¹⁵ So the king did not listen to the people, for this turn of events was from God,^(A) to fulfill the word the Lord had spoken to Jeroboam son of Nebat through Ahijah the Shilonite.^(B)

²⁵ If one person sins against another, God^[a] may mediate for the offender; but if anyone sins against the Lord, who will^(A) intercede^(B) for them?” His sons, however, did not listen to their father’s rebuke, for it was the Lord’s will to put them to death.

²⁹ About that time Jeroboam was going out of Jerusalem, and Ahijah^(A) the prophet of Shiloh met him on the way, wearing a new cloak. The two of them were alone out in the country, ³⁰ and Ahijah took hold of the new cloak he was wearing and tore^(B) it into twelve pieces. ³¹ Then he said to Jeroboam, “Take ten pieces for yourself, for this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘See, I am going to tear^(C) the kingdom out of Solomon’s hand and give you ten tribes. ³² But for the sake^(D) of my servant David and the city of Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, he will have one tribe. ³³ I will do this because they have^[a] forsaken me and worshiped^(E) Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, Chemosh the god of the Moabites, and Molek the god of the Ammonites, and have not walked^(F) in obedience to me, nor done what is right in my eyes, nor kept my decrees^(G) and laws as David, Solomon’s father, did.

³⁴ “‘But I will not take the whole kingdom out of Solomon’s hand; I have made him ruler all the days of his life for the sake of David my servant, whom I chose and who obeyed my commands and decrees. ³⁵ I will take the kingdom from his son’s hands and give you ten tribes. ³⁶ I will give one tribe^(H) to his son so that David my servant may always have a lamp^(I) before me in Jerusalem, the city where I chose to put my Name. ³⁷ However, as for you, I will take you, and you will rule^(J) over all that your heart desires;^(K) you will be king over Israel. ³⁸ If you do whatever I command you and walk in obedience to me and do what is right^(L) in my eyes by obeying my decrees^(M) and commands, as David my servant did, I will be with you. I will build you a dynasty^(N) as enduring as the one I built for David and will give Israel to you. ³⁹ I will humble David’s descendants because of this, but not forever.’”

¹⁶ While he was still speaking, the king said to him, “Have we appointed you an adviser to the king? Stop! Why be struck down?”

So the prophet stopped but said, “I know that God has determined to destroy you, because you have done this and have not listened to my counsel.”

¹⁷ After Amaziah king of Judah consulted his advisers, he sent this challenge to Jehoash^[a] son of Jehoahaz, the son of Jehu, king of Israel: “Come, let us face each other in battle.”

¹⁸ But Jehoash king of Israel replied to Amaziah king of Judah: “A thistle^(A) in Lebanon sent a message to a cedar in Lebanon, ‘Give your daughter to my son in marriage.’ Then a wild beast in Lebanon came along and trampled the thistle underfoot. ¹⁹ You say to yourself that you have defeated Edom, and now you are arrogant and proud. But stay at home! Why ask for trouble and cause your own downfall and that of Judah also?”

²⁰ Amaziah, however, would not listen, for God so worked that he might deliver them into the hands of Jehoash, because they sought the gods of Edom.^(B)

²⁸ They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen.^(A)

²³ This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge;^(A) and you, with the help of wicked men,^[a] put him to death by nailing him to the cross.^(B)

²⁰ And the Lord said, ‘Who will entice Ahab into attacking Ramoth Gilead and going to his death there?’

“One suggested this, and another that.

²⁴ ‘This is what the Lord says: Do not go up to fight against your brothers, the Israelites. Go home, every one of you, for this is my doing.’” So they obeyed the word of the Lord and went home again, as the Lord had ordered.