Ahijah
maleDivided MonarchyMeaning: “Brother of the LORD”
The prophet of Shiloh who foretold the division of Solomon’s kingdom and later pronounced doom on the dynasty of Jeroboam.
Biography
Ahijah the Shilonite was a prophet whose words bracketed the rise and fall of the northern kingdom's first dynasty. He first met Jeroboam on the road and dramatically tore his own new garment into twelve pieces, giving Jeroboam ten — a sign that God would tear ten tribes from Solomon's son and give them to him (1 Kings 11:29–31).
Judgment on Jeroboam
Years later, when Jeroboam had led Israel into the sin of the golden calves, his wife came in disguise to the aged, blind Ahijah to ask about their sick son. Ahijah recognized her at once and pronounced doom on the house of Jeroboam for its idolatry (1 Kings 14:6–16). His prophecies, both of elevation and of judgment, came to pass exactly.
Life Timeline
Foretells the division of the kingdom to Jeroboam
Pronounces doom on the house of Jeroboam
On the Bible timeline
Ahijah belongs to the The United Monarchy era (c. 1050 – 930 BC).
- c. 1010 – 970 BCDavid's Reign
- c. 966 BCSolomon's Temple Built
- c. 930 BCThe Kingdom Divides
Themes & lessons from Ahijah
Biblical themes that run through the passages where Ahijah appears.
People they appear with
Places in their story
Scripture Appearances
14 verses in 2 books1 Kings12 verses
1 Kings 11:29
And it came to pass at that time when Jeroboam went out of Jerusalem, that the prophet Ahijah the Shilonite found him in the way; and he had clad himself with a new garment; and they two were alone in the field:
1 Kings 11:30
And Ahijah caught the new garment that was on him, and rent it in twelve pieces:
1 Kings 12:15
Wherefore the king hearkened not unto the people; for the cause was from the LORD, that he might perform his saying, which the LORD spake by Ahijah the Shilonite unto Jeroboam the son of Nebat.
1 Kings 14:2
And Jeroboam said to his wife, Arise, I pray thee, and disguise thyself, that thou be not known to be the wife of Jeroboam; and get thee to Shiloh: behold, there is Ahijah the prophet, which told me that I should be king over this people.
1 Kings 14:4
And Jeroboam's wife did so, and arose, and went to Shiloh, and came to the house of Ahijah. But Ahijah could not see; for his eyes were set by reason of his age. were: Heb. stood for his hoariness
1 Kings 14:5
And the LORD said unto Ahijah, Behold, the wife of Jeroboam cometh to ask a thing of thee for her son; for he is sick: thus and thus shalt thou say unto her: for it shall be, when she cometh in, that she shall feign herself to be another woman.
1 Kings 14:6
And it was so, when Ahijah heard the sound of her feet, as she came in at the door, that he said, Come in, thou wife of Jeroboam; why feignest thou thyself to be another? for I am sent to thee with heavy tidings. heavy: Heb. hard
1 Kings 14:18
And they buried him; and all Israel mourned for him, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake by the hand of his servant Ahijah the prophet.
1 Kings 15:27
And Baasha the son of Ahijah, of the house of Issachar, conspired against him; and Baasha smote him at Gibbethon, which belonged to the Philistines; for Nadab and all Israel laid siege to Gibbethon.
1 Kings 15:29
And it came to pass, when he reigned, that he smote all the house of Jeroboam; he left not to Jeroboam any that breathed, until he had destroyed him, according unto the saying of the LORD, which he spake by his servant Ahijah the Shilonite:
1 Kings 15:33
In the third year of Asa king of Judah began Baasha the son of Ahijah to reign over all Israel in Tirzah, twenty and four years.
1 Kings 21:22
And will make thine house like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and like the house of Baasha the son of Ahijah, for the provocation wherewith thou hast provoked me to anger, and made Israel to sin.
2 Chronicles2 verses
2 Chronicles 9:29
Now the rest of the acts of Solomon, first and last, are they not written in the book of Nathan the prophet, and in the prophecy of Ahijah the Shilonite, and in the visions of Iddo the seer against Jeroboam the son of Nebat? book: Heb. words
2 Chronicles 10:15
So the king hearkened not unto the people: for the cause was of God, that the LORD might perform his word, which he spake by the hand of Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam the son of Nebat.
Frequently asked about Ahijah
Who was Ahijah in the Bible?
The prophet of Shiloh who foretold the division of Solomon’s kingdom and later pronounced doom on the dynasty of Jeroboam.
What does the name Ahijah mean?
The name Ahijah means “Brother of the LORD”.
What did Ahijah do in the Bible?
Ahijah served as prophet.
Where does Ahijah appear in the Bible?
Ahijah is mentioned 14 times across 2 books: 1 Kings, 2 Chronicles.
What can we learn from Ahijah?
The story of Ahijah touches on themes of abijah, prophets, shilonite, baasha — explore each to study the lessons drawn from Ahijah's life.
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