1 Kings 14:4

Authorized King James Version

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And Jeroboam's wife did so, and arose, and went to Shiloh, and came to the house of Ahijah. But Ahijah could not see; for his eyes were set by reason of his age.

Original Language Analysis

וַתַּ֤עַשׂ did so H6213
וַתַּ֤עַשׂ did so
Strong's: H6213
Word #: 1 of 18
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
כֵּן֙ H3651
כֵּן֙
Strong's: H3651
Word #: 2 of 18
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
אֵ֣שֶׁת wife H802
אֵ֣שֶׁת wife
Strong's: H802
Word #: 3 of 18
a woman
יָֽרָבְעָ֔ם And Jeroboam's H3379
יָֽרָבְעָ֔ם And Jeroboam's
Strong's: H3379
Word #: 4 of 18
jarobam, the name of two israelite kings
קָ֥מוּ and arose H6965
קָ֥מוּ and arose
Strong's: H6965
Word #: 5 of 18
to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
וַתֵּ֣לֶךְ H1980
וַתֵּ֣לֶךְ
Strong's: H1980
Word #: 6 of 18
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
שִׁלֹ֔ה to Shiloh H7887
שִׁלֹ֔ה to Shiloh
Strong's: H7887
Word #: 7 of 18
shiloh, a place in palestine
וַתָּבֹ֖א and came H935
וַתָּבֹ֖א and came
Strong's: H935
Word #: 8 of 18
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
בֵּ֣ית to the house H1004
בֵּ֣ית to the house
Strong's: H1004
Word #: 9 of 18
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
וַֽאֲחִיָּ֙הוּ֙ But Ahijah H281
וַֽאֲחִיָּ֙הוּ֙ But Ahijah
Strong's: H281
Word #: 10 of 18
achijah, the name of nine israelites
וַֽאֲחִיָּ֙הוּ֙ But Ahijah H281
וַֽאֲחִיָּ֙הוּ֙ But Ahijah
Strong's: H281
Word #: 11 of 18
achijah, the name of nine israelites
לֹֽא H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 12 of 18
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יָכֹ֣ל could H3201
יָכֹ֣ל could
Strong's: H3201
Word #: 13 of 18
to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might)
לִרְא֔וֹת not see H7200
לִרְא֔וֹת not see
Strong's: H7200
Word #: 14 of 18
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
כִּ֛י H3588
כִּ֛י
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 15 of 18
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
קָ֥מוּ and arose H6965
קָ֥מוּ and arose
Strong's: H6965
Word #: 16 of 18
to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
עֵינָ֖יו for his eyes H5869
עֵינָ֖יו for his eyes
Strong's: H5869
Word #: 17 of 18
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
מִשֵּׂיבֽוֹ׃ by reason of his age H7869
מִשֵּׂיבֽוֹ׃ by reason of his age
Strong's: H7869
Word #: 18 of 18
old age

Analysis & Commentary

And Jeroboam's wife did so, and arose, and went to Shiloh, and came to the house of Ahijah. But Ahijah could not see; for his eyes were set by reason of his age.

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 temple represents God's dwelling among His people and foreshadows Christ as Immanuel ('God with us').

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.

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

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