God's prophet gives a more precise description of judgment on the House of Jeroboam. Israel suffers severe losses in battle with Judah.
1 Kings 14:1-4 -- Within days of the lesson from the young prophet from Judah, Jeroboam's son fell ill. It seems he liked the name Abijah for his son, as had Rehoboam. He knew this charade of his false religion would not help him at all. He sought to get in touch with the prophet who had told him God's plan to raise him to rule over Israel. Sending his wife, he convinced her to go in disguise to inquire of the prophet Ahijah. He also had her take a significant offering, as was the custom when noblemen inquired of prophets. Her effort at disguise was wasted for two reasons. First, Ahijah was blind.
14:5-16 -- The other reason her disguise was wasted was the Lord told Ahijah what was going on. When she arrived, Ahijah called her by name, and rebuked her ruse. His message to her was harsh. Jeroboam had been raised up by God Himself, to reign for Him over Israel. Jeroboam refused to obey the clear command from God, and sinned far worse than the man whose sin brought about Jeroboam's reign. Jeroboam was to be a one-man dynasty, as no male from his household, slave or free, would long survive him.
Jeroboam's wife would return home. When her feet crossed the threshold of the city, their son would die. He would be buried properly, as he found favor with God. Yet on this very day, God would prepare a usurper to slaughter the entire house of Jeroboam. All their bodies would feed carrion eaters. Further, the nation of Israel would one day be scattered in exile beyond the Euphrates. This because Jeroboam made Israel to sin.
14:17-20 -- Some time during his reign, Jeroboam had moved his throne to Tirzah, several miles north and east of Shechem. This was the city of which his wife entered the gates at the death of their son. There was an appropriate funeral for him, with elders and officials from across the kingdom mourning for him. He was the only male of the household to receive such honor. The writer leaves the story there, and we shift to Chronicles for the last tale.
2 Chronicles 13:1-12 -- We are given an introduction to the reign of Rehoboam's son, Abijah, 913-910 BC. We are told in 1 Kings 15:1-8 that he was no better than his father, walking in the same sins. Both had permitted a recovery of the nasty practice of male homosexual prostitutes ("dogs") in pagan temples. His entire reign was absorbed in war with his neighbor Jeroboam to the north.
Abijah was able to muster 400,000 troops. Jeroboam was able to double that. In one particular battle, Abijah advanced into the north, to an area that was originally the north edge of Benjamin. From his position on a hilltop, he addressed his enemy. In his speech, he conveniently forgot that God had taken away the north and given it to Jeroboam. Abijah told the story as one of simple rebellion against God by rebelling against the House of David. He referred to the golden bulls and the Levites driven out of Israel. He notes that any man who can get hold of a bull and seven rams can become a priest. This compared to the Levites following the Law of Moses in the Temple. Thus, he invokes the name of Jehovah as their general in battle, and the northern tribes as in rebellion against Him. That much was true.
13:13-20 -- Meanwhile, Jeroboam's troops set up an ambush behind Judah's position. With double the number of troops, either half, one in front and one behind, was an equal match. In response, the army of Judah called out to God, even sounding the Levitical shofar trumpets. This fired up their courage and men of Judah gave an ear-splitting yell as they prepared to charge. The Lord used this sound to put fear in the men of Israel, and they fled. Most the Jeroboam's troops were cut down. The loss was staggering. Judah managed to capture Bethel, a major sore spot with its rival temple, as well as Jeshanah and Ephron. Jeroboam never recovered enough to fight Judah again. His death is described being struck by God. Whether by sword or by beast, Jeroboam died and was not laid to rest.
13:21-22 -- The rest of the story describes how Abijah still broke Moses' command regarding multiple wives, but not quite so many as his father. He took 14 wives, and between them they bore him 22 sons and 16 daughters.
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Ed Hurst
13 November 2004
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