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.

1 KINGS 14:5KJV
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1 Kings 14:5 (KJV)

What does 1 Kings 14:5 mean?

1 Kings 14:5 describes how the LORD told the prophet Ahijah that Jeroboam’s wife was coming to ask him about her sick son, and that she would pretend to be someone else. God instructed Ahijah on exactly what to say to her when she arrived, knowing her intentions in advance.

In this verse, God is speaking directly to Ahijah, preparing him for a secret visit from Jeroboam’s wife. Jeroboam, the king of Israel, sent his wife in disguise because he did not want people to know she was seeking help from a prophet. The verse shows that God is fully aware of human plans and motives, even when people try to hide them.

The Hebrew behind 1 Kings 14:5

  • LORD (יְהוָה, YHWH): This is the personal name for God, emphasizing that it is God Himself who is revealing hidden things to Ahijah.
  • feign herself to be another (נָכְרִי, nokhri): This word means “to pretend” or “to act as a stranger.” It highlights that Jeroboam’s wife was intentionally trying to deceive the prophet by disguising her identity.

Why 1 Kings 14:5 matters

  • This verse makes clear that God’s knowledge is not limited by human deception; He knows the truth behind every action and intention.
  • The detail about Jeroboam’s wife disguising herself sets up the story’s tension and shows the lengths people will go to when they are desperate or afraid.
  • This moment connects to the broader theme in Kings of God’s prophets being given insight and words directly from God, even when others try to manipulate or hide the truth.

Where else these words appear

“thus” Hebrew H2090 · used in 12 verses

  • Judges 18:4 And he said unto them, Thus and thus dealeth Micah with me, and hath hired me, and I am his priest.
  • Psalms 132:12 If thy children will keep my covenant and my testimony that I shall teach them, their children shall also sit upon thy throne for evermore.
  • Ecclesiastes 5:19 Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and hath given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labour; this is the gift of God.

“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 14:4 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.
  • 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:

“another” Hebrew H5234 · used in 47 verses

  • Genesis 27:23 And he discerned him not, because his hands were hairy, as his brother Esau's hands: so he blessed him.
  • Ruth 2:19 And her mother in law said unto her, Where hast thou gleaned to day? and where wroughtest thou? blessed be he that did take knowledge of thee. And she shewed her mother in law with whom she had wrought, and said, The man's name with whom I wrought to day is Boaz.
  • Job 24:13 They are of those that rebel against the light; they know not the ways thereof, nor abide in the paths thereof.

“sick” Hebrew H2470 · used in 73 verses

  • Genesis 48:1 And it came to pass after these things, that one told Joseph, Behold, thy father is sick: and he took with him his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim.
  • 2 Kings 20:12 At that time Berodachbaladan, the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a present unto Hezekiah: for he had heard that Hezekiah had been sick.
  • Isaiah 39:1 At that time Merodachbaladan, the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a present to Hezekiah: for he had heard that he had been sick, and was recovered.