Why do you think Jeroboam asked his wife to put on a disguise and travel to Shiloh to see the prophet Ahijah?
A. Perhaps he felt that the prophet would not help him in light of his unresponsiveness to the message of the “man of God.”

B. Perhaps he felt that he might discredit his sinfully contrived religious system if the people knew he was consulting a true prophet rather than his carelessly appointed false priests and hirelings in a time of personal distress. Jeroboam’s actions indicate that he had no confidence in either his golden calves of his false priests. It is interesting to note that people often have no need for God’s man until they are in distress.

C. Perhaps he felt that since Ahijah had rightly prophesied his ascent to the throne he could rightly reveal the outcome of his son’s illness.

D. Perhaps he sent his wife because he did not have the courage to face the prophet himself, knowing that Ahijah would probably condemn him for his sinful leadership.

Note that Jeroboam said to his wife, “He will tell you what will happen to the boy” (verse 2). He did not ask his wife to ask the prophet how his son’s health might be restored.

Note also that the disguise did not work. God revealed to the blind old prophet that Jeroboam’s wife was coming to see him. God also instructed Ahijah regarding what to tell Jeroboam’s wife (see 1 Kings 14:5). This accentuates the fact that a prophet is a servant of God and is to be obedient to fulfill the instructions he receives from God. A prophet must tell God’s message faithfully without respect of persons, even as Ahijah delivered God’s message to Jeroboam’s wife.

What news did Jeroboam’s wife receive from Ahijah?
Ahijah reviewed God’s goodness to Jeroboam (verses 7-8), Jeroboam’s sin (verses 8-9), and prophesied the complete destruction of the house of Jeroboam (verses 10-16) and the scattering of the Northern Kingdom of Israel (see 2 Kings 17:6-23). Ahijah was the first of a long line of prophets to speak of exile beyond the Euphrates River.

God’s judgment is always just and always justified. So that Jeroboam and the people and the generations to come might know the reason for such severe judgment, Ahijah stated the reason in verse 16. We see in this verse the severe consequences (God “will give up Israel”) and contagious nature (Jeroboam “made Israel to sin”) of sin. See Psalm 103:8-9. God will not tolerate evil forever.

Note that only one member of Jeroboam’s family, Abijah, was to receive a proper burial (see verses 13 and 17-18). The descendants of Jeroboam would be denied a proper burial (verse 11). As prophesied in verse 14, Jeroboam’s house was destroyed (see 1 Kings 15:25-30).

What confirmation do we have in 1 Kings 14:17-18 that what Ahijah spoke would come to pass?
A. The child died as soon as Jeroboam’s wife stepped over the threshold of her home, just as Ahijah had said (verse 12). This was the beginning of judgment.

B. The nation mourned the child’s death (verse 13) as Ahijah had said.