14:1 Abijah Means “my father is Yahweh.” He is referred to both by the Hebrew word na'ar (meaning “boy” or “adolescent”; vv. 3, 17) and yeled (meaning “child”; v. 12).

14:2 king See 11:29–40.

14:3 You must take ten loaves of bread in your hand Those seeking advice or prayers on their behalf (intercession) from a prophet often brought the prophet a gift (1 Sam 9:7; 2 Kgs 5:15; 8:8).

a jar of honey A sign of the bounty of the land (see Exod 3:8; Num 13:27; Deut 6:3). Israelites found honey in the wild (see Deut 32:13; Judg 14:8–9; 1 Sam 14:25–27). The prophet likely appreciated this gift (2 Sam 17:29; Gen 43:11).

shall tell you what will happen to the boy Ancients often consulted a prophet regarding sicknesses—particularly of a child (2 Kgs 1:2; 8:8).

14:6 a hard message The Hebrew word here implies “harshness” or “a harsh matter” (see 1 Kgs 12:13).

14:7 I raised you from the midst of the people Refers to Ahijah’s earlier prophecy concerning Jeroboam (11:29–39).

14:8 you were not like my servant David David served as the standard for good, kingly behavior (see 3:6; 9:4; 11:4)—a standard to which only Josiah measured up (2 Kgs 22:2).

14:9 other gods and molten idols The Hebrew word used here denotes “molten” or “metal images” and refers to Jeroboam’s golden calves (1 Kgs 12:28–29).

14:10 I will cut off males from Jeroboam Elijah brings this same threat against Ahab, one of Jeroboam’s successors (21:21–24).

manure Used as fuel in the ancient Near East.

14:11 the birds of the heavens will eat Yahweh promises the same punishment to those who break a covenant with Him (Deut 28:26), suggesting that Jeroboam violated the terms of his appointment (1 Kgs 11:38).

Yahweh has spoken Marks the closing of a divine word.

14:13 to a tomb Instead of being eaten by dogs or birds (v. 11).

a good thing The Hebrew phrase here can be rendered as “good thing” and often connotes a promise of Yahweh’s favor or fortune (see Josh 21:43; 1 Kgs 8:56; Jer 29:10).

14:14 a king for himself over Israel Refers to Baasha, who assassinates Jeroboam’s son, Nadab (1 Kgs 15:27–30).

14:15 Israel The focus of the prophecy shifts from the actions of Jeroboam to the sinful ways of the whole nation.

as one shakes the reed plant in the water Describes instability (2 Kgs 18:21; Ezek 29:6).

he will root Israel up from this good land A curse for not following Yahweh (Deut 29:27; Jer 12:14).

He will scatter them beyond the River This is fulfilled when the Assyrians take control of the northern kingdom of Israel and scatter the people among Assyria’s provinces in 722 bc (2 Kgs 17:6, 24).

sacred poles Sacred poles connected to the worship of the Canaanite goddess Asherah; they are also sometimes affiliated with altars of the Canaanite god Baal (Judg 6:25).

14:16 the sin of Refers to Jeroboam’s installation of the golden calves and establishment of high places. Because of Jeroboam’s actions, the people worshiped Yahweh and other gods at temples of the high places (1 Kings 11:25–33; 13:33–34).

14:17 to Tirzah The capital of the northern kingdom, Israel, from the time of Jeroboam (see 15:21, 33; 16:6–17) to Omri, who moved the capital to Samaria (16:23–24).

to the threshold of the house Ahijah’s prophecy claimed that the child would die once Jeroboam’s wife entered the city (v. 12).

14:19 the events of the days of the kings of Israel The author of 1–2 Kings may have drawn from this source, which apparently is different from the biblical book of Chronicles (given that the Chronicler refers to it, as well; see note on 1 Chr 9:1). The mention of this separate volume suggests that the biblical book of Kings was not intended to be merely a record of events; such information could be found elsewhere.

14:20 he slept with his ancestors See note on 1 Kings 2:10.

14:21 to place his name Yahweh put His name in the temple in Jerusalem (9:3).

the name of his mother was Naamah the Ammonitess The narrative of 1–2 Kings notes only the mothers of those kings descended from David; thus this is a mark of prestige, even if Rehoboam bears the social stigma of his mother being a foreign wife (Deut 7:1–5; 1 Kgs 11:1–8).

14:22 Judah In contrast, Greek versions specify Rehoboam.

they annoyed him The Hebrew word here means “provoke” or “incense,” resulting in anger (Gen 37:11; Num 5:14; Deut 32:21). Yahweh is provoked because Israel worshiped other gods (Exod 20:5).

more than their fathers did This reference to “fathers” may explain the discrepancy between the Hebrew and Greek versions (see previous note on “Judah”). Reading “Rehoboam” implies that David and Solomon were both sinners.

14:23 on every high hill A standard phrase describing the location of Canaanite religious sites (see Deut 12:2–3; Jer 2:20; 3:6; 17:2; Ezek 6:13; 20:28). These sites were often associated with fertility.

14:24 male shrine prostitutes The Hebrew word used here denotes a sacred, consecrated person (e.g., 1 Kings 15:12; 22:46; 2 Kgs 23:7). The connection between these people and prostitution can only be inferred.

14:25 fifth year Dated events are rare in the 1–2 Kings.

Shishak First king of the 22nd Dynasty of Egypt (reigned ca. 931–910 bc). Shishak had harbored Jeroboam after Solomon sought to kill him (1 Kings 11:40).

14:26 the treasures of the house of Yahweh See 7:13–51.

the small gold shields Solomon kept these shields in the House of the Forest of Lebanon See 10:16–17.

14:27 Rehoboam made small copper shields in place of them Signifies that the splendor of Solomon’s reign was gone.

entrusted them to the commanders of Rehoboam gave the shields to those who would use them, rather than keeping them in a storehouse (10:17). This also might suggest that Rehoboam needed to keep his bodyguards fully armed at all times, a sign that the peace of Solomon’s reign was gone, as well.

14:28 the alcove room of the royal guard The Hebrew word here is an architectural term for “gate chamber” (Ezek 40:10, 12)—a small room built into a city’s gate used to store items or tend to official business.

14:29 the events of the days of the kings of See note on 1 Kgs 14:19.

14:31 slept with his ancestors See note on 2:10.