At that time — Presently after the things described in the former chapter; which, though related in the beginning of his reign, yet might be done a good while after it, and so Ahijah the prophet might be very old, as he is described to be 1 Kings 14:4. It is probable he was his eldest son.... [ Continue Reading ]
His wife — Because she might without suspicion enquire concerning her own child; and because she would enquire exactly, and diligently, and faithfully acquaint him with the truth. Disguise — Change thy habit, and voice, and go like a private and obscure person. This caution proceeded: first, from th... [ Continue Reading ]
And take — A present, after the manner, but mean, as became an ordinary country woman, which she personated. It had been more pious to enquire, why God contended with him.... [ Continue Reading ]
Thou wife — By which discovery he both reproves their folly, who thought to conceal themselves from God, and withal gives her assurance of the truth, and certainty of that message which he was to deliver.... [ Continue Reading ]
David — Who though he fell into some sins, yet, first, he constantly persevered in the true worship of God; from which thou art revolted. Secondly, he heartily repented of, and turned from all his sins whereas thou art obstinate and incorrigible.... [ Continue Reading ]
Above all — Above all the former kings of my people, as Saul, and Solomon, and Rehoboam. Images — Namely the golden calves: not as if they thought them to be other gods in a proper sense; for it is apparent they still pretended to worship the God of their fathers, but because God rejected their whol... [ Continue Reading ]
Shut up — Those who had escaped the fury of their enemies invading them, either because they were shut up in caves, or castles, or strong towns, or, because they were left, over — looked or neglected by them, or spared as poor, impotent, helpless creatures. But now, saith he, they shall be all searc... [ Continue Reading ]
Eat — So both sorts shall die unburied.... [ Continue Reading ]
When, &c. — Presently upon thy entrance into the city; when thou art gone but a little way in it, even as far as to the threshold of the king's door, 1 Kings 14:17, which possibly was near the gates of the city. And by this judge of the truth of the rest of my prophecy.... [ Continue Reading ]
Shall mourn — For the loss of so worthy and hopeful a person, and for the sad calamities which will follow his death, which possibly his moderation, and wisdom, and virtue, might have prevented. So they should mourn, not simply for him, but for their own loss in him. Grave — Shall have the honour of... [ Continue Reading ]
A king — Baasha, 1 Kings 15:28. That day — When he is so raised; in the very beginning of his reign, 1 Kings 15:29. But what? — But what do I say, he shall raise, as it were a thing to be done at a great distance of time: the man is now in being if not in power, who shall do this: this judgment shal... [ Continue Reading ]
Is shaken — Hither and thither, with every wind. So shall the kingdom and people of Israel be always in an unquiet and unsettled posture, tossed to and fro by foreign invasions and civil wars; by opposite kings and factions, and by the dissensions of the people. The river — Euphrates, so called by w... [ Continue Reading ]
Who made, &c. — By his invention, and making the occasion of their sin, the calves; by his example, encouraging those and only those that worshipped the calves; and by his authority requiring and compelling them to do it. This is mentioned as a monstrous aggravation of his wickedness, that he was no... [ Continue Reading ]
Tirzah — An ancient and royal city, in a pleasant place, where the kings of Israel had a palace, whither Jeroboam was now removed from Shechem, either for his pleasure, or for his son's recovery, by the healthfulness of the place. The threshold — Of the king's house, which probably was upon, or by t... [ Continue Reading ]
Mourned — And justly: not only for the loss of an hopeful prince, but because his death plucked up the floodgates, at which an inundation of judgments broke in.... [ Continue Reading ]
The chronicles — not that canonical book of chronicles; for that was written long after this book: but a book of civil records, the annals, wherein all remarkable passages were recorded by the king's command from day to day; out of which the sacred penman by the direction of God's spirit, took those... [ Continue Reading ]
Forty one years — Therefore he was born a year before Solomon was king, as appears from 1 Kings 11:42, this is noted as an aggravation of Rehoboam's folly, that he was old enough to have been wiser. An Ammonitess — A people cursed by God, and shut out of the congregation of his people for ever. This... [ Continue Reading ]
In the sight of the Lord — In contempt and defiance of him, and the tokens of his special presence. Jealousy — As the adulterous wife provokes her husband, by breaking the marriage covenant.... [ Continue Reading ]
They also — Followed the example of the Israelites, although they were better instructed, and had the temple in their kingdom, and liberty of access to it, and the privilege of worshipping God in his own way, and the counsels, and sermons, and examples of the priests and Levites, and the dreadful ex... [ Continue Reading ]
Abomination — They dishonoured God by one sin, and then God left them to dishonour themselves by another.... [ Continue Reading ]
Fifth year — Presently after his and his people's apostacy, which was not 'till his fourth year: while apostate, Israel enjoyed peace and some kind of prosperity, of which difference, two reasons may be given: first, Judah's sins were committed against clearer light, and more powerful means and reme... [ Continue Reading ]
He took — First the city: which may seem strange, considering the great strength of it, and how much time it took Nebuchadnezzar and Titus to take it. But, first, it might cost Shishak also a long siege though that be not here related. Secondly, it is probable David and Solomon in their building and... [ Continue Reading ]
Brazen shields — This was an emblem of the diminution of his glory. Sin makes the gold become dim, it changes the most fine gold and turns it into brass.... [ Continue Reading ]
To the house, &c. — By which it seems the affliction had done him some good, and brought him back to the worship of God, which he had forsaken.... [ Continue Reading ]
Was war — Not an invasive war with potent armies, which was forbidden, 1 Kings 12:24, and not revived 'till Abijam's reign, 2 Chronicles 13:1, but a defensive war from those hostilities which by small parties and skirmishes they did to one another.... [ Continue Reading ]
An Ammonitess — This is repeated as a thing very observable.... [ Continue Reading ]