1 Kings 14:13
All Israel will mourn for him and bury him. For this is the only one belonging to Jeroboam who will receive a proper burial, because only in him has the LORD, the God of Israel, found any good in the house of Jeroboam.
All Israel will mourn for him
This phrase indicates a national recognition of the young prince's death. The mourning by "All Israel" suggests a collective acknowledgment of his unique character, which stood out even in a corrupt dynasty. The Hebrew root for "mourn" (סָפַד, safad) implies a deep, public lamentation, often accompanied by traditional rites. This mourning signifies a loss not just of a person, but of potential righteousness within a wayward house.

and bury him
The act of burial is significant in ancient Israelite culture, symbolizing honor and respect. Unlike others in Jeroboam's house who would face disgraceful deaths, this young man receives a proper burial. The Hebrew word for "bury" (קָבַר, qabar) underscores the importance of being laid to rest with dignity, a privilege not afforded to the rest of Jeroboam's lineage.

for he alone of Jeroboam’s house
This phrase highlights the exclusivity of the young prince's favor in God's eyes. "He alone" (לְבַדּוֹ, levado) emphasizes his singularity in righteousness amidst a family marked by idolatry and rebellion. It serves as a stark contrast to the rest of Jeroboam's house, which is condemned for its sins.

will be brought to the grave
Being "brought to the grave" signifies a peaceful end, a stark contrast to the violent deaths prophesied for the rest of Jeroboam's descendants. The Hebrew term for "grave" (קֶבֶר, qeber) often denotes a place of rest, suggesting that this young man will be spared the disgrace that befalls his family.

because in him there is found something good
This phrase reveals the divine assessment of the young prince's character. The Hebrew word for "good" (טוֹב, tov) implies moral goodness or favor in the eyes of God. Despite the pervasive evil in his family, this young man possesses a heart inclined toward righteousness, which God acknowledges and rewards.

toward the LORD, the God of Israel
This phrase specifies the direction of the young man's goodness. His favorable qualities are not just moral but are oriented "toward the LORD" (אֶל־יְהוָה, el-YHWH), indicating a relationship with the covenant God of Israel. This orientation sets him apart in a house that has largely turned away from God.

in the house of Jeroboam
The mention of "the house of Jeroboam" serves as a reminder of the broader context of idolatry and rebellion. Jeroboam, the first king of the northern kingdom of Israel, led his people into sin by establishing golden calves for worship. The young prince's goodness is all the more remarkable given the spiritual darkness of his environment.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jeroboam
The first king of the northern kingdom of Israel after the division of the united monarchy. His reign is marked by idolatry and leading Israel away from God.

2. Ahijah the Prophet
A prophet who delivers God's message to Jeroboam, including the prophecy concerning the death of Jeroboam's son.

3. Jeroboam's Son
The unnamed son of Jeroboam who falls ill and is the subject of the prophecy in 1 Kings 14:13. He is the only member of Jeroboam's house in whom God finds something good.

4. Israel
The northern kingdom, which mourns the death of Jeroboam's son, indicating his favorable standing among the people.

5. The LORD, the God of Israel
The covenant God of Israel, who judges the house of Jeroboam but finds something good in his son.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereign Judgment and Mercy
God's judgment on Jeroboam's house is severe, yet He shows mercy to the son by allowing him a dignified burial. This teaches us about the balance of God's justice and mercy.

The Importance of the Heart
God found something good in Jeroboam's son, emphasizing that God values the condition of our hearts over our external circumstances or family background.

The Impact of a Godly Legacy
Even in a corrupt household, one can stand out for good. This encourages us to pursue righteousness regardless of our environment.

Mourning and Hope
The mourning of Israel reflects the communal recognition of goodness. It reminds us that our lives can impact others positively, even in times of sorrow.
Bible Study Questions
1. What does the account of Jeroboam's son teach us about God's ability to find good in unexpected places, and how can this encourage us in our personal walk with God?

2. How does the concept of God looking at the heart, as seen in 1 Samuel 16:7, challenge us to evaluate our own lives and priorities?

3. In what ways can we ensure that we leave a godly legacy, even if we are surrounded by ungodliness, as Jeroboam's son did?

4. How can we find comfort in God's mercy during times of judgment or discipline, as seen in the account of Jeroboam's son?

5. Reflect on a time when you have mourned a loss. How can the promise of comfort in Matthew 5:4 provide hope and assurance in such times?
Connections to Other Scriptures
1 Samuel 16:7
This verse highlights that God looks at the heart, not outward appearances, which connects to why God found something good in Jeroboam's son.

2 Chronicles 12:12
This passage discusses God's mercy in the midst of judgment, similar to how God shows mercy to Jeroboam's son by allowing him a proper burial.

