1 Kings 12:21-33

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 12:31

And he made an house of high places [See on 1 Kings 3:2 , and cf. 2 Kings 17:29 . It is often assumed (Keil, Rawlinson, al. after Josephus) that Jeroboam built two temples for his cherubim, and the statement of the text, that he built one, is explained on the ground that the historian contrasts the "house of high places" with the "house of the Lord." Ewald, too, after 2 Kings 17:29 , 2 Kings 17:32 , understands the words as plural . But is it not more probable that a chapel... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 12:32

And Jeroboam ordained a feast in the eighth month, on the fifteenth day of the month, like unto the feast that is in Judah [ i.e; the Feast of Tabernacles, which was held on the 15th of the seventh month (of. 1 Kings 8:2 ). This was the great feast of the year, and, as the feast of harvest or ingathering, the most joyous. See on 1 Kings 8:1 . Had Jeroboam provided no counter attraction to this great festive gathering in Judah he might have found it a formidable temptation to his... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 12:33

So he offered [Heb. went up, as before. This verse is really the introduction to the history of the next chapter] upon the altar which he had made in Bethel the fifteenth day of the eighth month, even in the month which he had devised [Josephus (Ant. 7.8. 5) seems unaware that this new feast was kept at a different date from the true Feast of Tabernacles. But these words are decisive] of his own heart [The Cethib has מִלְּבֹּד by which Maurer and Keil understand מִלְּבַד (" ... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Kings 12:21

The adhesion of Benjamin to Judah at this time comes upon us as a surprise. By blood Benjamin was far more closely connected with Ephraim than with Judah. All the traditions of Benjamin were antagonistic to Judah, and hitherto the weak tribe had been accustomed to lean constantly on its strong northern neighhour. But it would seem that, in the half-century which had elapsed since the revolt of Sheba, the son of Bichri 2 Samuel 20:1, the feelings of the Benjamites had undergone a complete... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Kings 12:22

Shemaiah was the chief prophet in Judah during the reign of Rehoboam, as Ahijah was in Israel. See the marginal references. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Kings 12:23

The remnant - i. e., “the children of Israel which dwelt in the cities of Judah” (1 Kings 12:17 note). read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Kings 12:25

Built Shechem - In the sense of “enlarged and fortified.” See Daniel 4:30. The first intention of Jeroboam seems to have been to make Shechem his capital, and therefore he immediately set about its fortification. So also he seems to have fortified Penuel for the better security of his Trans-Jordanic possessions (marginal reference). read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Kings 12:26

Jeroboam’s fear was lest a reaction should set in, and a desire for reunion manifest itself. He was not a man content to remain quiet, trusting simply to the promise made him 1 Kings 11:38. Hence, he gave way to the temptation of helping forward the plans of Providence by the crooked devices of a merely human policy. His measures, like all measures which involve a dereliction of principle, brought certain evils in their train, and drew down divine judgment on himself. But they fully secured the... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Kings 12:27

Kill me - In case his subjects desired a reconciliation with Rehoboam, Jeroboam’s death would at once facilitate the re-establishment of a single kingdom, and obtain favor with the legitimate monarch. (Compare 2 Samuel 4:7.) read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Kings 12:28

The “calves of gold” were probably representations of the cherubic form, imitations of the two cherubim which guarded the ark of the covenant in the holy of holies. But being unauthorized copies, set up in places which God had not chosen, and without any divine sanction, the sacred writers call them “calves.” They were not mere human figures with wings, but had at any rate the head of a calf or ox. (Hence, some attribute this calf-worship entirely to Assyrian and Phoenician influence.)... read more

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