The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Kings — Section 277

of the man was constantly associo.ted, foreshadowing the assumption of the manhood into the Godhead by that blessed Person. (8) And the eagle, the emblem of a.ir, stood for the Holy Spirit. (4) These, therefore, are called the cherubim, or ainn,iUtudes of the Great Ones, from C1:J1 Great Ones, and ::, Uke. 3. Micah'a teraphvm were like Jeroboam', calves. (1) They were e. compound or plural image like the cherubim, and used like them (see Judg. xvii. 5, xviii. 5). (2) Michael was a worehipl)er of the true God, e.nd so wa.s Le.ban, who also used teraphim (see Gen. xxn. 19, 80, 37, 49). (3) Compare also 1 Sam. xix. 13; Ezek. xx:i.. 21 ; Hosea iii. 4. (4) The cerberus of the pagans, with its plurality of heads, was a corruption, and the name of that monster keeps up the sound, of the original Hebrew cherubim. How subtle is the spirit of idolatry I We cannot keep too close to God's Word.-M. Vere. 28-83.-Jeroboam's Sin. The king of Israel, moved by personal ambition instead of zeal for God, fearing lest his people, in going to Jerusalem to worship, should see reason to regret having rent the kingdom, took counsel to prevent this. The result was the development of the policy described in the text. It was cunning- I. IN THE XIND OF WORSHIP IMPOSED. 1. As to its objects. (1) It purported to be the worship of the God of Israel. Essentially the same with the worship at J ernealem. Thus it conciliated favour. Had it been the worship of any god of the nations, opposition would have been provoked. (2) Yet was it idolatry. So in like manner is much of the worship of modem times which passes under the name of Christianity. Sata.n does not lose his identity by transforming himself into a.n angel of light. 2. As to its modes. (2) Its images were imitations of the cherubim. Such also were the teraphim. And as God was said to dwell in, not " between " (:J~' is to inhabit), the cherubim, so Jeroboam directed his dupes to seek the God of Israel in his calves. (2) With these were associated altars, for sacrifice and incense, like those in the temple; and the victims would be clea.n animals proper for sacrifice ; the incense also would be similar to that burnt in Jerusalem. (3) He had a Feast of Tabernacles, which is described in the text as '' like unto the feast that is in Judah." Only that he altered the date as well a.s the place from the fifteenth day of the seventh month to the corresponding day of the month following. It is significantly noted," which he had devised of his own heart" (see Num. xv. 89). He was a forerunner of another character who has not hesitated to "change times e.nd laws" (Do.n. vii 26). 8. As to its ministers. (1) His priests were Levites, where he could get them. In this he seems to have succeeded at Dan. For the descendants of Jonathan, who was of the family of Aaron, appear to have fallen in with his designs (see Judg. xvi.ii 80). (2) But it was different at Bethel. Here the Levites, it is to be hoped, had too much principle to serve his calves. So "he made priests of the lowest of the people." (3) Amongst these he otlicii:,ted himself. Morally he was indeed amongst the lowest of the people, notwit~sto.nding his position as king. This, unhappily, was not sufficiently discerned. The wicked do not understand (Dan. xii. 10). II. IN THE PLACES CHOSEN FOR THAT WORSHIP. 1. Dan was chosen with sagacity. (1) This was a city in the north, whose Co.naanitish no.me wns Laish, but which, when conquered by the Danites, received the name of their father (Judg. xviii 29-81). This would be convenient to the people living so distant from Jerusalem. (2) Besides, from its founding, this city was sacred to the worship of God through the medium of teraphim. This was about the time of Joshua's death, when Phinehas ministered at the tabernacle at Shiloh (compare Jmlg. xx. 27, 28). From these very teraphim, when they were in the house of Micah, Go(l gave responses to Jonathan the priest. (8) For the tcraphim of Micah, which were carved blocks covered with silver, Jeroboam substituted one of his calves, which was covered with gold; otherwise there does not appear to hn.ve bceu any material change in the worship there. So the prejuuices of the people woultl not be shocked. 2. Bethel also was chosen with sagacity. (1) This was iu the southern part of the kingdom, to o.ccommolbte those who might olherwiso go Lg 280 THE FIRST BOOK OF KINGS. [en. xn. 25--88.