XIII. In this history, as in that of Elijah and Elisha, the compiler clearly draws from prophetic traditions or records. Here, accordingly, as there, the character of the narrative changes, and becomes full of graphic vividness and spiritual significance. In 2 Chronicles 9:29 we read of “the vision... [ Continue Reading ]
A MAN OF GOD OUT OF JUDAH. — Josephus calls him Jadon (Iddo); but from 2 Chronicles 13:22 it appears that Iddo was the chronicler of the reign of Abijah, and must, therefore, have lived till near the close of Jeroboam’s reign. Probably the tradition came from a mistaken interpretation of the “vision... [ Continue Reading ]
THUS SAITH THE LORD. — This is one of those rather unfrequent prophecies found in Holy Scripture, which, not content to foreshadow the future in general outline, descend to striking particularity of detail. It has been indeed suggested that the words. “Josiah by name” are a marginal gloss which has... [ Continue Reading ]
THE SIGN. — Both the signs, like most miraculous signs, shadow forth plainly the thing signified. The sign, announced to secure credence to the prediction, is itself a visible type of what that prediction foretold, in the shattering of the altar and the scattering of the ashes of the burnt-offering.... [ Continue Reading ]
COME HOME WITH ME... — The invitation may have been in part the mark of some impression made on the king, and an impulse of gratitude for the restoration of his withered hand. Such was the request of Naaman to Elisha (2 Kings 5:15), though even this was emphatically refused. But it still savours of... [ Continue Reading ]
NOR TURN AGAIN... — The significance of this command is less obvious. It may have meant that he should not suffer the way of his return (which would clearly not be the obvious way) to be known, but should vanish swiftly, like the messenger of Elisha to Jehu (2 Kings 9:3; 2 Kings 9:10), when his work... [ Continue Reading ]
AN OLD PROPHET IN BETHEL. — The narrative clearly implies — and, indeed, part of its most striking instructiveness depends on this — that this old prophet was not a mere pretender to prophetic inspiration, nor an apostate from the worship of Jehovah. Like Balaam, he united true prophetic gifts with... [ Continue Reading ]
AN OAK. — Properly, _the oak_, or _terebinth;_ supposed to be known in that comparatively treeless country, like the oak at Shechem (Genesis 35:4; Genesis 35:8; Joshua 24:26; Judges 9:6), the oak at Ophrah (Judges 6:11), and the palm-tree of Deborah (Judges 4:5). This expression is an evident mark o... [ Continue Reading ]
AN ANGEL SPAKE UNTO ME. — The lie was gross, and ought to have been obvious to one who had received a plain command, and must have known that “God was not a man that He should lie, or the son of man that He should repent.” It was believed, no doubt, because it chimed in with some secret reluctance t... [ Continue Reading ]
THE WORD OF THE LORD CAME. — It is, perhaps, the most terrible feature in the history that the Divine sentence is spoken — no doubt, as in the case of Balaam, unwillingly — through the very lips which by falsehood had lured the prophet of Judah from the right path, and at the very table of treachero... [ Continue Reading ]
A LION. — The lion is noticed in the Old Testament not unfrequently, especially in Southern Palestine: at Timnath (Judges 14:5); near Bethlehem (1 Samuel 17:34); at Kabzeel, in Judah (2 Samuel 23:20); near Aphek (1 Kings 20:36); in the thickets and forests of the Jordan valley (Jeremiah 4:7; Jeremia... [ Continue Reading ]
HE SAID, IT IS THE MAN OF GOD. — The old prophet did not know how his prediction was to be fulfilled, but recognised at once its supernatural fulfilment. There is in his words a characteristic reticence as to his own share in the work, in respect both of the deceit and the prediction of judgment, pe... [ Continue Reading ]
(30-32) THEY MOURNED. — The mourning of the old prophet, and the burial of the body in his own sepulchre, probably show some touch of remorse and personal compassion for the victim of his treacherous policy, mingled with the desire of preserving the tomb, which was to be his own last resting-place,... [ Continue Reading ]
WHOSOEVER WOULD. — See 1 Kings 12:32. The emphatic tone of the words, “whosoever would, he consecrated him,” possibly indicates that, in spite of all that Jeroboam and his prophet could do, there was some difficulty in securing candidates for his unauthorised priesthood.... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THIS THING. — The comment of the author of the book, evidently based on the prophetic denunciation of Ahijah in 1 Kings 14:9, and its subsequent fulfilment. (See 1 Kings 15:25.)... [ Continue Reading ]