The altar also was rent ,.... Split into two parts perhaps, and one fell one way, and the other another; and the ashes poured out from the altar ; the ashes of the burnt offering, these were spilled on the ground; all which was done without any outward force, or any visible means thereof: according to the sign which the man of God had given by the word of the Lord ; by his direction and order. read more
And the king answered and said unto the man of God ,.... In another tone than when he bid the people lay hold on him; not in a haughty, but humble manner; not as threatening, but supplicating: entreat now the face of the Lord thy God ; he does not say "my God", for he had apostatized from him, and served other gods, but "thy" God, whose prophet he was, and who had an interest in him, as clearly appeared by what he had said and done by him; and pray for me, that my hand may be restored... read more
The altar was also rent - It split or clave of its own accord; and, as the split parts would decline at the top from the line of their perpendicular, so the ashes and coals would fall off, or be poured out. read more
Entreat - the face of the Lord thy God - The face of God is his favor, as we see in many parts of the sacred writings. He says, thy God; for Jeroboam knew that he was not his God, for he was now in the very act of acknowledging other gods, and had no portion in the God of Jacob. And the king ' s hand was restored - Both miracles were wrought to show the truth of the Jewish religion, and to convince this bold innovator of his wickedness, and to reclaim him from... read more
I. THE PRETENSIONS OF ERROR DEEPEN ITS SHAME . The idolatrous altar was being solemnly consecrated. The people's eyes were dazzled with the splendour of the priestly and regal display. Jeroboam himself stood by the altar to offer incense. And then the cry arose which arrested every ear and thrilled through every soul. 1 . The attempt to give importance to the new idolatry only broadened the mark for God's rebuke : it simply lent emphasis to His condemnation. They had come... read more
Protest and Excommunication. The sin of Jeroboam, the schism which he inaugurated in person at the first feast of tabernacles held in Bethel, was not consummated without protest. When the king, possibly in the "golden garments" of the priesthood, mounted the altar platform and stood before the vast multitude assembled to witness this first great function of the new regime, a messenger of God, sent from Judah, the seat of the true religion, lifted up his voice and witnessed against these... read more
The Man of Sin. When the man of God predicted the confusion of the political religion of Jeroboam, and gave the sign that the altar at Bethel should be rent and its ashes poured out, the pride of the king who stood there as a priest was mortified, and his resentment was manifested as described in the text. I. JEROBOAM WAS A TYPICAL SINNER . 1 . He transgressed God's law — 2 . He did so impudently . II. HIS DOOM ALSO WAS TYPICAL . 1 . He was... read more
The altar also was rent [by the same invisible power, and probably at the same moment], and the ashes poured out from the altar, according to the sign which the man of God had given by the word of the Lord. read more
And the king [humbled and alarmed by the judgment he had experienced in his own person] answered and said unto the man of God, Intreat now [The Heb. is very expressive—" Smooth or stroke the face ." It is an expression which occurs several times. See especially Exodus 32:11 ; 2 Kings 13:4 ; 2 Chronicles 33:12 ; Proverbs 19:6 ] of the Lord thy God [ i.e; whose messenger thou art. "Jeroboam, conscience stricken, does not dare to call Jehovah his own God" (Wordsworth). This... read more
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Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Kings 13:1-10
Here is, I. A messenger sent to Jeroboam, to signify to him God's displeasure against his idolatry, 1 Kgs. 13:1. The army of Judah that aimed to ruin him was countermanded, and might not draw a sword against him (1 Kgs. 12:24); but a prophet of Judah is, instead thereof, sent to reclaim him from his evil way, and is sent in time, while he is but dedicating his altar, before his heart is hardened by the deceitfulness of his sin; for God delights not in the death of sinners, but would rather... read more