1 Kings 13:4

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 13:4

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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 13:4

Lay hold on him - No doubt, stretching out his own hand at the same time, through rage, pride, and haste, to execute his own orders. And his hand dried up - The whole arm became suddenly rigid; the nerves no longer communicated their influence, and the muscles ceased to obey the dictates of the will. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 13:1-10

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 13:2-8

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 13:4

And it came to pass when king Jeroboam [The A.V. follows the LXX . The Heb. omits "Jeroboam"] heard the saying of the man of God, which had cried against the altar in Bethel, that he put forth his hand [instinctively. His first thought was, not to wait and see whether the promised sign was given, but to seize and punish the man who had dared thus to denounce and thwart him. And we may imagine how extremely mortifying this interruption must have been to him. It threatened the complete... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 13:4-6

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

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Kings 13:4-5

1 Kings 13:4-5. He put forth his hand To point out the man on whom he would have the people to lay hands. From the altar Where he stood, and where his hand was employed in offering something upon it. And his hand dried up Or withered, the muscles and sinews, the instruments of motion, shrinking up or becoming relaxed. This God did, not only to give another token, besides those which the man of God had mentioned, that his words would be fulfilled; but also to chastise Jeroboam for... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 13:1-34

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

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 1 Kings 13:4

put forth his hand. One of the eleven rulers who thus assaulted Jehovah's witnesses. See note on Exodus 10:28 . read more

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