And Ahijah caught the new garment that was on him ,.... This looks as if it was Jeroboam's garment, having got a new one to appear before the king in; though the sense may be this, that the prophet took hold of his own garment that was upon himself: and rent it in twelve pieces ; as symbolical of the twelve tribes of Israel. read more
The call to Jeroboam. I. THE UNWEARIED EFFORTS OF GOD TO WIN MEN FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS . This is the beginning of the story of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin. 1 . He is met by mercy . The widow's son is made king of Israel. 2 . By counsel and promise ( 1 Kings 11:38 ). The seed is east upon the stony ground and among the thorns, as well as upon the good soil. Learn— 1 . That, like the great husbandman, we should sow the seed of the... read more
The Message of Ahijah. As Jeroboam went out of Jerusalem with his commission from Solomon to rule as his lieutenant over the house of Joseph, meditating how he might use his fortune to construct a throne, he was met by Ahijah the Shilonite, who accosted him in a manner agreeable to his ambition. In the message of Ahijah we have— I. A PROPHECY . 1 . This was expressed in sign . 2 . The prophecy also is expressed in words ( 1 Kings 11:31-39 ). II. ITS REASONS .... read more
And Ahijah caught [This English word almost implies that it was Jeroboam's garment (cf. Genesis 39:12 ); but the original simply means "laid hold of."] the new garment that was on him, and rent [same word as in 1 Kings 11:11 , 1 Kings 11:12 , 1 Kings 11:13 ] it in twelve pieces. [The first instance of an "acted parable" (Rawlinson).] read more
The first instance of the “acted parable.” Generally this mode was adopted upon express divine command (see Jeremiah 13:1-11; Ezekiel 3:1-3). A connection may be traced between the type selected and the words of the announcement to Solomon (1 Kings 11:11-13. Compare 1 Samuel 15:26-28). read more
1 Kings 11:30-32. And rent it in twelve pieces An emblem of what he was to acquaint him with; or rather a prediction of it. For there were two ways, in those ancient times, of foretelling future events; one in express words, the other by signs and resemblances, many instances of which we have often after this of Ahijah. And will give ten tribes to thee Hence it is generally called, the kingdom of the ten tribes. But he shall have one tribe Besides his own. Or Benjamin and Judah may, be... read more
Solomon’s idolatry (11:1-43)Although some of Solomon’s marriages were for political purposes, most of his wives and concubines were probably given to him as gifts. These women usually brought their gods into Israel, and Solomon’s weakness in worshipping these gods led finally to his downfall (11:1-8). God’s judgment on Solomon and Israel was to bring the long-standing friction between northerners and southerners to a climax in the division of the kingdom. Only Solomon’s tribe Judah (which had... read more
rent it. Symbolic act. Compare 1 Kings 22:11 .Isaiah 20:2 , &c. Jeremiah 19:1-13 .Ezekiel 12:1-20 . Zechariah 11:7 , Zechariah 11:10 , Zechariah 11:14 . read more
1 Kings 11:30. Ahijah caught the new garment,—and rent it— Language, it appears from the nature of the thing, from the records of history, and from the remains of the most ancient languages still subsisting, was at first extremely rude, narrow, and equivocal; so that men would be perpetually at a loss, on any new conception or uncommon incident, to explain themselves intelligibly to one another. This would necessarily set them upon supplying the deficiencies of speech, by apt and significant... read more
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Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Kings 11:26-40
We have here the first mention of that infamous name Jeroboam the son of Nebat, that made Israel to sin; he is here brought upon the stage as an adversary to Solomon, whom God had expressly told (1 Kgs. 11:11) that he would give the greatest part of his kingdom to his servant, and Jeroboam was the man. We have here an account, I. Of his extraction, 1 Kgs. 11:26. He was of the tribe of Ephraim, he next in honour to Judah. His mother was a widow, to whom Providence had made up the loss of a... read more