Melachim Alef 11:29

29 And it came to pass at that time when Yarov‘am went out of Yerushalayim, that HaNavi Achiyah the Shiloni found him on the derech; and he had clothed himself with a salmah chadasha (new garment, cloak); and they two were alone in the sadeh;

Melachim Alef 11:29 Meaning and Commentary

1 Kings 11:29

And it came to pass at that time, when Jeroboam went out of
Jerusalem
Either to enter upon his new office: or having been with Solomon to pay in the revenues, and to make up his accounts with him was going back to the country to do the duty of his office:

that the prophet Ahijah the Shilonite found him in the way;
not accidentally, but purposely was in the way to meet him, and converse with him; this prophet was of the city of Shiloh, and where was now his abode, see ( 1 Kings 14:2 )

and he had clad himself with a new garment;
not Jeroboam, but the prophet, and that by the direction of the Lord, for the following purpose:

and they two were alone in the field:
it is possible Jeroboam might have some servants with him; but Ahijah desiring some private conversation with him, he sent them onwards, or bid them stay at some distance; who yet might be capable of observing what was done, though not of hearing what was said; or otherwise how should Solomon come to the knowledge of it? ( 1 Kings 11:40 ) .

Melachim Alef 11:29 In-Context

27 And this is the account of his lifting up his yad against HaMelech; Sh’lomo built the Millo, and closed up the peretz of Ir Dovid Aviv.

28 And the ish Yarov‘am was a gibbor chayil; and Sh’lomo seeing the na’ar that he was industrious, he put him over all the sevel (load, burden, enforced labor) of Bais Yosef.

29 And it came to pass at that time when Yarov‘am went out of Yerushalayim, that HaNavi Achiyah the Shiloni found him on the derech; and he had clothed himself with a salmah chadasha (new garment, cloak); and they two were alone in the sadeh;

30 And Achiyah took hold of the salmah chadasha that was on him, and tore it into twelve pieces;

31 And he said to Yarov‘am, Take for thee ten pieces; for thus saith Hashem Elohei Yisroel, Hineni, I will tear the mamlachah out of the yad Sh’lomo, and will give to thee asarah hashevatim.