King Jeroboam of Israel still did not turn from his evil ways but continued to choose priests from ordinary families to serve at the altars he had built. He ordained as priest anyone who wanted to be one.

This sin on his part brought about the ruin and total destruction of his dynasty.

And Ahijah went on to say to Jeroboam's wife, "Now go back home. As soon as you enter the town, your son will die.

All the people of Israel will mourn for him and bury him. He will be the only member of Jeroboam's family who will be properly buried, because he is the only one with whom the LORD, the God of Israel, is pleased.

Do not bow down to any idol or worship it, because I am the LORD your God and I tolerate no rivals. I bring punishment on those who hate me and on their descendants down to the third and fourth generation.

Eli's daughter-in-law, the wife of Phinehas, was pregnant, and it was almost time for her baby to be born. When she heard that God's Covenant Box had been captured and that her father-in-law and her husband were dead, she suddenly went into labor and gave birth.

As she was dying, the women helping her said to her, "Be brave! You have a son!" But she paid no attention and did not answer.

But the Philistines caught up with them and killed three of Saul's sons, Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchishua.

Then Nathan went home. The LORD caused the child that Uriah's wife had borne to David to become very sick.