Definition: And it was [so], when Ahijah heard the sound of her feet, as she came in at the door, that he said, Come in, thou wife of Jeroboam; why feignest thou thyself [to be] another? for I [am] sent to thee [with] heavy [tidings].
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 1 Kings 14:6. It's a really important and slightly dramatic passage about leadership and responsibility. Here’s the explanation in simpler terms: The Core Situation: King Solomon is speaking to Ahijah, his daughter, who is visiting him. He’s feeling concerned because she’s acting strangely – she’s not being completely truthful with him. What's Happening: “And it was [so], when Ahijah heard the sound of her feet, as she came in at the door…” This is a description of how she’s moving. She’s walking slowly and deliberately, almost like she’s trying to hide something. “…that he said, Come in, thou wife of Jeroboam; why feignest thou thyself [to be] another?” This is the key part. He's asking her directly: "Why are you pretending to be someone else?" He wants to know if she’s being dishonest. “for I [am] sent to thee [with] heavy [tidings.” This means he’s telling her that there’s bad news coming, or a serious problem. Putting it all together: King Solomon is expressing concern and disappointment because he believes Ahijah is being dishonest. He's saying she's trying to deceive him with her behavior. He's essentially saying, "I've been watching you and I’m worried about your honesty." What does this verse mean in a broader sense? This passage speaks to the idea of responsibility within leadership – especially when it comes to kings and leaders. It suggests that a leader must be honest and truthful with their people. It also highlights the importance of integrity and trustworthiness. In short, the verse is about a king worried about someone being dishonest and acting in a way that could harm or disappoint him. Do you want me to explain any part of this verse in more detail? For example: What does "heavy tidings" mean? How does this relate to the earlier stories about kings and their responsibilities?