The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Kings — Section 286

but the altar was ultimately dishonotll'ed and overthrown. The Reformer who should desecrate it with bones of men was already appointed in the counsels of God. E-ven so, sooner or later, " every plant which my heavenly Father hath not pla.nted shall be rooted up" (Matt, xv. 13). "If this work be of men, it will oome to nought" (Acts v. 38). "Our little systems have their day, They have their day and cease to be." Ma.gna est veritaa, &c. The Babel of sects cannot last for ever. 2. The ministers of God are secure so long as they do their iJ;u,ty, Jeroboam, with the ten tribes at bis back, was powerless against the unprotected missionary. " He reproved kings for their sakes, saying . . . Do my prophets no harm" (Paa. cv. 14, 15). The stars shall fall from their colll'ses before a hair of their heads shall be injured. Cf. Dan. iii. 27 ; vi. 22 ; 2 Rings i. 10, &c. But it may be objected, "The saints and messengers of God have often been brutally outraged and mlll'dered" (Heb. xi. 35-37). True, but who shall say that they were not then most secure ? " Through much tribulation we must enter into the kingdom of God'' (Acts riv. 22). It was when Stephen was martyred that he saw "Jesus standing"-i.e., to help-" at the right band of God." It has been suggested that it was when St. Paul was stoned and taken up for dead (Acts xiv. 19) that he was caught up into Paradise (2 Cor. xii 4). Sic iter ad astra. 8. The wicked cannot dispense with the prayers of the saints. "Entreat the face of the Lord thy God and pray for me" (cf. Exod. ix. 28; Num. xii. 2, 13; Acts viii. 24). How often has this history repeated itself; and what a foreshadow- ing of the world to come I Here was one of the synagogue of Satan worshipping at the prophet's feet, &c. (Rev. iii. !l). Observe, too, it is the part of a man of God to answer threats with prayers. "They are mine adversaries, but I, prayer" (Psa. ci.x. 4, Heb.; cf. Psa. x:uv. 18 sqq.) It is the very best way of overcoming evil with good. 4. Men are often more concerned, about theilr sufferings than about their aims. J eroboam's entreaty is, not that his ain may be forgiven, but that bis hand may be restored. How many pray, " Heal my body;" how few, "Heal my soul, for I have sinned against thee" (Psa. xli. 4). The plague of head or hand extorts more cries for mercy than the plague of the heart (cb. viii. 88). 5. " Law and order cannot be violated, with impunity by any ruler under awy religious pretext" (Maurice). The rent altar teaches the lesson of Pea. ii. 2-5: " Those betray themselves that think by any sin to support themselves." . , . "He promised himself that the calves would secure the crown to his family, but it proved they lost it" (M. Henry). 6. Let the ministers of God, beware of bribery. " Come home with me and I will give," &c. The device of Jeroboam for silencing and conciliating the prophet has often been tried since, and with fatal success. How many men's mouths have been stopped by a sop-by place or pension, nay, by an insignificant present. Men know well-the enemy of man knows well-that the preacher finds 1t hard to reprove e. benefactor. The writer once heard an in1luential person boasting that he bad silenced his clergyman's remonstrances and appeals by a present of game I The world bas a shrewd suspicion that the clergy are not incorruptible; that they, like others, Lave their price. Let us be on our guard against social corruption. How sinister the in1luence of some homes on the younger clergy. Tlie cordial " Coma home with me " was to them a snare of Satan. With the State clergy how strong the temptation to sacrifice independence for a benefice; with Nonconformists, to speak smooth words lest tile congregation should "stop the supplies-" !£he man of God thus speaks to all miniaters of God. OB. Xln, 1-10,] THE FIBBT BOOK OF KINGS. 289