Go, tell Jeroboam, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Forasmuch as I exalted thee from among the people, and made thee prince over my people Israel,

1 KINGS 14:7KJV
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1 Kings 14:7 (KJV)

What does 1 Kings 14:7 mean?

1 Kings 14:7 records God’s message to Jeroboam, reminding him that it was the LORD, the God of Israel, who raised Jeroboam up from among the people and made him ruler over Israel. The verse emphasizes that Jeroboam’s position as leader was not by his own doing, but by God’s choice and action.

The prophet Ahijah is told by God to deliver this message to Jeroboam. The context is a confrontation: Jeroboam has led Israel into idolatry, and God is reminding him of the grace and authority that put him in power. The verse sets up a contrast between God’s generous act of making Jeroboam prince and Jeroboam’s later unfaithfulness.

The Hebrew behind 1 Kings 14:7

  • LORD (יְהוָה, YHWH): This is the personal name of Israel’s God, highlighting that the message comes from the covenant God who has a history with Israel.
  • exalted (הֵרִימֹתִיךָ, herimotikha): This word means “to lift up” or “raise.” It stresses that Jeroboam’s rise was an act of God’s favor, not personal achievement.
  • prince (נָגִיד, nagid): This term means “leader” or “ruler,” but often with the sense of someone appointed or designated by higher authority, not just a king by birthright.

Why 1 Kings 14:7 matters

  • The verse clarifies that Jeroboam’s authority was a gift from God, not something he earned or seized on his own.
  • By highlighting God’s role in Jeroboam’s rise, the verse sets up the seriousness of Jeroboam’s later failures; he is accountable to the One who appointed him.
  • This reminder connects to the wider passage, where God’s disappointment and coming judgment on Jeroboam are rooted in his failure to honor the privilege and responsibility given to him.

Where else these words appear

“as” Hebrew H3282 · used in 16 verses

  • Genesis 22:16 And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the LORD, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son:
  • 1 Kings 21:29 Seest thou how Ahab humbleth himself before me? because he humbleth himself before me, I will not bring the evil in his days: but in his son's days will I bring the evil upon his house.
  • Ezekiel 12:12 And the prince that is among them shall bear upon his shoulder in the twilight, and shall go forth: they shall dig through the wall to carry out thereby: he shall cover his face, that he see not the ground with his eyes.

“prince” Hebrew H5057 · used in 44 verses

  • 1 Samuel 9:16 To morrow about this time I will send thee a man out of the land of Benjamin, and thou shalt anoint him to be captain over my people Israel, that he may save my people out of the hand of the Philistines: for I have looked upon my people, because their cry is come unto me.
  • 1 Chronicles 12:27 And Jehoiada was the leader of the Aaronites, and with him were three thousand and seven hundred;
  • 2 Chronicles 31:13 And Jehiel, and Azaziah, and Nahath, and Asahel, and Jerimoth, and Jozabad, and Eliel, and Ismachiah, and Mahath, and Benaiah, were overseers under the hand of Cononiah and Shimei his brother, at the commandment of Hezekiah the king, and Azariah the ruler of the house of God.

“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.