Topical Bible: Burial: Attended by Relatives and Friends: Child of Jeroboam

◄ Burial: Attended by Relatives and Friends: Child of Jeroboam ►

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In the biblical narrative, the burial of the child of Jeroboam is a poignant event that underscores the themes of divine judgment and mercy. Jeroboam, the first king of the northern kingdom of Israel after the division of the united monarchy, is a significant figure whose reign is marked by idolatry and rebellion against God. The account of his child's death and burial is found in 1 Kings 14.

Jeroboam's son, Abijah, fell ill, prompting Jeroboam to send his wife in disguise to the prophet Ahijah in Shiloh to inquire about the child's fate. Ahijah, though blind due to old age, received a revelation from the LORD regarding the visit and delivered a message of judgment against Jeroboam's house. The prophet declared that because of Jeroboam's sins, calamity would come upon his household, and his lineage would be cut off. However, a unique aspect of this prophecy was the LORD's acknowledgment of something good found in the child, Abijah, which led to a distinct outcome for him.

1 Kings 14:12-13 records the prophet's words: "As for you, get up and go home. When your feet enter the city, the child will die. All Israel will mourn for him and bury him, for he alone of Jeroboam’s house will be brought to the grave, because in him there was found something good to the LORD, the God of Israel."

This passage highlights that the child, unlike the rest of Jeroboam's descendants, would receive a proper burial, attended by mourning from all Israel. The communal mourning and burial signify a recognition of the child's innocence and the LORD's mercy amidst judgment. The burial attended by relatives and friends serves as a testament to the child's favorable standing before God, contrasting with the fate of Jeroboam's other descendants who would not receive such honor.

The event underscores the importance of burial customs in ancient Israel, where proper burial was a sign of respect and honor. It also reflects the communal nature of mourning, where the entire nation participated in lamenting the loss of the child. This collective mourning and the subsequent burial illustrate the deep connection between the people and their leaders, even in times of divine judgment.

In summary, the burial of Jeroboam's child, attended by relatives and friends, is a significant biblical event that reveals the interplay of divine justice and mercy. It serves as a reminder of the LORD's discernment and the value placed on righteousness, even in the midst of widespread apostasy.

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1 Kings 14:13
And all Israel shall mourn for him, and bury him: for he only of Jeroboam shall come to the grave, because in him there is found some good thing toward the LORD God of Israel in the house of Jeroboam.
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