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.

1 KINGS 14:2KJV
Know the Bible

1 Kings 14:2 (KJV)

What does 1 Kings 14:2 mean?

1 Kings 14:2 describes Jeroboam telling his wife to disguise herself so people will not recognize her as his wife, and to go to Shiloh to visit Ahijah the prophet, who had previously told Jeroboam he would become king. Jeroboam wants his wife to seek out Ahijah without drawing attention to her identity or their connection.

Jeroboam, who is now king of Israel, is speaking privately to his wife because he wants information from Ahijah, a prophet known for delivering messages from God. Jeroboam’s instruction for his wife to disguise herself suggests he is worried about being recognized or about what the prophet might say if he knows who she is. The setting is tense, as Jeroboam is seeking guidance or a message from God through Ahijah, but is not approaching openly.

The Hebrew behind 1 Kings 14:2

  • "disguise" (שָׁנָה, shanah): This word often means "to change" or "to alter." Here, it highlights that Jeroboam wants his wife to change her appearance or manner so she will not be recognized, showing a sense of secrecy or fear.
  • "known" (יָדַע, yada‘): This word means "to know" or "to recognize." Jeroboam’s concern is that people might identify his wife as the queen, which could have political or personal consequences.
  • "Shiloh" (שִׁלוֹ, Shiloh): The town of Shiloh was an important religious center in Israel’s earlier history. Jeroboam sending his wife there to see Ahijah connects this moment to Israel’s spiritual past.

Why 1 Kings 14:2 matters

  • This verse shows Jeroboam’s anxiety and lack of openness, even though he once received God’s promise through Ahijah; it hints at his troubled relationship with God and the prophet.
  • The act of disguising his wife suggests Jeroboam is trying to control the situation or avoid consequences, which adds tension and foreshadows the seriousness of the message he expects.
  • The mention of Ahijah, the prophet who made Jeroboam king, connects the current crisis to earlier promises and prophecies, reminding the reader of how far Jeroboam’s story has come.

Where else these words appear

“disguise” Hebrew H8138 · used in 21 verses

  • Genesis 41:32 And for that the dream was doubled unto Pharaoh twice; it is because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass.
  • Esther 1:7 And they gave them drink in vessels of gold,(the vessels being diverse one from another,) and royal wine in abundance, according to the state of the king.
  • Proverbs 17:9 He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.

“Ahijah” Hebrew H281 · used in 23 verses

  • 1 Samuel 14:3 And Ahiah, the son of Ahitub, Ichabod's brother, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eli, the LORD'S priest in Shiloh, wearing an ephod. And the people knew not that Jonathan was gone.
  • 1 Kings 14:5 And the LORD said unto Ahijah, Behold, the wife of Jeroboam cometh to ask a thing of thee for her son; for he is sick: thus and thus shalt thou say unto her: for it shall be, when she cometh in, that she shall feign herself to be another woman.
  • 2 Kings 9:9 And I will make the house of Ahab like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and like the house of Baasha the son of Ahijah:

“Shiloh” Hebrew H7887 · used in 30 verses

  • Joshua 18:1 And 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.
  • Judges 21:12 And they found among the inhabitants of Jabeshgilead four hundred young virgins, that had known no man by lying with any male: and they brought them unto the camp to Shiloh, which is in the land of Canaan.
  • 1 Samuel 4:12 And there ran a man of Benjamin out of the army, and came to Shiloh the same day with his clothes rent, and with earth upon his head.

“Jeroboam” Hebrew H3379 · used in 95 verses

  • 1 Kings 11:26 And Jeroboam the son of Nebat, an Ephrathite of Zereda, Solomon's servant, whose mother's name was Zeruah, a widow woman, even he lifted up his hand against the king.
  • 1 Kings 15:1 Now in the eighteenth year of king Jeroboam the son of Nebat reigned Abijam over Judah.
  • 2 Kings 15:8 In the thirty and eighth year of Azariah king of Judah did Zachariah the son of Jeroboam reign over Israel in Samaria six months.