Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible
1 Kings 13:33,34
A Summary Emphasising Jeroboam's Failure To Repent And Its Consequences (1 Kings 13:33).
Having told the full story of Jeroboam's failure to obey YHWH, and the prophetic witness that had cast condemnation on it in no uncertain way, Jeroboam's behaviour is now summed up. In spite of all that had happened, and all that YHWH had done to convince him otherwise, he continued to make common people into priests of the high places, doing it simply on the basis of their willingness to act. He was hardened and unrepentant.
The fact that he appointed them ‘on the basis of their willingness to act' may suggest that it was not seen as a popular job, which may further suggest a certain level of resentment at Jeroboam's ‘reforms', and an uneasiness with what he had done. They were prepared to enjoy it, but they did not want to be directly involved in it. They still recognised that YHWH had of old set apart the house of Aaron to be priests.
But what Jeroboam had done was so heinous that it resulted in his house continually failing to live up to the covenant that YHWH had made with him (failing to walk in His ways and obey His commandments), with the result that YHWH purposed to cut it off and destroy it from off the face of the earth.
Analysis.
After this thing Jeroboam returned not from his evil way (1 Kings 13:33 a).
But made again from among all the people, priests of the high places. Whoever would, he consecrated him, that there might be priests of the high places (1 Kings 13:33 b).
And this thing became sin (a failure to hit the mark, to live up to the covenant) to the house of Jeroboam, even to cut it off, and to destroy it from off the face of the earth (1 Kings 13:34).
‘ After this thing Jeroboam returned not from his evil way, but made again from among all the people priests of the high places, whoever would, he consecrated him, that there might be priests of the high places.'
YHWH's initial purpose in sending the man of God had been to lead Jeroboam to repentance. But his heart was so hardened that he did not return from his evil ways. He refused to repent. And he demonstrated this by continuing to appoint as priests of the high places anyone who was willing. On their expressing willingness he consecrated them as priest of the high places, in order that there might be sufficient priests.
‘ And this thing became sin (a failure to hit the mark, to live up to the covenant) to the house of Jeroboam, even to cut it off, and to destroy it from off the face of the earth.'
What he had introduced and carried through became a ‘sin, a missing of the mark' to the house of Jeroboam. He had not only gone astray, but had led his family astray as well. And this would finally result in his house being ‘cut off' and destroyed from the face of the earth (see 1 Kings 15:29). This was in total contrast to the permanent dynasty that YHWH had promised to him if he would walk in His ways (1 Kings 11:38).
It will be noted in all this that, apart from what can be picked up in passing, all we have learned about the secular history of Jeroboam is that he fortified Shechem and Penuel (1 Kings 12:25). The remainder of the narrative has been concerned with Jeroboam's rejection of YHWH by means of his religious innovations, and the response of YHWH as He replied to him through the activities of His prophets.
The other thing about his secular history that we will learn is that there was continual on and off warfare with Judah for the whole of his reign and beyond (1 Kings 14:30), something which could only weaken both countries. It was not a happy state of affairs. They were back to the worst days of Israel/Judah described in 2 Samuel 3:1, except that Judah was not getting stronger and stronger either. They were both getting weaker, and thus vulnerable to enemies round about, and all because their two kings had refused to walk in YHWH's ways and obey Him, and the people had done nothing about it.
Apart from these two verses if we want any further information about Jeroboam's long reign we must consult ‘the book of the words of the days of the kings of Israel' (1 Kings 14:19). But unfortunately for historians we do not have it.