1 Kings

1 Kings 14: The LORD sees every sin

Begin in prayer

Before we read about Jeroboam's sick son and the word of the LORD, let us come before the Lord as one family. Ask Him to search our hearts and to show us the Lamb who bore the judgment for sin.

You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence.

Psalm 90:8

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Show us that You see every sin, and help us to trust You and Your Son, Jesus. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

Abijah, the son of Jeroboam, becomes sick, and Jeroboam sends his wife in disguise to ask the prophet Ahijah what will happen. Ahijah is blind with age, but the LORD tells him who is coming. He says the LORD will bring evil on Jeroboam's house, because Jeroboam made other gods and cast the LORD behind his back. When the mother comes home, the child dies, and all Israel mourns him. Judah also does evil, and Shishak king of Egypt takes the treasures of the LORD's house.

As you read 1 Kings 14, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

The LORD sees every sin, and His word of judgment stands.

Jeroboam's son Abijah was sick, and Jeroboam sent his wife in disguise to Ahijah the prophet at Shiloh (verses 1 to 4). Jeroboam hoped to hide who she was, but the LORD told Ahijah who was coming (verses 2 to 5). Ahijah called her Jeroboam's wife as she came in, and said he had heavy news (verse 6). The LORD had exalted Jeroboam, yet he made other gods and cast the LORD behind his back (verses 7 to 9). So the LORD would bring evil on Jeroboam's house and sweep it away (verse 10). The child would die, and all Israel would mourn him, for some good toward the LORD was found in him (verses 12 and 13). The LORD would also uproot Israel from the land, because the people had provoked Him with their Asherah poles (verses 14 to 16). The child died when she came to the threshold, according to the word of the LORD (verses 17 and 18). The LORD who sees every sin also sent His Son, whose precious blood redeems His people (1 Peter 1 verses 18 and 19).

How does 1 Kings 14 show us that the LORD sees every sin, and that His word of judgment stands?

The LORD sees every sin.

Jeroboam sent his wife in disguise, but the LORD knew who was coming (verses 2 to 5). Ahijah called her Jeroboam's wife before she said a word (verse 6). The LORD saw Jeroboam's evil, and He said He would bring evil on his house (verses 9 and 10).

The LORD's word of judgment comes true.

When the mother came to the threshold, the child died, as Ahijah had said (verse 17). The chapter says this was according to the LORD's word, spoken by His servant Ahijah (verse 18). The LORD's judgment on Israel's sin is sure (verses 14 and 16).

Jesus is the Lamb without blemish.

Jeroboam's house was judged for its sin (verses 9 and 10). Peter wrote that Christ's blood was like that of a lamb without blemish or spot (1 Peter 1 verses 18 and 19). The LORD who sees every sin sent His Son to pay for the sin of His people.

Memorise

Come in, Jeroboam’s wife! Why do you pretend to be another?

1 Kings 14:6

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, what sin do I hide, and will I bring it to Jesus?

The LORD saw through the disguise of Jeroboam's wife, and He saw the sin in Jeroboam's heart. Jesus knows what is in every person, and none of us can hide from Him.

Jesus is the Lamb without blemish, and He had no sin to hide. He was struck down for His people on the cross. The Father raised Him, and He lives. The whole debt of their sin was nailed to His cross.

So come to Him, turn from your sin, and put your trust in Jesus. Do not hide your sin behind a disguise. If you confess your sins to Him, He is faithful and righteous to forgive your sins and to cleanse you from all wrongdoing.

Parent's note

Tell your children that the LORD sees every sin, and that Jesus bore the judgment for His people. Parents, this chapter is hard, so explain verses 9 to 16 in your own words. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God that He sees every heart, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

For your great loving kindness reaches to the heavens, and your truth to the skies.

Psalm 57:10

Father, thank You that You see every sin, and that You remember Your people in their need. Thank You for Jesus, the Lamb without blemish, who bore the judgment for His people. Please help each of us to bring our hidden sin to You and trust Him. Keep us close to You this week. Amen.