Bible passage: 1 Kings 11:29-33
Prophet: Ahijah
Written: More than 2,500 years ago
After the 12 Tribes of Israel took control of the land of Canaan, about 3,400 years ago, the Israelites were governed by judges instead of kings. The reign of the judges lasted until about 3,000 years ago when a man named Saul became the first king of Israel. He was succeeded by King David, who in turn was succeeded by King Solomon. These kings ruled over a united kingdom that included all 12 Tribes of Israel.
In 1 Kings 11:29-33, however, a prophet named Ahijah prophesied that the united kingdom of Israel would break into two. Ahijah lived about 2,900 years ago, when Solomon, the son of David, ruled over the land of Israel.
Solomon, during his reign, had turned away from God, as did many other people. Ahijah prophesied that because of this unfaithfulness, the united kingdom would break up.
After Solomon died, his son, Rehoboam, became king, and the northern part of the land of Israel broke away and formed a new kingdom. That kingdom retained the name of Israel and consisted of 10 of the 12 Tribes of Israel. Jeroboam served as their king.
The southern part of the land of Israel, which included the city of Jerusalem and the Temple, became known as the kingdom of Judah. This kingdom was dominated by Israelites from the tribe of Judah, although there also were Israelites from other tribes living there.
Later in Ahijah's ministry as a prophet, in 1 Kings 14:1-18, he foresees the end of Jeroboam's bloodline and the eventual demise of the northern kingdom of Israel.
- Research and commentary is based on the book 100 Fulfilled Bible Prophecies. © Ray Konig and AboutBibleProphecy.com.
Here is 1 Kings 11:29-33 (WEB):
29 At that time, when Jeroboam went out of Jerusalem, the prophet Ahijah the Shilonite found him on the way. Now Ahijah had clad himself with a new garment; and the two of them were alone in the field. 30 Ahijah took the new garment that was on him, and tore it in twelve pieces. 31 He said to Jeroboam, "Take ten pieces; for Yahweh, the God of Israel, says, 'Behold, I will tear the kingdom out of the hand of Solomon, and will give ten tribes to you 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 they have forsaken me, and have worshiped Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, Chemosh the god of Moab, and Milcom the god of the children of Ammon. They have not walked in my ways, to do that which is right in my eyes, and to keep my statutes and my ordinances, as David his father did.