ass stood by it; the lion also stood by the carcass. 25 And, behold, men passed by, and saw the carcass cast in the way, and the lion standing by the carcass: and they came and told it in the city where the old prophet dwelt. 26 And when the prophet that brought || him back from the way heard thereof, he said, It is the man of God who was disobedient unto the word of the LORD: therefore the LORD hath delivered him unto the lion, which hath torn him, and slain him, according to the word of the LORD which he spake unto him. * 27 And he spake to his sons, saying, Saddle me the ass. And they saddled him. 28 And he went, and found his carcass cast in the way, and the ass and the lion standing by the carcass: the lion had not eaten the carcass, nor torn the 30 And he laid his carcass in his own grave: and they mourned over him, saying, Alas, my brother! 31 And it came to pass, after he had buried him, that he spake to his sons, saying, When I am dead, then bury me in the sepulchre wherein the man of God is buried; "lay my bones beside his bones: 32 For the saying which he cried by the word of the LORD against the altar in Beth-el, and against all the houses of the high places which are 4 in the cities of Samaria, shall surely come to pass. r 33 After this thing Jeroboam returned not from his evil way, but made again of the lowest of the people priests of the high places: whosoever would, he consecrated him, and he became one of the priests of the high places. 34 And this thing became sin unto the house of Jeroboam, even "to cut it off, and to destroy it from off the face of the earth. have all his people abhor, this newly instituted worship.-Thus, for one offence, a faithful servant of God was punished with immediate death, being "chastened of the Lord, that he should not be condemned with the world:" whilst the lying prophet, and the idolatrous king, escaped with impunity. being reserved to the punishments of a future state; which were in this instance loudly proclaimed. The old prophet indeed paid respect to the man of God, and expressed his conviction that his predictions would be verified, and a concern about his own bones. But he seems to have shewn no humiliation for his enormous crimes, no tokens of true repentance, no care about his soul: he neither left Beth-el, nor en God, whom he had seduced into disobedience; and thus to publish the shame of his own most impious imposture, which also implied against himself a far more dreadful doom, except he repented. The sentence was direct, that the prophet of Judah should not die in peace at home, to be buried in his own sepulchre: but the time and circumstances of his death were not specified. V. 23-32. The old prophet did not accompany the prophet of Judah, perhaps apprehensive of some divine judgment overtaking him: but some think, that he supplied him with the ass on which he rode, and that he had come on foot. The lion, commissioned by God, slew the prophet, but did not devour his body; and he neither hurt nor frighted away the ass: nay, he behaved so tame-tered a public protest against Jeroboam's idolaly, that travellers ventured past him, perhaps at a distance! And even the old prophet ventured, and was allowed without molestation, to take away his body for burial! Here is a cluster of 'miracles; that the lion, contrary to his nature, did not eat the carcass, nor kill the ass, nor meddle with the travellers that passed by, nor "with the old prophet and his ass: and that the "ass stood so quietly, and was not frighted at the "sight of the lion, and betake itself to flight. And 'more than this, the lion stood by the carcass a long time, till this strange news was carried into "the city; which made the miracle the more lustrious, and plainly shewed that this did not happen by chance." Bp. Patrick. All these niraculous circumstances marked the death of the man of God as a divine rebuke for his disobedience, in eating bread at idolatrous Beth-el; and both counteracted the conclusion, which Jeroboam might have been tempted to draw from his death against the truth of his message, and formed a solemn proof, how God abhorred, and would || try; nor did any thing, which many a hypocrite has not equalled or exceeded, in attempting to buoy up his own presumption, or to impose upon others. Nay, he appears to have been desirous of gratifying his own vanity, and his claim to be considered as a prophet, when he buried the man of God in his own sepulchre, and lamented over him, "Alas, my brother!" He was, however, in strumental in accomplishing the Lord's word: and the prophet of Judah being buried at Betael, with a monumental inscription, would tend to keep his prediction in remembrance, and be an il-abiding protest against the worship of the golden calves.