 |
| Holy Prophet Achia (Feast Day - November 12) |
Verses
Jeroboam bore testimony, the son of Nebat,
Of the Prophet Ahijah, before he died.
Ahijah (Achia) the Shilonite was a Levite prophet from Shiloh in the days of Solomon and Jeroboam, as mentioned in the Old Testament book of 1 Kings. Ahijah encouraged a revolt against Solomon "because his heart was turned from the Lord God of Israel" and foretold to Jeroboam that he would become king (I Kings 11:29).
Holy Scripture records two of his prophecies: 1 Kings 11:31-39, announcing through the rending of his garment the rending of ten tribes from Solomon which were to be given to Jeroboam as the Northern Kingdom, and 1 Kings 14:6-16, delivered to Jeroboam's wife, foretelling the death of the Jeroboam's son, the destruction of Jeroboam's house, and the captivity of Israel "beyond the river."
According to 2 Chronicles, Ahijah also authored a book, described as the Prophecy of Ahijah the Shilonite which contained information about Solomon's reign. This text, however, has not survived and is one of the lost texts mentioned in the Old Testament.
Jeroboam bears testimony to the high esteem in which Ahijah was held as a prophet of God (1 Kings 14:2,3). Ahijah reposed in peace in deep old age in Shiloh.