Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 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:
29. at that time ] i.e. While the building-works at the Millo and the completion of the wall was in progress.
Ahijah the Shilonite ] This prophet, whose home was in Shiloh (see 1Ki 14:2), is mentioned in connexion with this prophecy to Jeroboam and again when Jeroboam has become king, and sends his wife to inquire of the prophet about the issue of his child’s sickness. A writing of his is spoken of in 2Ch 9:29 as ‘the prophecy of Ahijah the Shilonite’. This may have contained other prophecies beside those which have been preserved to us. He was evidently a person of much importance and influence during this and the following reign.
found him in the way ] Here the LXX. adds ‘and he drew him aside out of the way’: an addition which may have been made to explain how it came to pass, as is said immediately, that ‘they two were alone in the field.’
and he had clad himself ] i.e. Ahijah had done so. The R.V. following the LXX. inserts the proper name in italics to make the sense clearer in the English.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
At that time – Probably after Jeroboams return from Egypt (see 1Ki 11:40).
The Shilonite – An inhabitant of Shiloh in Mount Ephraim, the earliest and most sacred of the Hebrew sanctuaries (Jos 18:10; Jdg 18:31; 1Sa 4:3, etc.)
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 29. When Jeroboam went out of Jerusalem] On what errand he was going out of Jerusalem, we know not.
Ahijah the Shilonite] He was one of those who wrote the history of the reign of Solomon, as we find from 2Ch 9:29, and it is supposed that it was by him God spake twice to Solomon; and particularly delivered the message which we find in this chapter, 1Kg 11:11-13.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
When Jeroboam went out of Jerusalem; upon some occasion, possibly to execute his charge.
They two were alone in the field; having gone aside thither for some private conference; for otherwise it is most likely that he had servants attending upon him, who, though they heard not the words, yet might see the action, and the rending of Jeroboams coat; and thus it came to Solomons ears, who being so acute and wise, could easily understand the thing by what he heard of the action, especially when a prophet did it.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
29. cladrather, “wrappedup.” The meaning is, “Ahijah, the Shilonite, the prophet,went and took a fit station in the way; and, in order that hemight not be known, he wrapped himself up, so as closely toconceal himself, in a new garment, a surtout, which heafterwards tore in twelve pieces.” Notwithstanding this privacy,the story, and the prediction connected with it [1Ki11:30-39], probably reached the king’s ears; and Jeroboam becamea marked man [1Ki 11:40]. Hisaspiring ambition, impatient for the death of Solomon, led him toform plots and conspiracies, in consequence of which he was compelledto flee to Egypt. Though chosen of God, he would not wait the courseof God’s providence, and therefore incurred the penalty of death byhis criminal rebellion. The heavy exactions and compulsory labor (1Ki11:28) which Solomon latterly imposed upon his subjects, when hisforeign resources began to fail, had prepared the greater part of thekingdom for a revolt under so popular a demagogue as Jeroboam.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And it came to pass at that time, when Jeroboam went out of Jerusalem,…. Either to enter upon his new office: or having been with Solomon to pay in the revenues, and to make up his accounts with him was going back to the country to do the duty of his office:
that the prophet Ahijah the Shilonite found him in the way; not accidentally, but purposely was in the way to meet him, and converse with him; this prophet was of the city of Shiloh, and where was now his abode, see 1Ki 14:2
and he had clad himself with a new garment; not Jeroboam, but the prophet, and that by the direction of the Lord, for the following purpose:
and they two were alone in the field: it is possible Jeroboam might have some servants with him; but Ahijah desiring some private conversation with him, he sent them onwards, or bid them stay at some distance; who yet might be capable of observing what was done, though not of hearing what was said; or otherwise how should Solomon come to the knowledge of it? 1Ki 11:40.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
29. At that time While he had charge of the Ephraimite labourers at Jerusalem.
The prophet Ahijah Here we meet with another representative of that interesting order of men, divine messengers, who appear so often and so prominently during the time of the Hebrew monarchy. Ahijah seems to have been to Jeroboam very much what Samuel was to Saul, and Nathan was to David. He too, probably, announced to Solomon the word of the Lord as recorded in 1Ki 11:11-13. His two genuine and authentic prophecies, each of great importance to the kingdom of Israel, are recorded here, 1Ki 11:29-39, and 1Ki 14:6-16.
The Shilonite So called because he dwelt at Shiloh. 1Ki 14:2 ; 1Ki 14:4. It is, perhaps, significant that this prophet dwelt at Shiloh, the ancient seat, and up to the time of Samuel the centre, of the national worship. Thence the ark had been taken to its capture, “and the Philistines destroyed Shiloh with such hideous barbarity, that centuries afterwards the heart of the people shuddered at the very mention of the name. They never restored the place. Even Jeroboam, though of the tribe of Ephraim, never ventured to use, as a rival to Jerusalem, a site consecrated by so many centuries of worship.” SMITH, Prophecy a Preparation for Christ. Ahijah’s oracles seem like a voice from that olden sacred past the voice of the God of Joshua and of Eli still proclaiming blessings on the obedient, and penal woes on them that forget his name.
