1 Kings 14:2
And Jeroboam said to his wife, Arise, I pray thee, and disguise thyself, that thou be not known to be the wife of Jeroboam; and get thee to Shiloh: behold, there is Ahijah the prophet, which told me that I should be king over this people.
Original Language Analysis
ק֤וּמִי
Arise
H6965
ק֤וּמִי
Arise
Strong's:
H6965
Word #:
4 of 25
to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
נָא֙
H4994
נָא֙
Strong's:
H4994
Word #:
5 of 25
'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction
וְהִשְׁתַּנִּ֔ית
I pray thee and disguise
H8138
וְהִשְׁתַּנִּ֔ית
I pray thee and disguise
Strong's:
H8138
Word #:
6 of 25
to fold, i.e., duplicate (literally or figuratively); by implication, to transmute (transitive or intransitive)
וְלֹ֣א
H3808
וְלֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
7 of 25
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יֵֽדְע֔וּ
thyself that thou be not known
H3045
יֵֽדְע֔וּ
thyself that thou be not known
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
8 of 25
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
כִּי
H3588
כִּי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
9 of 25
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
וְהָלַ֣כְתְּ
and get
H1980
וְהָלַ֣כְתְּ
and get
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
13 of 25
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
שָׁם֙
H8033
אֲחִיָּ֣ה
behold there is Ahijah
H281
אֲחִיָּ֣ה
behold there is Ahijah
Strong's:
H281
Word #:
17 of 25
achijah, the name of nine israelites
הֽוּא
H1931
הֽוּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
19 of 25
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
דִבֶּ֥ר
which told
H1696
דִבֶּ֥ר
which told
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
20 of 25
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
עָלַ֛י
H5921
עָלַ֛י
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
21 of 25
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
23 of 25
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
Cross References
1 Samuel 28:8And Saul disguised himself, and put on other raiment, and he went, and two men with him, and they came to the woman by night: and he said, I pray thee, divine unto me by the familiar spirit, and bring me him up, whom I shall name unto thee.2 Samuel 14:2And Joab sent to Tekoah, and fetched thence a wise woman, and said unto her, I pray thee, feign thyself to be a mourner, and put on now mourning apparel, and anoint not thyself with oil, but be as a woman that had a long time mourned for the dead:2 Chronicles 18:29And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, I will disguise myself, and will go to the battle; but put thou on thy robes. So the king of Israel disguised himself; and they went to the battle.Luke 12:2For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known.Joshua 18:1And the whole congregation of the children of Israel assembled together at Shiloh, and set up the tabernacle of the congregation there. And the land was subdued before them.1 Kings 22:30And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, I will disguise myself, and enter into the battle; but put thou on thy robes. And the king of Israel disguised himself, and went into the battle.
Historical Context
First Kings was written during or after the Babylonian exile (6th century BCE), reflecting on the monarchy period (10th-9th centuries BCE) to explain why the kingdoms fell. This period (c. 930-850 BCE) saw rapid succession and instability, especially in the northern kingdom.
Ancient Near Eastern kingship ideology viewed kings as divine representatives responsible for maintaining cosmic order through right worship. Archaeological discoveries from sites like Megiddo, Hazor, and Samaria confirm the historical reliability of 1 Kings' descriptions of building projects and administrative structures.
Questions for Reflection
- How does this passage illustrate the importance of complete obedience to God's word without compromise?
- What does Elijah's ministry reveal about God's character and His commitment to His covenant people?
- How does this verse point toward or prepare for the coming of Christ and His eternal kingdom?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And Jeroboam said to his wife, Arise, I pray thee, and disguise thyself, that thou be not known to be the wife of Jeroboam; and get thee to Shiloh: behold, there is Ahijah the prophet, which told me that I should be king over this people.
This verse contributes to the broader narrative of jeroboam's judgment and rehoboam's reign, within the book's focus on spiritual decline of both kingdoms under various rulers. The prophetic office represents God's faithful witness even in apostasy, calling His people back to covenant faithfulness.
The Hebrew text reveals nuances important for understanding this passage's contribution to 1 Kings' theological message about kingship, covenant, and faithfulness to Yahweh. This verse demonstrates the consequences when God's people—especially their leaders—either follow or forsake the covenant established at Sinai.