--The man of God from Judah appears to have spoken more prophecies, than are mentioned in the beginning of the chapter: and though the city Samaria was not yet built, the historian calls the cities in that neighborhood, "The cities of Samaria;" in some of which Jeroboam had built high places. V. 33, 34. Notes, 12:31-33. 14:9-16. 2 Chr. 13:13–22. PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS. V. 1-10. of the souls of those who blindly followed such The Lord often meets sinners in the midst of The cause of God admits of no neutrality. their crimes, with alarming indications of his dis- (Note, Matt. 12:29,30.) In times of general apospleasure, to shew that "their way is perverse be- tacy, or increasing infidelity and ungodliness, we fore him."-It requires great fortitude to deliver are especially called to bear our testimony, withfaithfully the messages of God, especially to out yielding to fear or shame: and if any profess those in authority: for a full and plain declara-ed Christian will not confess Christ in this world, tion of his word will certainly exasperate the Christ will not own him in the day of judgment. proud and ungodly of every description, whether But if a reputed prophet, an old prophet, who profane, superstitious, or hypocritical. But the appeared zealous for the truth, while credit and Lord will bear those out whom he sends, and who advantage accrued from it, purchase security by simply trust and obey him: and faith in him is conniving at prevailing abominations, he may sufficient to overcome the fear of man. They justly be suspected of hypocrisy. These are inwho are employed in services of this kind should deed "dumb dogs that cannot bark," when the speak and act decidedly, as men in earnest, call-Lord is robbed of his worship and honor; and are ing upon the very inanimate creation to testify, not fit persons to be employed by him, or counas it were, against the crimes of presumptuous of- tenanced by his faithful people. In some cases fenders, who will not regard the word of God; in they are even worse than the active instruments order that a deeper impression may be left upon of deception: because they sin against greater the minds of their hearers.-The Lord is pecu- light; they more frequently stumble unestablishliarly offended with those, who attempt any thing ed persons, and bring deeper disgrace upon the against such intrepid reprovers of sin; and they, truths which they have professed. Such timewho have most insulted his servants, are often servers, however, are often willing to be thought brought by affliction to pay court to them, and to the servants of God by religious people, though desire their prayers. Nor ought this ever to be ashamed of him among his enemies: and for that refused: for by returning good for cvil, their se- purpose, they covertly seek the acquaintance of verity against men's crimes is proved to be con- those ministers who are in reputation for faithfulnected with compassionate love for their persons; ness, and shew them kindness. But they are the and in answer to prayer, God often bestows tem- most dangerous, because the most plausible and poral mercies upon impenitent sinners; though, unsuspected, of all tempters to real Christians, continuing such, they cannot escape the damna- whose candor makes them willing to hope the tion of hell.-Carnal men frequently betray their best of them, to credit their professions, and to impenitency under convictions, even by their return their civilities. Having learned to be siconcessions: they acknowledge the true believer lent, when called to defend the truth, they soon to be the servant of God, but they do not imitate learn to forge lies in the name of God, when it him: they feel the vanity of their own supersti- can answer their purpose; and, by various spetions or worldly idols, but they do not renounce cious pretences, they obtain the esteem of the them: they desire the removal of their afflictions, unwary, and abuse their confidence by inveigling rather than the forgiveness of their sins, or the them into disobedience: so that tempters of this mortification of their lusts: and they shew kind-description often prevail, when the terrors of perness or offer presents to the minister who prays for them, while they requite the Lord with base ingratitude. When persons are living in open || sins, and causing