1 Kings 13:19. So he went back with him Too readily hearkening to his words, and not considering that what God himself had expressly commanded, nothing but the express command of the same God could set aside: otherwise the commands of God might be made of none effect by any one who should feign to have a divine commission. read more
Jeroboam’s punishment (13:1-14:20)God soon showed that this new form of religion was totally unacceptable to him. A prophet from Judah came to Bethel and, by bold words and dramatic actions, condemned both the people and the king (13:1-10).However, there was another prophet, a much older man, who lived in Bethel and had apparently not spoken out against Jeroboam’s wrongdoing. The old prophet seems to have been jealous of the prophet from Judah, and decided to tempt him to disobey God’s command.... read more
an angel spake. A solemn warning for all who listen to any revelation outside Scripture which purports to come from God, even though an "old prophet" asserts it. Compare Galatians 1:1 , Galatians 1:8 , Galatians 1:9 . Of all such it may be said "he lied unto him". read more
18. an angel spake unto me by the word of the Lord—This circuitous mode of speaking, instead of simply saying, "the LORD spake to me," was adopted to hide an equivocation, to conceal a double meaning—an inferior sense given to the word "angel"—to offer a seemingly superior authority to persuade the prophet, while really the authority was secretly known to the speaker to be inferior. The "angel," that is, "messenger," was his own sons, who were worshippers, perhaps priests, at Beth-el. As this... read more
The prophecy of judgment on Jeroboam’s religious system 13:1-32God sent a young Judahite prophet to Bethel to announce a prophecy that God would judge Jeroboam for his apostasy. When he arrived, the king was exercising his priestly function at the Bethel altar (1 Kings 13:1)."Though kings could function as priests in certain circumstances (2 Samuel 6:12-15), it was strictly forbidden for them to offer incense for this was limited to the Aaronic priests alone (Numbers 16:39-40; 2 Chronicles... read more
The Disobedient Prophet2. Josiah] for the fulfilment see 2 Kings 23:15-20. Some 300 years separated the prediction from the event, and the mention by name of the king destined to accomplish it is unlike the methods of Hebrew prophecy in general. It is possible that the records upon which the present account is based were less precise, and that Josiah’s name was introduced by the compiler of the book of Kings, who lived after Josiah’s time and was familiar with what he had done. Offer] better,... read more
(18) 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 to obey, and, by obedience, to give up all reward and hospitality. Hence the belief was a self-deceit, and, as such, culpable. It is inexplicable that the condemnation which it drew down should... read more
The Disobedient Prophet 1 Kings 13:26 I. Jeroboam had just successfully completed his idolatrous stroke of policy. He had set up a form of religion which, however much it might offend against God's truth, had at least this merit in his eyes, that it would strike a great blow against the established Church at Jerusalem, and be a serious injury to the State religion whose influence he abhorred and whose prestige more than anything else he dreaded as a dangerous political menace to his separatist... read more
JEROBOAM AND THE MAN OF GOD1 Kings 13:1-34 "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God."- 1 John 4:1WE are told that Jeroboam, whose position probably made him restless and insecure, first built or fortified Shechem, and then went across the Jordan and established another palace and stronghold at Penuel. After this he shifted his residence once more to the beautiful town of Tirzah, where he built for himself the palace which Zimri afterwards burnt over his... read more
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Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Kings 13:18
1 Kings 13:18. But he lied unto him And yet, probably, not with any evil design, but out of curiosity, to know from his own mouth the truth and all the particulars of the message which he had just delivered to Jeroboam; and to express his kindness to him, and relieve his hunger and weariness, whereby, possibly, he thought he should please God. In this, however, he greatly erred, and involved both himself and the prophet from Judah in guilt and wrath. read more