The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Kings — Section 321

that it should be here taken as indicating retributive judgments merited by one who had hardened his heart in sin. Observe- I. PRIVIT,EGEB INVOLVE REBPONBIBILITIES, Thus-I. Special favowr call, fo"I' special gratitude. (1) Jeroboam was" exalted from among the people." He was "an Ephro.thite of Zereda," an obscure place, mentioned once, and that only in connection with his birth (eh. xi 26). The names of his parents also had remained in obscurity but for the figure he cut in history. (2) He was made "prince" over the "people of God." This was e. splendid distinction. A people is great, not through its number or the extent of its territories, but from its virtues (see Deut. vii. G ; xiv. 2; xxvi. 18, 19). What an influence has that people exerted upon human destinies I (3) 'fhe kingdom rent from the house of David was given to him. Jeroboam, then, was placed in succession to that David who had led the armies of Israel to victory I Also to that Solomon who had built the temple, and who, in the earlier part of his career, filled the world with the fame of surpn.ssing wisdom I 2. The favoured are compared with their peers. (1) Jeroboam was a compeer to David. Both were lifted from humble station-David from the sheep, Jeroboam from the army (eh. xi. 28). Both ascended the throne of Israel-founded dynasties. (2) But how do they compare! "David kept the commandments of God "-followed Him" with all his heart.'' This did not Jeroboam. Melancholy record, he did nothing for God I 3. They are contrasted with their peers. (1) Jeroboam " had done evil above all that were before him." More than Saul, who never worshipped idols. More than Solomon, who did not make Israel to sin. (2) Jeroboam made" other gods; and" (or even) "molten images." Note: He intended his calves to represent the God of Israel; but the God of Israel Himself calls them "other gods." So are the images of Antichrist other gods though baptized with Christian names. This was worse than the idolatry of Solomon. The caricaturing of the true God is more offensive to Him than the worshipping of His creatures. Let the worshippers of barbarous pictures of the Holy Trinity, in which the Almighty is pourtrayed as a decrepit old man, and such-like, seriously consider this. (3) Jeroboam is described as having "cast" the God of Israel "behind his back." What a startling figure I How descriptive of the sin of those who now neglect God! II. RESPONSIBil,lTIES ABUSED PROVOKE JUDGMENTS. Amongst these may be men- tioned-I. The bitter sense of wasted opportunity. (1) Jeroboam is reminded that he once had the grand chance of making for himself a "sure house like David" (see eh. xi. 38). What golden opportunities may WtJ not have wasted I (2) 'fh11t though the more glorious chance was missed 11nd lost, he had then a gracious season of warnings, which eJso he let slip. (See events recorded eh. xiii) This respite improved might have averted, and would have mitigated, the severity of the jmlg- ments impending (compare eh. xxi. 29). 2. The knowledgtJ that thtJ day of ven- geance has set in. (1) An admonition of such a day was implitJd in the earlier prophecy of Ahijah, in the judgments then denounced age.inst the house of Dantl for the sin of Solomon (eh. xi. 30-38). (2) This admonition was declared explicitly in the message of the man of God from Judah, and solemnly impressed by the signs attending and following (eh. xiii.) (3) Now Abijahannounoes that thesejudgmeuts are taking effect. But even now, had Jeroboam come to God in the spirit of re- pentance, though his ~in is" unto death," yet might he save his soul. It is bard now to break a chain so riveted as that is by which he has bound himself. No repent- ance being evinced, the knell of doom sounds forth like the echoes of the closing door of Noah's s.:.k, which announced mercy fled and wrath begun. S. The severity of the sentence. (1) The honour of the house of Jeroboam is to be brought down ta ignominy. (2) The carcases of members of this family are to be consumed by carrion-feeders. Such are the swords of the wicked (compare Gen. xv. 11 ; Jer. xmv. 18-20). Whether by the sword of Baasho., or literally, after that sworil had done its part, the words of Ahijah co.me true (see oh. xv. 29). "The tloom of the house of Jeroboam was a figure of that of the house of this man of sin (eee Rev. xix. 17, 18). God knows the proud afar off. But He gives gra.oe to the humble.