others to sin by their influence and authority, the “men of God” should manifest their abhorrence of their crimes, by refusing to accept of any favors from them, and by separating from all intercourse with them. And when those who are in low circumstances act in this manner, with firmness and meekness, and plainly assign the reasons of their conduct; it will be one of the most alarming and convincing warnings, which can possibly be given. Ministers and Christians must often go among ungodly people, Nothing can excuse any act of wilful disobebut they ought never to make themselves famil-dience: the tempter "hath the greater sin," but iar with them; and should shew that they are so the tempted is deeply criminal; and the offences uneasy in their company, that none of their tem- of those who are much honored and employed of poral good things can bribe them, needlessly to God, are of all the most dishonorable to him, as prolong or repeat their visits. In order to this, they rivet the prejudices and embolden the blasthey must be superior to the love of worldly pleas- phemies of his enemies. Such offenders thereure and interest, inured to hardship and self-de- fore shall by no means escape correction in this nial, and well acquainted with the command-world: and perhaps their very tempters shall be ments of God.-In the mystery of Providence, employed to denounce, or inflict, the chastisefalse religion is permitted to be planted, and to ments of the Lord upon them; or in other respects prevail to the deceiving of great multitudes: but they shall be made very severe and alarming: the Lord keeps the times and seasons in his own while the wicked frequently escape, in this life, power; he foresees and determines those events, being "reserved unto the day of judgment to be which are most distant and appear most contin- punished."-The exact obedience of the irragent; and he will in his appointed time destroy tional creatures to their Maker, forms a reproach every species of irreligion or superstition, by one of man's rebellion: for he can restrain or change of the house of David, of far nobler name and the very nature of every creature, to render it greater excellency than Josiah.-But the tokens subservient to his wise and righteous purposes.of his displeasure, on the instruments of iniquity, Happy are they, who are habitually ready for proclaim his awful vengeance upon the sinners death: even if the Lord shall call them hence, themselves: and none will become sacrifices to by some awful rebuke for an incidental transhis justice with deeper detestation and contempt, gression; while they are made useful warnings to than hireling ministers, who for filthy lucre have others, they will be found safe and happy themcountenanced false religion, to the destruction || selves. (Notes, 2 Kings 22:15-20. 1 Cor. 11.29 secution, and the allurements of preferment, have V. 20-34. 3 And take with thee ten loaves, and + cracknels, and a cruse of honey, cruse of honey, and go to him: he shall tell thee what shall become of the child. 4 And Jeroboam's wife did so, and arose, and went to & Shiloh, and came to the house of Ahijah. But Ahijak could h for his eyes were set by reaage. not see; son of his a 13:33,34. Or, cakes. 2 Sam. 13:6. d See on 11:29-38. e 13:7. 1 Sam. 9:7,8. 2 Kings 4: 4. Jer. 7.12-14. h Ged. 27:1. 48:10. Deut. 34:7. 6 And it was so, when Ahijah heard the sound of her feet, as she came in at the door, that he said, Come in, thou wife of Jeroboam; why feignest thou thyself to be another? m for I am sent to thee with heavy tidings. n 7 Go, tell Jeroboam, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Forasmuch as I exalted thee from among the people, and made thee prince over my people Israel, 8 And rent the kingdom away from the house of David, and gave it thee: and yet thou hast not been as my servant David, who kept my commandments, and who followed me with all his heart, to do that only which was right in mine eyes; 9 But 4 hast done evil above all that i 2 Kings 4:27. 6:8-12. Prov. 14:21. 1 2,5. Ez. 14:3-5,7,8. Luke Heb. 4:13. m 10,11. 13:20-22. 20:42. 21:18 n 12:24. 16:2. 1 Sam. 2:27-.30 15:16. 2 Sam. 12:7,8. o See on 11:30,31. p 3:14. 11:33,38. 15:5. 2 Chr. 17 31. Heb. stood for his hoariness. -34.)—But many will shew respect to the ser- 'avert his displeasure.' He did not request the vants of the Lord, assent to the truth of their prophet's instructions or prayers; or even his diwords, appear to lament their death, and wish to rections what to do in order to his son's recovhave their lot with them in another world; who ery: he only wished to be relieved from his anxiyet live and die impenitent: (Note, Num. 23:10.) ety, by being informed whether he would or and many are warned, convinced, and alarmed, would not recover. (Notes, 2 Kings 1:2. 