AHIJAH

Ahijah the prophet is the most important of several people of that name in the Bible. He features in two incidents. The first was when he told Jeroboam that God would divide Solomon’s kingdom and give ten of the twelve tribes to Jeroboam (1 Kings 11:28-38; see JEROBOAM). The promise was fulfilled with the division of the kingdom in 930 BC (1 Kings 12:15). Jeroboam, however, ignored Ahijah’s command to walk in the ways of God (1 Kings 11:38), and this resulted in the second incident involving Ahijah. Jeroboam wanted Ahijah’s help, but, knowing that Ahijah was angry with him, he sent his wife disguised as someone else (1 Kings 14:1-5). Ahijah was aware of Jeroboam’s trick, and announced that he would not escape God’s judgment. He had rebelled against God, and therefore his dynasty would be destroyed (1 Kings 14:6-16). Again the words of the prophet came true (1 Kings 14:17-18; 15:29)