-J. A. M, 824 THE FIBST BOOK OF KINGS. [OH, XIV, 1-20. ------------------------------·----- Vers. 12-14.-The Reprobate's Doom. In the queen of Jeroboam we see o, remarkable messenger. For she went as messenger from a king and returned as messenger from a prophet. Her messn,ge in the first instance was simple, but in her return twofold. She brings a message to the king, and with it a message also to the nation. The message to the king brings- I. liEAYY TIDINGS RESPECTING ABIJAB, 1. As to the iss'lle of his ill,n,eas. (1) "The child shall die." This is a direct answer to the question with which the royal messenger was charged (ver. 8). Here was the withering of a limb of Jero- boam's family answering to the sign of the withering of his arm (see eh. xiii. 4). (2) The king does not now ask for the restoration of the child as he had done for the restoration of his arm (eh. xiii. G). He did not even ask, in time, that the judgment might be averted. How could he, without repenting of his sin? Note: The descents of depravity, like those of natural gravitation, are in accelerating degrees. (8) This judgment is the signal that the season of retributions has now fairly set in. What a horror to wake up to such a conviction I '' Be sure your sin will find you out." 2. As to the nea,r app1·oach of his death. (1) "When thy feet ent.er into the city." Every step of the queen's advance over that twelve miles from Shiloh to Tirzah measured a stride of death towards his victim. Do we sufficiently realize the fact that this is the case with us in passing through the journey of life ? (2) \\'hat must have been the conflict in the heart of the queen? Maternal affec- tion would urge her steps with speed that she might see her son alive. Yet was it a race with death ; and death was first at the palace. That monster overtakes the swiftest. If he passes one it is to strike another, and so that the recoil of his sting may wound the trembling heart. 8. As to the circumstances attending. "All Israel shall mourn for him and bury him ; " but for him only of the royal family, "because in him there is found some good thing towards the Lord God of Israel." Hence learn (1) God's punishments are discriminative. He does not overlook the good in the evil. (2) Yet the good suffer with the evil. Abijah dies for the sin of his father. Christ dies for the sin of the world. But in His death is life to the believer. (3) Still the good suffer for their good. They are taken away from evil to come. Had Abijah lived he might have been drawn into his father's sin. God often takes them soonest whom He loves best. (4) The evil suffer in the good. Jeroboam had reason to mourn the loss of the best of his family. So had Israel, since the succession would now open to a wicked prince. Note : We should pray for the preservation of virtuous and useful lives. Especially so when such are found in seats of power and influence. II. HEAVY TIDINGS RESPECTING HIS SURVIVORS. 1. They a,re devoted to extermi- nation. (1) This as a general fact was already known. (2) It is now published with additional circumstance. The agent that shall effect it is one who shall himself mount the throne ofisrl!.81. (8) This was fulfilled to the letter (see eh. xv. 27-80). 2. Judgment will come speedily. (1) Some think this exclamation of the prophet, "But what? Even now" arose from his having seen that this wuuld be the case. (2) So it proved. Within two years Jeroboam died. He was succeeded by Nadab, who two years later was slain by Baasha. In that time also, and by the same hand, the predicted extermination was completed. (3) "The wicked do not live out half their days." This is true of dynasties as of individuals. The dynasty of Jeroboam lasted only four and twenty years.-J. A. M. Vers. 15-16.-The Futwre of Israel. The vision of the Shilonite concerning the house of Israel, now before us, seems to have come upon him suddenly. We think the exclamation, " But what? Even now I" was the half-involuntary expression of the surprise of this new revelation. This utterance should, then, have stood e,1; the beginning of verse 15 rather than at the end of the verse preceding. The connecting particle "For,'' with which verse 16 now opens, fe.vours this view. The new vision describes the then future calamities of Israel, together with their provoking causes. 1. HE WAS HENCEFORTH TO BE TROUBLED IN BIB OWN LAND. He is there to stagger and tremble under the stroke of God-1. "As a reed is shaken in tM ell!. x.rv. 1-20.] TBE FIRST BOOK OF KINGS. 825