8:7,8.) who silence their consciences, and practise in- Not choosing himself to go to the prophet, fearing creasing wickedness, to the utter ruin of them- his severe reproofs and warnings; and perhaps selves and those connected with them. Let all being unwilling that the people should discover then fear provoking God to leave them to final his own private judgment concerning his calves, hardness of heart: let us "take heed and beware and their priests; he would not confide the busiof hypocrisy;" let us dread prospering in sinfulness to any servant, but sent his wife: yet, she ways; let us tremble while we read this chapter, and pray earnestly to be kept from every delusion and temptation, and to be enabled to walk with self-denying perseverance in the way of God's commandments! NOTES. CHAP. XIV. V. 1-4. In the remainder of the books of the Kings, we have the history of Judah and Israel carried on together, or with continual transitions from one to the other. But the latter part of the second book of Chronicles more fully relates the history of the kings of Judah, and drops that of the kings of Israel, except as connected with the other.-Jeroboam had taken no notice of Ahijah, either while taking possession of the kingdom, or when establishing his idolatrous worship at Dan and Beth-el; being conscious that the prophet would have opposed and condemned his whole conduct. But when his son Abijah was dangerously ill, he wished to know from the prophet, whether he would recover or not: for he was convinced, that more dependence might be placed on his word, than on that of all nis priests. But he did not inquire, Where"fore the Lord corrected him,' or, "How he might must go in disguise, as the wife of a husbandman, with a present suitable to one in that station, to inquire about her son, without informing the prophet of her rank!-Alas! what ideas must he have had of the infinite and omniscient God, that he should expect him to reveal to his prophet, whether the son of this unknown person would recover; without revealing who it was that came to inquire of him!-Ahijah was infirm, and blind with age; and, not being fitted as formerly for active service, he lived retired, and probably much respected, at Shiloh; lamenting doubtless, though he could not prevent, the sin and misery of his people. Cracknels. (3) : from punctatus a kind of cake, marked with spots, probably reckoned a delicacy. V. 5, 6. The Lord previously informed his servant of the whole device, by immediate revelation, and instructed him what message to deliver. The wife of Jeroboam came to the prophet; yet, as he was commissioned to declare to her the purpose of God, he told her, that he "was sent to her with heavy tidings:" and, as she came with dissimulation, and in an assumed garb and charac ter, in order to impose upon him; and as Jero [251 were before thee: for thou hast gone and made thee other gods, and molten images, to provoke me to anger, and hast cast me behind thy back: 10 Therefore, behold, "I will bring evil upon the house of Jeroboam, and will cut off from Jeroboam him that pisseth against the wall, and him that is shut up and left in Israel, and will take away the remnant of the house of Jeroboam, 2 as a man taketh away dung, till it be all gone. 11 Him that dieth of Jeroboam in the city shall the dogs eat; and him that dieth in the field shall the fowls of the air eat: for the LORD hath spoken it. 12 Arise thou therefore, get thee to thine own house: and when thy feet enter into the city, the child shall die. r Dent. 32:16,17,21. Judg. 5:8. 2 Chr. 11:15. Ps. 106.19,20. 115.4-8. Is. 44:9-20. Jer. 10: 14-16. $ 22. Deut. 9:8-16,24. 2 Kings 21.3. 25:26. 2 Chr. 33:6. Ps. 78:40,56. Jer. 7:9,10. Ez. 8:9, 17. 1 Cor. 10:22. t Neb. 9:26. Ps. 50:17. Ez. 23: 35. u 15:25-30. Am. 3:6. x 16:11. 21:21. 1 Sam. 25:22,34. 2 Kings 9:8.9. y Deut. 32:36. 2 Kings 14:26. a 16:4. 21:19,23,94. Is. 66:24. b 3.6.17. 2 Kings 1:6,16. John boam had apostatized to idolatry; he shewed no manner of respect to her rank, or to that of her husband. (Notes, 21:20. Dan. 5:17.) 16 And he shall give Israel up be cause of the sins of Jeroboam, P who did sin, and who made Israel to sin. 26,27. 28:36,64-68. 29:24-28 Josh. 23:15,16. 12 Kings 15:29. 17:23. 18:11,12 Am. 5.27. Acts 7.43. m Ex. 34:13,14. Deut. 12:3,4. n See on 9,23,24. o Is. 40:24. Hos. 9:11,12,16,17. p 12:30. 