Ahijah’s action in tearing his new garment into twelve pieces may seem strange to us. Nevertheless, in ancient Israel it was recognized as a symbolic action. Most often, it represented sorrow and lamentation. It could also symbolize deep humility and the acknowledgment of the guilt of heinous sin, or even great distress at impending disaster.
In this case, however, none of these things apply. It is, rather, a symbolic action picturing what the Lord was intending to do regarding Israel. We might call it a visual metaphor. Its meaning, however, must be explained to Jeroboam.
30 Then Ahijah laid hold of the new garment that was on him, and tore it into twelve pieces.