The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Kings — Section 260

they have ea.id so when David delivered them from the hand of Goliath ? How fitful is the passion of the multitude I How soon are good men forgotten I (2) In rejecting David did they not forsake the Lord who gave them David o.nd his seed for ever by a covenant of salt? (2 Chron. xiii. 5--8.) (3) In rejecting David, in whom was the promise of Messiah, did they not go far towards rejecting Christ? See Stephen's argument, Acts vii. (4) Were tl.tey not impolitic in tl.tis? In BO rejecting David they alienated from tl.teir cause tl.te great tribe of Judah. Wrong is never truly politic. (5) In t.heir hot haste they do not consult God, either by w-im or by prophet (Hosea viii. 4). II. IT WAS COMPLETED IN THE CROWNING OF JEROBOAM. 1. Between these acts there was an interval. (1) While in their tents the Israelites were still open to consider. They were as yet committed to no policy for the future. Time and re- flc~tion might have shown them that their anger ho.d been carried too far. (2) Wise counsel now might have brought before them the evils of a division in the nation. Thus they would be weakened in the presence of the heathen. And in case of differences with Judah difficulties might arise in respect to their religious duties. For their temple was in the dominion of Judah. They may, there- fore, be liable to temptations to i1Teligion, if not to idolatry. (3) While in their tents they were likewise still open to negotiations. Reasonable concessions now from Rehoboam might bring them back to their allegiance. 2. But Rehoboam's folly hastened the sequel. (1) He sent among them "Adoram, who was over the tribute." Adoram, from bis office, was odious to them, for the taxes he had collected were the very ground of their complaint. Thus the iufatuation of the king was as conspicuous in his choice of an ambassador as in that of his coun- sellors. (2) The haste with which this was done aggravated the evil. It was done while he was yet in Shechem, before his retw"ll to Jerusalem. If Adoram was commissioned then to collect taxes, Rehoboam lost no time in producing his scorpion. (3) Irritated as they were, this act roused their resentment to fury, and " all Israel stoned" Adoram to death. 3. They now completed the revolution. (1) Reboboam, in terror of his life, mounted bis chariot, and fled to Jerusalem. So ignominiously ended his threatening words I (Prov. xi. 2 ; xvi. 18 ; xvii. 19 ; xviii. 12.) (2) Israel, now free from the embarrassment of the monarch's presence pro- ceeded at once to crown Jeroboam. (3) But in all this there is no consultation with the Lord; yet to the letter are the predictions of Ahijah verified. There is a Pro- vidence in human affairs. Prophecy makes this evident. Wicked men are, in their very waywarduess, unconsciously made the instruments of that Providence in bringing punishment upon themselves.-M. Vars. 21-24.-The Message of Shemaiah. In the order of Providence the words of the prophet Ahijah became so far translated into history, that ten of the tribes of Israel had revolted from the son of Solomon and bad made the son of Nebat their king. Rehoboam, unwilling to lose so important a porUon of bis kingdom, was now mustering a formidable army to reduce them to submission, At ibis juncture the word of the Lord came to Shemaiah. Let us consider- I. TBE MESSAGE. 1. It was the word of Jehovah. (1) So it is worthy of all respect. It is the word of Infinite Wisdom and Knowledge. It is the word of the Supreme Arbiter. (2) God does not speak immerliately to men upon ordinary occasions. Indirectly He speaks to us evermore and in a million voices. (8) Happy is that people among whom the voice ot God is heard. This was eminently the happiness of Israel. It was a sad day in Israel when there was " no open vision" (1 Sam. iii 1). 2. It came by the hand of Shemaiah. (1) God spake "in divers manners." By audible voice, as from Sinai; by urim, as in the temple; by dream; and by prophet, as in the present case. (2) Ahijah was a man of Odd. Such in general were the prophets. But sometimes it pleased God to use persons of equivocal character ;-Balaam, Phe.ra.-0h, Nebuchadnezzar, Oaiaphas (John xi. 49-52). 8. It came to the wlwle comr1111wrvUy. (1) To Rehoboam. He was first me!J,tioned as the head. Aleo because he was the pr~cip!'-1 cause of th~ mischief which he now sought to repair. (2) To Judah and BenJa.mm. These tribes were OB. XII, 1-24.] THE FIRST BOOK OF KINGS. 203