This verse begins in Hebrew with the common conjunction, which is rendered Then by Revised Standard Version. But this may be unnecessary since a new paragraph begins at this point. The lengthy speech of the prophet Ahijah ends at the close of verse 16. What follows is a description of the reaction of Jeroboam’s wife. New American Bible begins with “So” since it takes the conjunction as a logical connector.

For the use of the verb arose, see the comments at verse 2 and 1 Kgs 2.40.

Came to Tirzah: According to 1 Kgs 12.25, Jeroboam had fortified Shechem as his capital city. Apparently the capital was moved from Shechem to Tirzah, which was about 11 kilometers (7 miles) northeast of Shechem. About fifty years later, King Omri moved the capital from Tirzah to Samaria (1 Kgs 16.23-24). Since Jeroboam’s wife started her trip from Tirzah, it may be more natural to say that she “returned to Tirzah” or “went back….”

And as she came to the threshold of the house, the child died: This sentence has an immediacy not preserved in Revised Standard Version. The force may be expressed in English as “She comes to the threshold of the house, and the child dies.”

The Hebrew word translated threshold refers to the entrance of the house where the sick child was lying. The fact that the child died at this moment is seen as a fulfillment of the words of the prophet in verse 12 even though the wording is not exactly the same.

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Kings, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2008. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .