1 Kings 13:1-6,1 Kings 13:6-12

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 13:1

And, behold, there came a man of God out of Judah ,.... Whom Josephus F24 Ut supra. (Antiqu. l. 8. c. 8. sect. 3.) calls Jadon, perhaps the same with Iddo, who is by the Jewish writers F25 Seder Olam Rabba, c. 20. Shalshalet Hakabala, fol. 11. 1. Jarch & Kimchi in loc. generally thought to be this man of God, and which may seem to be countenanced by 2 Chronicles 9:29 but cannot be, because this man was quickly slain, whereas Iddo lived after Rehoboam, and wrote his acts,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 13:2

And he cried against the altar in the word of the Lord ,.... By his order and command: and said, O altar, altar ; addressing himself not to Jeroboam, but the altar, thereby reproving his stupidity, the altar being as ready to hear as he; and because that was what moved the indignation of the Lord; and the word is repeated, to show the vehemency of the prophet's spirit, and his zeal against it; though the Jews commonly say it respects both altars, that at Dan, as well as this at Bethel: ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 13:3

And he gave a sign the same day, saying, this is the sign which the Lord hath spoken ,.... As a confirmation of the truth of what the prophet had said, and for the proof of his being a true prophet of the Lord: behold, the altar shall be rent ; of itself, by an invisible hand, by the power of God: and the ashes that are upon it shall be poured out ; signifying it should be entirely demolished, not only shaken but destroyed, so as not to be capable of retaining the ashes on it; this... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 13:4

And it came to pass, when King Jeroboam heard the saying of the man of God, who had cried against the altar in Bethel ,.... He was highly provoked: so that he put forth his hand from the altar; on which he was burning incense: saying, lay hold on him ; he put forth his hand, and either shook it at the prophet, threatening what he would do to him; or as beckoning to the people to seize him, and which he also expressed: and his hand, which he put forth against him, dried up, so that he... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 13:5

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 13:6

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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 13:1

There came a man of God - Who this was we know not. The Chaldee, Syriac, and Arabic call him a prophet. The Vulgate and Septuagint follow the Hebrew, אלהים איש ish elohim means a Divine person, one wholly devoted to God's service. Some have thought it was Shemaiah, others Joel, and others Iddo. It could not have been the latter, for he wrote the acts of Jeroboam, 2 Chronicles 9:29 , and the prophet was killed before he returned home; but conjecture is idle on such a subject. ... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 13:2

He cried against the altar - He denounced the destruction of this idolatrous system. A child shall be born - Josiah by name - This is one of the most remarkable and most singular prophecies in the Old Testament. It here most circumstantially foretells a fact which took place three hundred and forty years after the prediction; a fact which was attested by the two nations. The Jews, in whose behalf this prophecy was delivered, would guard it most sacredly; and it was... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 13:3

And he gave a sign - A miracle to prove that the prophecy should be fulfilled in its season. read more

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