John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 1. At that time Abijah, the son of Jeroboam, fell sick .] Being smitten of God with some disease, as a punishment of Jeroboam’s sin; how long this was after the above things were done cannot be said.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-6 - "At that time," when Jeroboam did evil, his child sickened. When sickness comes into our families, we should inquire whether there ma not be some particular sin harboured in our houses, which the affliction is sent to convince us of, and reclaim us from. It had bee more pious if he had desired to know wherefore God contended with him had begged the prophet's prayers, and cast away his idols from him; but most people would rather be told their fortune, than their faults of their duty. He sent to Ahijah, because he had told him he should be king. Those who by sin disqualify themselves for comfort, yet expec that their ministers, because they are good men, should speak peace an comfort to them, greatly wrong themselves and their ministers. He sen his wife in disguise, that the prophet might only answer her questio concerning her son. Thus some people would limit their ministers to smooth things, and care not for having the whole counsel of God declared to them, lest it should prophesy no good concerning them, but evil. But she shall know, at the first word, what she has to trust to Tidings of a portion with hypocrites will be heavy tidings. God wil judge men according to what they are, not by what they seem to be.
Original Hebrew בעת6256 ההיא1931 חלה2470 אביה29 בן1121 ירבעם׃3379