13:34. 15:30,34. 16:2 Ex. 32:21,35. Jer. 5:31. Hos. 5:11.12. Mic. 6:16. Matt. 18:7. Rom. 14:13. save Abijah, be buried, but their dead bodies should be left above ground, till the dogs or the fowls of the air devoured them, to their deeper disgrace and abhorrence. (Notes, 21:21-26. 2 Kings 9:30-37. Jer. 8:1-3.) Hast cast me, &c. (9) Neglecting me and 'my service. For those things we cast behind our backs, which are nothing worth; and for which we have no regard, or concern what becomes of them.' Bp. Patrick. nest of the entire destruction of Jeroboam's family, and a sort of preparation for it.—It seems, that Israel, though generally apostate, had some sense of Abijah's worth, and of their loss by his death, and sincerely mourned for him. (18. Note, 2 Chr. 35:25-27.) V. 7-11. (Notes, 11:29-38.)-Jeroboam intended that his calves, at Dan and Beth-el, should represent the God of Israel, who brought the nation out of the land of Egypt; and would have his subjects to think, that they were worshipping the God of their fathers. (Note,12:26-29.) But the Lord called them, "other gods, and molten images;" for as he cannot be represented by any V. 12, 13. Abijah was the only person of all the similitude, so he abhors all image-worship as the house of Jeroboam, who was well disposed to the grossest idolatry. The case is precisely the same, worship and service of JEHOVAH: and it is prob as to the worship of images in the church of able, that he had expressed strong disapprobaRome. (Note, 2 Chr. 11:13—17.) None of the tion of his father's idolatry, and a purpose of suprulers or Judges of Israel had acted so wickedly: pressing it, if he should ever have it in his power. Saul, who had been rejected for his rebellion, His removal was therefore a heavy judgment had not committed open idolatry; much less had upon Israel, who were unworthy of so pious a he used his authority to promote it. Even Solo-prince to reign over them: and it was the earmon, for whose apostacy the ten tribes had been rent from his son, had not established idolatry by a law, as Jeroboam had done: nor had any thing so atrocious been attempted by Israel, since it became a nation. Such judgments therefore were denounced against Jeroboam's house, as had never before been inflicted: and some of the terms used here occur for the first time. (Marg. Ref. x, y.-Note, 1 Sam. 25:21,22, v. 22.) -By "him that is shut up and left in Israel," may be meant, 'every one who has taken refuge in the most fortified cities, and every one that has 'escaped from the more general devastations:' or, in general, all without exception, however secure they might suppose themselves to be; even these would be pursued and cut off. Or, an allusion may be made to those peculiar treasures, which are shut up for security in the safest re- V. 15, 16. These verses emphatically prepositories, and are reserved to the last when all dict the enfeebled, distracted state of Israel, by else is spent; and yet they must be parted with, continual usurpations, massacres, and civil wars, or will be searched out and seized upon. Indeed and the further idolatries into which they were the house of Jeroboam was become as offensive led by their wicked princes, until they were givto the Lord, as dung would be in a man's habita- en up finally at the Assyrian captivity. They tion; and should therefore be taken away till there were punished for "willingly walking after the was none left. Nor should any of his family, commandment" of Jeroboam, to worship the V. 14. (Notes, Ex. 9:13-16.)-But what? even now.] That is, 'Do not think that these judgments are distant events; but prepare for them, and "consider what will be the consequence if they should come immediately; for they are even now at hand.' In two years after Jeroboam's death, Baasha utterly extirpated his family. (15:2530.)-Some, however, interpret the clause to mean, that the desolation of Jeroboam's hous should merely be an introduction to still greate calamities on Israel. e 17 And Jeroboam's wife arose, and committed, above all that their fathers departed, and came to Tirzah: and had done. when she came to the threshold of the door, the child died; 18 And they buried him: and all Israel mourned for him, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake by the hand of his servant Ahijah the prophet. 19 And the rest of the acts of Jeroboam, how he warred, and how he reigned, behold, they are written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel. 20 And the days which Jeroboam 954. reigned were two and twenty years: 门 B. C. 