He clad himself That is, Ahijah, not Jeroboam, had clad himself.
A new garment Probably a mantle thrown over the shoulder, similar to that which Samuel used to wear, and which was once used in a like symbolical action, 1Sa 15:27. Some interpreters see in the newness of the garment a symbol of the Hebrew monarchy, as yet young and undivided. “Here,” observes Rawlinson, “we find the first instance of that mode of delivering a divine message which became so common in later times, and which has been called ‘acted parable.’”
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
1Ki 11:29. The prophet Ahijah Ahijah was a native of Shiloh, and one of those who wrote the annals of king Solomon’s reign, 2Ch 9:29 and he is thought to have been the person who spake twice to Solomon from God; once while he was building the temple, chap. 1Ki 6:12 and again when he fell into his irregularities, 1Ki 11:11. His prediction to Solomon, that he would one day be perverted by women; and to Jeroboam, that heifers (meaning the two golden calves) would alienate him from the service of God, are both taken notice of by Epiphanius de Vita et Morte Prophet. See Calmet.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
(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: (30) And Ahijah caught the new garment that was on him, and rent it in twelve pieces: (31) And he said to Jeroboam, Take thee ten pieces: for thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel, Behold, I will rend the kingdom out of the hand of Solomon, and will give ten tribes to thee: (32) (But he shall have one tribe for my servant David’s sake, and for Jerusalem’s sake, the city which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel:) (33) Because that they have forsaken me, and have worshipped Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, Chemosh the god of the Moabites, and Milcom the god of the children of Ammon, and have not walked in my ways, to do that which is right in mine eyes, and to keep my statutes and my judgments, as did David his father. (34) Howbeit I will not take the whole kingdom out of his hand: but I will make him prince all the days of his life for David my servant’s sake, whom I chose, because he kept my commandments and my statutes: (35) But I will take the kingdom out of his son’s hand, and will give it unto thee, even ten tribes. (36) And unto his son will I give one tribe, that David my servant may have a light alway before me in Jerusalem, the city which I have chosen me to put my name there. (37) And I will take thee, and thou shalt reign according to all that thy soul desireth, and shalt be king over Israel. (38) And it shall be, if thou wilt hearken unto all that I command thee, and wilt walk in my ways, and do that is right in my sight, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as David my servant did; that I will be with thee, and build thee a sure house, as I built for David, and will give Israel unto thee. (39) And I will for this afflict the seed of David, but not forever.
The sweetest and most precious part, and to be regarded with peculiar emphasis on our minds in the reading of those verses is, the cause assigned why only ten tribes, and not the whole of Israel, should be in the hands of Jeroboam; namely, because in the seed and lineage of David Christ was to come. Hence David’s stock must not be lost; that lamp must not be put out, but preserved for God’s anointed. Sweet consideration! and Reader! do not overlook at the same time the precious interest all the spiritual seed of our Jesus have in it. In Jesus all his people, all his seed, are equally preserved. So Jehovah hath said, and so his people ought most firmly to keep in remembrance upon all occasions. See that blessed scripture to this effect; Isa 59:21 . Reader! mark it down. The blessing is still in it. “Destroy it not, ” one saith; for Jesus’s sake, Jehovah’s servant, it shall be preserved. Isa 65:8 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
1Ki 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:
Ver. 29. When Jeroboam went out of Jerusalem, ] sc, To take this prefectureship or principality upon him, which was not the cause, but some occasion of his rebellion.
And he had clad himself with a new garment.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Ahijah. He afterwards rebuked Jeroboam (1Ki 14:6-16).
Shilonite = a native of Shiloh, where the Tabernacle and Ark bad been placed (Jos 18:1). Compare 1Sa 4:3.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Ahijah: 1Ki 12:15, 1Ki 14:2, 2Ch 9:29
Shilonite: Jos 18:1
and they two: Gen 4:8, 2Sa 14:6
Reciprocal: 1Ki 12:24 – for this thing 1Ki 14:4 – Shiloh 1Ki 18:7 – was in the way 2Ch 10:15 – that the Lord 2Ch 11:4 – for this thing Neh 5:13 – So God Jer 43:9 – great Act 21:11 – he took
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
1Ki 11:29. When Jeroboam went out of Jerusalem Probably to execute his charge. The Prophet Ahijah found him Met with him as he was going along. Ahijah was a native of Shiloh, and one of those who wrote the annals of King Solomons reign, 2Ch 9:29. And he is thought to have been the person who spake twice to Solomon from God, once while he was building the temple, (1Ki 6:12,) and again when he fell into his irregularities, 1Ki 11:11. They two were alone in the field Having gone aside for private conference; for otherwise Jeroboams servants, (it being most likely he had servants attending him,) if they heard not the words, might have seen the action of rending his coat, and thus the matter might have come to Solomons ears.