Lord of Lords ([Revelation 19:16](/revelation/19-16 "Revelation 19:16 - King of Kings")).

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;

2 Samuel 12:7

And Nathan said to David, Thou [art] the man. Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul;

2 Samuel 12:8

And I gave thee thy master's house, and thy master's wives into thy bosom, and gave thee the house of Israel and of Judah; and if [that had been] too little, I would moreover have given unto thee such and such things.

1 Kings 12:24

Thus saith the LORD, Ye shall not go up, nor fight against your brethren the children of Israel: return every man to his house; for this thing is from me. They hearkened therefore to the word of the LORD, and returned to depart, according to the word of the LORD.

1 Samuel 2:27

¶ And there came a man of God unto Eli, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Did I plainly appear unto the house of thy father, when they were in Egypt in Pharaoh's house?

1 Samuel 2:30

Wherefore the LORD God of Israel saith, I said indeed [that] thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before me for ever: but now the LORD saith, Be it far from me; for them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed.

1 Samuel 15:16

Then Samuel said unto Saul, Stay, and I will tell thee what the LORD hath said to me this night. And he said unto him, Say on.