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.

1 KINGS 14:4KJV
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1 Kings 14:4 (KJV)

What does 1 Kings 14:4 mean?

1 Kings 14:4 describes Jeroboam’s wife carrying out his instructions to visit Ahijah, an elderly man who had spoken to Jeroboam on God’s behalf. Her arrival brings her face to face with the person Jeroboam hopes will answer a question about their sick son.

The narrator tells the story; no one speaks in this verse. After Jeroboam sends his wife in disguise, the description of Ahijah’s failing sight creates a contrast between her attempt to conceal her identity and his inability to see her.

The Hebrew behind 1 Kings 14:4

  • “set” — קוּם (qum): This Hebrew word can mean “rise” or “stand.” Here the expression about Ahijah’s eyes is often understood to mean that his gaze had become fixed, describing his loss of sight.

Why 1 Kings 14:4 matters

  • Ahijah’s inability to see does not mean he will be unable to identify his visitor. In verse 5, the Lord tells him who is coming and what to say to her.
  • The visit is connected to Jeroboam’s concern for his son, not merely a social call. In verse 3, Jeroboam says Ahijah will tell his wife what will happen to the child.
  • Ahijah already has a history with Jeroboam. Earlier, Ahijah told Jeroboam that he would rule over ten tribes of Israel (1 Kings 11:29–31).

Where else these words appear

“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's” 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.