Rather, “in the word of the Lord.” The meaning seems to be, not merely that the prophet was bid to come, but that he came in the strength and power of God’s word, a divinely inspired messenger. (Compare 1 Kings 13:2, 1 Kings 13:5,1 Kings 13:32.) BY THE ALTAR - “On the altar;” i, e. on the ledge, or... [ Continue Reading ]
A CHILD SHALL BE BORN ... JOSIAH BY NAME - Divine predictions so seldom descend to such particularity as this, that doubts are entertained, even by orthodox theologians, with respect to the actual mention of Josiah’s name by a prophet living in the time of Jeroboam. Only one other instance that can... [ Continue Reading ]
HE GAVE A SIGN - A sign of this kind - an immediate prophecy to prove the divine character of a remote prophecy - had scarcely been given before this. In the later history, however, such signs are not unfrequent (compare 2 Kings 19:29; Isaiah 7:14). THE ASHES ... SHALL BE POURED OUT - i. e., “The h... [ Continue Reading ]
We need not suppose a complete shattering of the altar, but rather the appearance of a crack or fissure in the fabric, which, extending from top to bottom, caused the embers and the fragments of the victims to fall until they reached the ground.... [ Continue Reading ]
I WILL GIVE THEE A REWARD - It was customary to honor a prophet with a gift, if he performed any service that was requested at his hands (see the marginal references).... [ Continue Reading ]
EAT NO BREAD, NOR DRINK WATER - The reason of the command is evident. The man of God was not to accept the hospitality of any dweller at Bethel, in order to show in a marked way, which men generally could appreciate, God’s abhorrence of the system which Jeroboam had “devised of his own heart.” NOR... [ Continue Reading ]
The truly pious Israelites quitted their homes when Jeroboam made his religious changes, and, proceeding to Jerusalem, strengthened the kingdom of Rehoboam 2 Chronicles 10:16. This “old prophet” therefore, who, without being infirm in any way, had remained under Jeroboam, and was even content to dwe... [ Continue Reading ]
UNDER AN OAK - literally, “under the oak,” or “the terebinth-tree.” There was a single well-known tree of the kind, standing by itself in the vicinity of Bethel, which the author supposed his readers to be acquainted with.... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT HE LIED UNTO HIM - It is always to be remembered that the prophetic gift might co-exist with various degrees of moral imperfection in the person possessing it. Note especially the case of Balaam.... [ Continue Reading ]
FORASMUCH AS THOU HAST DISOBEYED THE MOUTH OF THE LORD - It was his duty not to have suffered himself to be persuaded. He should have felt that his obedience was being tried, and should have required, ere he considered himself released, “the same, or as strong, evidence,” as that on which he had rec... [ Continue Reading ]
On the anxiety of the Hebrews to be buried with their fathers, see Genesis 47:30; Genesis 49:29, Genesis 49:1,Gen 49:25; 2 Samuel 19:37, etc.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LION HAD NOT EATEN THE CARCASE, NOR TORN THE ASS - These strange circumstances were of a nature to call men’s attention to the matter, and cause the whole story to be bruited abroad. By these means an incident, which Jeroboam would have wished hushed up, became no doubt the common talk of the wh... [ Continue Reading ]
HE LAID HIS CARCASE IN HIS OWN GRAVE - As Joseph of Arimathaea did the body of our Lord Matthew 27:60. The possession of rock-hewn tombs by families, or individuals, was common among the Jews from their first entrance into the holy land to their final expulsion. A sepulchre usually consisted of an u... [ Continue Reading ]
AGAINST ALL THE HOUSES OF THE HIGH PLACES - i. e., more than the two high places at Dan and Bethel. There were many lesser high places in the land, several of which would be likely to be in Israel 1 Kings 3:4. IN THE CITIES OF SAMARIA - The word Samaria cannot have been employed by the old prophet,... [ Continue Reading ]
WHOSOEVER WOULD, HE CONSECRATED HIM - i. e., he exercised no discretion, but allowed anyone to become a priest, without regard to birth, character, or social position. We may suspect from this that the office was not greatly sought, since no civil governor who cared to set up a priesthood would wish... [ Continue Reading ]
This persistence in wrong, after the warning given him, brought a judgment, not only on Jeroboam himself, but on his family. Jeroboam’s departure from the path of right forfeited the crown 1 Kings 11:38; and in that forfeiture was involved naturally the destruction of his family, for in the East, as... [ Continue Reading ]