事 " and he slept with his fathers, and Na dab his son reigned in his stead. [Practical Observations.] 23 For they also built them high places, and images, and groves, on every high hill, and under every green tree. h 24 And there were also Sodomites in the land: and they did according to all the abominations of the nations, which the LORD cast out before the children of Israel. 25 And it came to pass in the fifth year of king Rehoboam, that Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem: k 26 And he took away the treasures of the house of the LORD, and the treas B. C. ¶ 21 And Rehoboam the son of Sol-ures of the king's house; he even took 975. omon reigned in Judah. Reho- away all; and he took away all the boam was forty and one years old when shields of gold which Solomon had made. he began to reign, and he reigned seven- 27 And king Rehoboam " made in teen years in Jerusalem, the city which their stead brazen shields, and committhe LORD did choose out of all the tribes ted them unto the hands of the chief of of Israel, to put his name there. And the guard, which kept the door of the his mother's name was b Naamah an Am- king's house. golden calves; and for concurring in his revolt from the house of David, and from the worship of God. (Marg. Ref. p. Notes, Hos. 5:11,12. 8: 2-6. 13:10,11. Mic. 6:16.) V. 17, 18. Nole, 12,13.-Tirzah. (17) Marg. Ref. 9. 28 And it was so, when the king went into the house of the LORD, that the guard bare them, and brought them back into the guard-chamber. e 16:30. 2 Kings 21:11. Ez. 16: f 3:2. Deut. 12:2. Is. 57:5. Ez. Or, standing images, or, stat- g Mic. 5:14. Deut. 12:2. 2 Kings h 15:12. 22:46. Gen. 19:5. 1 Cor. 6:9. i 11:40. 2 Chr. 12:2-4. k See on 7:51.-15:18. 2 Kings 1 10:16,17. 2 Chr. 9:15, 16. Heb. runners. 1,5. 18:46. 1 Sam. 8:11. 22:17. 2 Sam. 15:1. n 2 Chr. 12:11. married the daughter of Talmai the king of Geshur; but the character of Absalom, his son by her, should have cautioned him against such marriages. (Notes, 2 Sam. 3:2-5. 13:37-39. 15:— 17:) It is very doubtful whether Naamah ever cordially embraced true religion: and as Solomon worshipped the gods of Ammon among the rest, it has been thought, that she at last became one of his seducers. (Note, 3:1. 11:1—8.) V. 19, 20. (Marg. Ref.) The book, &c. (19) These chronicles, or words of days, or journals, were the public records of the kingdom, from whence extracts seem to have been made by the V. 22-24. It was a most extraordinary cir inspired writers, with such additions as were suit- cumstance, that, after the priests and Levites, ed for instruction. If any one wished further to and pious persons from Israel, had settled in Jugratify his curiosity, he was referred to the origi- dah, (Note, 2 Chr. 11:13--17. 12:1.) Rehoboam nal records: but these have now long since been and his subjects in general should become more buried in oblivion. The same may be said of gross idolaters, than the Israelites were. Yet "The book of the chronicles of the kings of Ju- this was actually the case: for they worshipped dah," (29) which were the records of that king- false gods even more directly than the Israelites; dom, and not that part of holy writ, which we and the groves seem to have been temples erected call the Books of Chronicles. (Marg. Ref.-in shady places, where the most abominable lewdNotes, 11:41. 1 Chr. 29:29,30.) V. 21. Rehoboam was born one year before David's death: for Solomon reigned only forty years: and having had his education in the best part of his father's reign, he had abundant opportunity of becoming a wiser man than he proved to be. Naamah is supposed to have been the daughter of Shobi, the Ammonite, who was kind to David in Absalom's rebellion; (Note, 2 Sam. 17:27-29.) and Shobi having been proselyted to the religion of Israel, David took his daughter to be the wife of his son Solomon, perhaps out of gratitude for his kindness. David had himself ness was practised in honor of their filthy idols. (Marg. Ref.-Notes, 9-11. 12:26-29. Lev. 18: 21--30.) Thus they far surpassed all their progenitors in abominable idolatries, and emulated the abominations of the devoted Canaanites. V. 25-28. It is probable that Shishak was excited by Jeroboam, as well as allured by the prospect of an immense booty, in thus making war against Rehoboam. (Note, 11:40.) If, as some learned men suppose, Shishak was the Sesostris of pagan historians, he was a most powerful and formidable conqueror: and Rehoboam, perhaps intimidated by seeing the hand of God so speedily |