Jeroboam covertly sends his wife with a modest gift to the prophet, seeking to learn their ailing son’s fate.
Take ten loaves with you, some cakes and a jar of honey, and go to him; he will tell you what will happen to the boy. (v.3) In this passage, King Jeroboam of Israel (who reigned roughly from 930 BC to 910 BC) instructs his wife to embark on a secret mission. Their son is gravely ill, so Jeroboam wants to consult the prophet Ahijah, who once foretold that Jeroboam would be king over the northern tribes. However, Jeroboam’s decision to disguise his wife and send her with humble offerings reveals the king’s distrust and fear, suggesting that he hopes to manipulate the prophet into delivering a favorable word. Previously, Jeroboam introduced idols and pagan practices into Israelite worship (see 1 Kings 14), stirring up God’s displeasure and contributing to the nation’s spiritual decline.
Take ten loaves with you, some cakes and a jar of honey, and go to him; he will tell you what will happen to the boy. (v.3) These gifts—loaves, cakes, and honey—were common tokens of hospitality in Israel’s culture. They reflect a gesture of respect or appeasement, especially when seeking a divine oracle. Jeroboam’s reliance on symbolic or transactional gestures rather than genuine repentance echoes what happened under other disobedient Israelite kings, who often used ritual without sincerely turning from idolatry. This stands in stark contrast to faithful leaders who sought the LORD wholeheartedly and removed false gods from the land (2 Kings 18:4-6).
Take ten loaves with you, some cakes and a jar of honey, and go to him; he will tell you what will happen to the boy. (v.3) The verse underscores Jeroboam’s anxiety to preserve his dynasty in the midst of judgment. Shiloh, where the prophet Ahijah lived, was a historically significant worship site for Israel (Joshua 18:1). By sending his wife there, Jeroboam attempts to receive God’s word indirectly, hoping to remain hidden from both prophet and providence. Ultimately, this event sets the stage for the divine verdict pronounced upon Jeroboam’s lineage, shining light on the tragic consequences of partial faith and compromise (1 Kings 14:10-11).
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1 Kings 14:3 meaning
Take ten loaves with you, some cakes and a jar of honey, and go to him; he will tell you what will happen to the boy. (v.3) In this passage, King Jeroboam of Israel (who reigned roughly from 930 BC to 910 BC) instructs his wife to embark on a secret mission. Their son is gravely ill, so Jeroboam wants to consult the prophet Ahijah, who once foretold that Jeroboam would be king over the northern tribes. However, Jeroboam’s decision to disguise his wife and send her with humble offerings reveals the king’s distrust and fear, suggesting that he hopes to manipulate the prophet into delivering a favorable word. Previously, Jeroboam introduced idols and pagan practices into Israelite worship (see 1 Kings 14), stirring up God’s displeasure and contributing to the nation’s spiritual decline.
Take ten loaves with you, some cakes and a jar of honey, and go to him; he will tell you what will happen to the boy. (v.3) These gifts—loaves, cakes, and honey—were common tokens of hospitality in Israel’s culture. They reflect a gesture of respect or appeasement, especially when seeking a divine oracle. Jeroboam’s reliance on symbolic or transactional gestures rather than genuine repentance echoes what happened under other disobedient Israelite kings, who often used ritual without sincerely turning from idolatry. This stands in stark contrast to faithful leaders who sought the LORD wholeheartedly and removed false gods from the land (2 Kings 18:4-6).
Take ten loaves with you, some cakes and a jar of honey, and go to him; he will tell you what will happen to the boy. (v.3) The verse underscores Jeroboam’s anxiety to preserve his dynasty in the midst of judgment. Shiloh, where the prophet Ahijah lived, was a historically significant worship site for Israel (Joshua 18:1). By sending his wife there, Jeroboam attempts to receive God’s word indirectly, hoping to remain hidden from both prophet and providence. Ultimately, this event sets the stage for the divine verdict pronounced upon Jeroboam’s lineage, shining light on the tragic consequences of partial faith and compromise (1 Kings 14:10-11).