1. At that time Abijah, son of Jer o boam, got sick.
2. Jer o boam told his wife, “Go to Shiloh, but disguise yourself so that people will not recognize you as my wife. The prophet Ahijah, who told me I would be king of these people, is there.
3. Take ten loaves of bread, some raisins, and a jar of honey with you, and go to him. He will tell you what will happen to the boy.”
4. Jer o boam’s wife did this. She left, went to Shiloh, and came to the home of Ahijah.Ahijah couldn’t see. His eyesight had failed because he was old.
5. However, the Lord had told Ahijah, “Jer o boam’s wife is coming to ask you about her son who is sick. When she comes, she will pretend to be someone else.” He also told Ahijah what to say to her.
6. Ahijah heard her footsteps when she came into the room. He said, “Come in. You’re Jer o boam’s wife. Why are you pretending to be someone else? I’ve been told to give you some terrible news.
7. Tell Jer o boam, ‘This is what the Lord God of Israel says: I picked you out of the people and made you a leader over my people Israel.
8. I tore the kingdom away from David’s heirs and gave it to you. But you have not been like my servant David. He obeyed my commands and faithfully followed me by doing only what I considered right.
9. You have done more evil things than everyone before you. You made other gods, metal idols, for yourself. You made me furious and turned your back to me.
10. “‘That is why I will bring disaster on Jer o boam’s house. I will destroy every male in his house, whether slave or freeman in Israel. I will burn down Jer o boam’s house. It will burn like manure until it is gone.
11. If anyone from Jer o boam’s house dies in the city, dogs will eat him. If anyone dies in the country, birds will eat him.’ The Lord has said this!
12. “Get up, and go home. The moment you set foot in the city the child will die.
13. All Israel will mourn for him and bury him. He is the only one of Jer o boam’s family who will be ⌊properly⌋ buried. He was the only one in Jer o boam’s house in whom the Lord God of Israel found anything good.