1 Kings 14:5
French (La Bible expliquée)
mais le Seigneur l'avait prévenu en ces termes: « La femme de Jéroboam va venir. Elle sera déguisée et elle t'interrogera au sujet de son fils qui est malade. Tu lui donneras telle et telle réponse. » Même âgé et aveugle, le prophète Ahia peut voir clair dans les affaires politiques: n'est-ce pas Dieu qui le mandate? Ainsi, ce même prophète qui avait encouragé l'entreprise politique de Jéroboam (11.29-32) est aujourd'hui celui qui, au moment de la maladie de son enfant, annonce à Jéroboam la condamnation de toute sa famille, comme sanction de l'idolâtrie que le roi a installée dans son royaume. Nous restons choqués devant la brutalité de cette lecture de l'histoire. Elle appartient au style tragique de l'Antiquité, où les situations doivent être dramatisées en sorte que la narration populaire obtienne son effet persuasif. Une menace mortelle plane sur les partisans des cultes idolâtres, et semble dire: Voyez ce qui est arrivé à Jéroboam et à sa famille! Le récit soulève la question de la rétribution et met en relief la responsabilité collective dans le cas de l'idolâtrie. L'affaire est d'autant plus grave que le roi est le représentant de Dieu au milieu de son peuple. La mort d'un enfant innocent est un signe donné au roi et au peuple. Certes, l'enfant a droit à une sépulture convenable, mais on ne peut que réagir devant la dureté d'un tel jugement. Il faudra l'intervention forte de Ézék 18, pour aller plus avant dans la réflexion et promouvoir la responsabilité individuelle face à la responsabilité collective.
What Does This Mean?
In this verse, God tells the prophet Ahijah that Jeroboam's wife is coming to seek advice about her sick son. God instructs Ahijah about what to tell her and mentions that she will pretend to be someone else when she arrives.
Explained for Children
Imagine if your friend's mom came to your house but pretended to be someone else because she was worried about something. That's what's happening here. God tells a special man named Ahijah that Jeroboam's wife will come to ask for help about her sick child, but she'll act like she's not who she really is.
Historical Background
The book of 1 Kings was written by an unknown author, probably a prophet, during the time of the divided kingdom of Israel. This verse is set in a time when the Israelites were divided into two kingdoms, and Jeroboam was the king of the northern kingdom. The cultural context involved complex political and religious dynamics.
Living It Out Today
Imagine you're at work and a colleague comes to you for advice on a tricky situation but pretends to be someone else. This scenario can remind us to be honest and transparent in our dealings with others, as it is often more helpful and builds trust.
Topics
prophesyfaithfulnessdeceptionsicknessdivine communicationadvice
Related Verses
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Jeroboam's wife pretend to be someone else?
Jeroboam's wife might have pretended to be someone else to avoid any biases or judgments from Ahijah due to her husband's reputation as a king and his actions. This shows the complexity of her situation and her desire for honest advice.
What was the main message God wanted Ahijah to convey?
The main message was to provide Jeroboam's wife with a specific response regarding her sick son, which likely included a divine judgment or prophecy about the child's fate and the consequences of Jeroboam's actions.
How does this verse relate to the theme of honesty?
While Jeroboam's wife is not being honest, the verse highlights the importance of truth and divine honesty through the prophetic message Ahijah is to deliver, emphasizing the contrast between human deceit and divine transparency.
What can we learn from this verse about seeking advice?
We learn that it's important to be sincere when seeking advice, as honesty allows for a clearer and more effective guidance. It also underscores the role of divine insight in our lives.