Matthew 5:4
The Beatitudes mention those who mourn will be comforted, paralleling the mourning of Israel for Jeroboam's son.
Abijah, or Some Good Thing Towards the LordSpurgeon, Charles Haddon1 Kings 14:13
Abijah; a Good Child in a Bad HomeHenry Smith.1 Kings 14:13
Abijah; Or, Early Piety and Evil ParentageF. Hastings.1 Kings 14:13
Abijah; Or, the Pious Youth in an Ungodly FamilyH. P. Bowen.1 Kings 14:13
Abijah's GraveW. F. Bishop.1 Kings 14:13
Early Cut Off, But Long RememberedJ. T. Davidson, D. D.1 Kings 14:13
Early Piety in an Unexpected PlaceA. Rowland 1 Kings 14:13
Grace in Different DegreesC. Love.1 Kings 14:13
Grace with its Different Degrees1 Kings 14:13
Modest GoodnessW. L. Watkinson.1 Kings 14:13
The Good ThingT. Hitchin, M. A.1 Kings 14:13
The History and Example of AbijahJ. Stratten.1 Kings 14:13
The History of AbijahJ. H. Evans, M. A.1 Kings 14:13
The Piety of AbijahT. Kidd.1 Kings 14:13
Unexpected GoodnessD. Thomas.1 Kings 14:13
A Good Boy and a Bad FamilyA. McAuslane, D. D.1 Kings 14:1-18
Affliction and JudgmentJ. Urquhart 1 Kings 14:1-20
The Reprobate's DoomJ.A. Macdonald 1 Kings 14:12-14
People
Abijah, Abijam, Ahijah, David, Israelites, Jeroboam, Naamah, Nadab, Rehoboam, Shishak, Sodomites, Solomon, Tirzah
Places
Bethel, Egypt, Euphrates River, Jerusalem, Shiloh, Tirzah
Topics
Alone, Anything, Belonging, Body, Buried, Bury, Family, Grave, Jeroboam, Jerobo'am, Jeroboam's, Lamentation, Mourn, Mourned, Pleasing, Rest, Resting-place, Towards, Weeping
Dictionary of Bible Themes
1 Kings 14:6-16

     1431   prophecy, OT methods

1 Kings 14:7-13

     1429   prophecy, OT fulfilment

Library
Synopsis. --The Gradual Narrowing of the Miraculous Element in the Bible by Recent Discovery and Discussion. --The Alarm Thereby Excited in the Church. --The Fallacy Which
It is barely forty years since that beloved and fearless Christian scholar, Dean Stanley, spoke thus of the miracles recorded of the prophet Elisha: "His works stand alone in the Bible in their likeness to the acts of mediaeval saints. There alone in the Sacred History the gulf between Biblical and Ecclesiastical miracles almost disappears."[5] It required some courage to say as much as this then, while the storm of persecution was raging against Bishop Colenso for his critical work on the Pentateuch.
James Morris Whiton—Miracles and Supernatural Religion

Jeroboam
BY REV. ALFRED ROWLAND, D.D., LL.B. "Jeroboam, who did sin, and who made Israel to sin."--1 KINGS xiv. 16. Jeroboam's character is worthy of serious study, not only because it influenced the destiny of God's ancient people, but because it suggests lessons of the utmost value to His people still. He may be fairly regarded as a type of those who are successful men of the world. He was not an example of piety, for he had none--nor of lofty principle, for he was an opportunist who made expediency
George Milligan—Men of the Bible; Some Lesser-Known

Whether Contention is a Mortal Sin?
Objection 1: It would seem that contention is not a mortal sin. For there is no mortal sin in spiritual men: and yet contention is to be found in them, according to Lk. 22:24: "And there was also a strife amongst" the disciples of Jesus, "which of them should . . . be the greatest." Therefore contention is not a mortal sin. Objection 2: Further, no well disposed man should be pleased that his neighbor commit a mortal sin. But the Apostle says (Phil. 1:17): "Some out of contention preach Christ,"
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Whether Divination by Drawing Lots is Unlawful?
Objection 1: It would seem that divination by drawing lots is not unlawful, because a gloss of Augustine on Ps. 30:16, "My lots are in Thy hands," says: "It is not wrong to cast lots, for it is a means of ascertaining the divine will when a man is in doubt." Objection 2: There is, seemingly, nothing unlawful in the observances which the Scriptures relate as being practiced by holy men. Now both in the Old and in the New Testament we find holy men practicing the casting of lots. For it is related
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

The Whole Heart
LET me give the principal passages in which the words "the whole heart," "all the heart," are used. A careful study of them will show how wholehearted love and service is what God has always asked, because He can, in the very nature of things, ask nothing less. The prayerful and believing acceptance of the words will waken the assurance that such wholehearted love and service is exactly the blessing the New Covenant was meant to make possible. That assurance will prepare us for turning to the Omnipotence
Andrew Murray—The Two Covenants

Sovereignty and Human Responsibility
"So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God" (Rom. 14:12). In our last chapter we considered at some length the much debated and difficult question of the human will. We have shown that the will of the natural man is neither Sovereign nor free but, instead, a servant and slave. We have argued that a right conception of the sinner's will-its servitude-is essential to a just estimate of his depravity and ruin. The utter corruption and degradation of human nature is something which
Arthur W. Pink—The Sovereignty of God

The Prophet Joel.
PRELIMINARY REMARKS. The position which has been assigned to Joel in the collection of the Minor Prophets, furnishes an external argument for the determination of the time at which Joel wrote. There cannot be any doubt that the Collectors were guided by a consideration of the chronology. The circumstance, that they placed the prophecies of Joel just between the two prophets who, according to the inscriptions and contents of their prophecies, belonged to the time of Jeroboam and Uzziah, is
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

Kings
The book[1] of Kings is strikingly unlike any modern historical narrative. Its comparative brevity, its curious perspective, and-with some brilliant exceptions--its relative monotony, are obvious to the most cursory perusal, and to understand these things is, in large measure, to understand the book. It covers a period of no less than four centuries. Beginning with the death of David and the accession of Solomon (1 Kings i., ii.) it traverses his reign with considerable fulness (1 Kings iii.-xi.),
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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