Definition: Wherefore the king hearkened not unto the people; for the cause was from the LORD, that he might perform his saying, which the LORD spake by Ahijah the Shilonite unto Jeroboam the son of Nebat.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 1 Kings 12:15. It's a really important and somewhat dramatic passage about obedience and God’s will. Here’s what it means in simple terms: The Basic Situation: King Jeroboam was disobeying the people. The king, Jeroboam, was ignoring the advice and requests of the people he ruled. He wasn't listening to what they wanted or needed. God spoke to Ahijah: A prophet named Ahijah told the king that God had spoken to him directly – through a person named “Ahijah” – about something important. What did Ahijah say? The verse says Ahijah revealed that God instructed the king to do what he was told . Specifically, the prophecy said the King must perform his own will (his saying) according to God's command. It’s like a divine instruction for him to act in a certain way. Why is this important? This verse sets up a central conflict in the book of Kings. It highlights that God’s plan isn't always about what we want, but about what He wants to happen. It suggests there was a difference between Jeroboam’s own desires and God’s will for his kingdom. In short: The king ignored the advice of the people and disobeyed God, and that disobedience was a result of a divine instruction given to him. Think of it like this: Imagine you're building a house and ignoring the instructions from your architect about the best layout or materials. That’s kind of what happened here – the king ignored God’s guidance. --- Do you want me to: Explain any part of the verse in more detail? Give you an example of how this situation might have played out in biblical history?