What does 1 Kings 14:12 Mean?

Context Summary

How blind we become when we sin against our conscience! Each act of willful sin puts another shade on the window of the soul. "Their foolish heart was darkened," Romans 1:21. Surely if the prophet were able to predict the issue of this sickness, he would be able to penetrate the mother's disguise, although she brought only the gifts of a poor peasant woman. Jeroboam had devised this ruse, partly, because he did not wish the nation to know that he was consulting a prophet of Jehovah-an act which might invalidate his new temple and the calves, and also because he wanted to get a more favorable answer than that which he anticipated in case the prophet recognized the inquirer. We may disguise ourselves as we will, but we cannot cheat God, and no dissembling can ever turn away the arrow that speeds straight to the guilty heart.

Jewish historians say that the exception was made in Abijah's case, 1 Kings 14:13, because he interceded with his father that all Israelites who wished might be allowed to go to the feasts at Jerusalem, without being penalized. There is always discrimination in the divine judgments. How often God has brought beautiful lives out of foul surroundings, as the pure lily-cup out of a muddy pond! [source]

Chapter Summary: 1 Kings 14

¹  Abijah being sick,
²  Jeroboam sends his wife, disguised, with presents to the prophet Ahijah
⁵  Ahijah forewarned by God, denounces God's judgment
¹⁷  Abijah dies, and is buried
¹⁹  Nadab succeeds Jeroboam
²¹  Rehoboam's wicked reign,
²⁵  Shishak raids Jerusalem
²⁹  Abijam succeeds Rehoboam