141 At that time Abijah the son of Jeroboam became sick . 2 Jeroboam said to his wife , "Arise now , and disguise yourself so that they will not know that you are the wife of Jeroboam , and go to Shiloh ; behold , Ahijah the prophet is there , who spoke concerning me that I would be king over this people . 3 " Take ten loaves with you, some cakes and a jar of honey , and go to him. He will tell you what will happen to the boy ." 4 Jeroboam's wife did so , and arose and went to Shiloh , and came to the house of Ahijah . Now Ahijah could not see , for his eyes were dim because of his age . 5 Now the Lord had said to Ahijah , "Behold , the wife of Jeroboam is coming to inquire of you concerning her son , for he is sick . You shall say thus and thus to her, for it will be when she arrives that she will pretend to be another woman ." 6 When Ahijah heard the sound of her feet coming in the doorway , he said , "Come in, wife of Jeroboam , why do you pretend to be another woman ? For I am sent to you with a harsh message.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Kings 14:1-6
Commentary on 1 Kings 14:1-6
(Read 1 Kings 14:1-6)
"At that time," when Jeroboam did evil, his child sickened. When sickness comes into our families, we should inquire whether there may not be some particular sin harboured in our houses, which the affliction is sent to convince us of, and reclaim us from. It had been more pious if he had desired to know wherefore God contended with him; had begged the prophet's prayers, and cast away his idols from him; but most people would rather be told their fortune, than their faults or their duty. He sent to Ahijah, because he had told him he should be king. Those who by sin disqualify themselves for comfort, yet expect that their ministers, because they are good men, should speak peace and comfort to them, greatly wrong themselves and their ministers. He sent his wife in disguise, that the prophet might only answer her question concerning her son. Thus some people would limit their ministers to smooth things, and care not for having the whole counsel of God declared to them, lest it should prophesy no good concerning them, but evil. But she shall know, at the first word, what she has to trust to. Tidings of a portion with hypocrites will be heavy tidings. God will judge men according to what they are, not by what they seem to be.