Jeroboam-The Prophet Gives Bad News to the King

By Mary Vee
I Kings 13-14

From the Prophet Ahijah's, who lives in Shiloh, Notes

Long ago, before Jerusalem became capital of Israel, Shiloh had been the home for our leaders. I have continued to live in Shiloh, conducting my priestly duties as before.

While Solomon was still on the throne, the Lord gave me a message to tell Jeroboam. It was then that he heard he would one day rule Israel. Time has passed and Solomon died.

Jeroboam took over as king of Israel while Rehoboam, son of king Solomon, ruled as king over Jerusalem. Most, if not all of the Levites, left their homes and moved to Jerusalem to show their dedication to the throne of David.

The Lord spoke to me saying king Jeroboam's son became ill and that he wanted to know if his son would live. He would send his wife to me dressed in a disguise. When she arrives I was to give her the answer from the Lord.

I am an old man, and not able to see well any more. Knowing who would be coming helped me tremendously. That afternoon I heard the sound of footsteps at the door. 

"Come in, wife of Jeroboam. Why are you dressed in a disguise? I have bad news for you. 

"Go and tell Jeroboam this message from the Lord. 'I raised you up from among the people and made you a leader over my people Israel. I tore the kingdom away from the house of David and gave it to you, but you have not been like my servant David, who kept my commands and followed me with all his heart, doing only what was right in my eyes. 

'You have done more evil than all who lived before you. You have made for yourself other gods, idols made of metal. You have provoked me to anger and thrust me behind your back. 

'Because of this, I am going to bring disaster on our house. I will cut off from you every last male in Israel--slave or free. I will burn up your house until it is gone. Dongs will eat those belonging to you, and the birds of the air will feed on those who die in the country where you rule. The Lord has spoken!'

"Then I spoke to her. "As for you, go back home. The moment you return the boy will die. All of Israel will mourn for him and bury him. He is the only one belonging to Jeroboam who will be buried, because he is the only one the Lord has found favor.

"The Lord will raise up a king over Israel who will cut off the family of Jeroboam from the throne. It will happen today. Yes, today. It will happen because of the idols Jeroboam has set up. Israel will suffer because of Jeroboam's sins and the people's choice to follow him."

She left my home without a word. Later I learned that the moment she stepped into her home her son died. The king buried him and all Israel mourned for him as the Lord said. Next Jeroboam will see the rest of the fulfillment of the Lord's message.