Solomon’s opponents are not only external but internal as well. Jeroboam (11:26–40) is of northern provenance, and his industriousness captures the king’s attention, in such a way that he is rewarded with a key promotion over the northern labor force. But Solomon is not the only one to notice Jeroboam: for no specified reason, Jeroboam receives an oracle, delivered by Ahijah of Shiloh. Ahijah has no introduction and has not appeared previously in the narrative, but his hometown of Shiloh is certainly acquainted with rejected houses and divine judgment (see 1 Sam. 4:12–22; cf. Ps. 78:60; Jer. 7:12, 14). The crux of Ahijah’s oracle is transmitted by means of a wordplay, as he tears Jeroboam’s rob…