1 Kings 13

1 Kings 13:1

A man of God] A prophet, v. 18. one inspired and sent by God, as chap. 12. 22.

to burn] Or, to offer; With his own hand, as chap. 12. 33.

1 Kings 13:2

cried] With earnestnesse and boldnesse declared his message, Isaiah 58:1.

against the altar] To astonish the king the more, as Jeremiah 22:29.

in the word, &c.] Inventing nothing of himself.

O altar, altar] An elegant and emphaticall expression of his message, as Isaiah 29:1. Under the term, altar, all his idolatrous worship is comprised, because offerings on that altar were principall parts thereof.

Behold] Though these things were accomplished three hundred and thirty yeers after this, yet they are as punctually in their particular circumstances set down, as if it had been, not a prediction of future things, but a narration of things past. Read 2 King. 22. 1, 2. and 23. 15, 16, 17.

Josiah by name] 2 Kings 23:16.

priests] See the accomplishing of this, 2 Kings 23:20.

1 Kings 13:3

a signe] To assure them that heard him of the truth of his prophesie, Jeremiah 28:9.

shall be rent] Presently, of it self, without any violence from another.

poured out] Shall with such violence fall out, as water poured down.

1 Kings 13:4

put forth his hand] In anger, to have apprehended him.

dried up] By the flesh withering, and sinews shrinking.

1 Kings 13:5

The altar] The event was every way answerable to the threatning.

1 Kings 13:6

answered] In regard of Gods speaking to him by that signe.

the face] This is attributed to God after the manner of man: the face most manifesteth displeasure and anger, or good liking and favour. His meaning then is, That the prophet would beseech the LORD to turn away his anger, and then pray for his favour.

thy God] As Jonah 1:6. This in opposition to his own idolls.

the Lord] Heb. the face of the Lord.

1 Kings 13:7

Come home] Wonders work on the stoutest, and mollifieth them, Exodus 8:8.

refresh] Heb. strengthen.

1 Kings 13:8

half thine house] A proverbiall speech, Esth. 5. 3. Mar. 6. 23. like to Numbers 22:18.

in this place] In this city; for he denied, on this ground, to eat in the old prophets house, v. 16.

1 Kings 13:9

nor turn] As one ashamed, or afraid, or failing of his purpose returns, 2 Kings 19:28.

1 Kings 13:11

old] In yeers and office, yet not very faithfull, vers. 18.

prophet] Because he assumed that function, as 1 Kings 18:28. and God used his ministery, v. 10. as Numbers 23:5.

in Beth-el] There he had his habitation; but at that time he came from Samaria, 1 Kings 23:18. or had formerly dwelt in Samaria.

his sonnes] Heb. his sonne; First, one sonne told the news, then other of his sons confirmed the same: therefore the singular number is used in the first place, and afterward the plurall.

1 Kings 13:12

had seen] Had observed, and thereupon told their father.

the asse] Those beasts were in those countreys used, as horses are now with us, Numbers 22:21. He was old, and knew not how far he might go before he might overtake the man of God, and therefore useth this help.

1 Kings 13:14

sitting] For he was weary and hungry, as Christ, John 4:6.

1 Kings 13:15

Come home] It is probable that the sons of the old man had told him how the man of God had refused to accept the kings invitation, so as he could not mean any good by this invitation.

1 Kings 13:16

in this place] See v. 8.

1 Kings 13:17

it was said] Heb. a word was. See v. 9.

1 Kings 13:18

an angel] For God was wont to declare his minde to men by angels, Numbers 22:35.

lied] This was not the part of a prophet.

1 Kings 13:19

he went back, &c.] Contrary to the expresse charge which he had before received (v. 9.) from which no angel should have drawn him, Galatians 1:8.

1 Kings 13:20

the word of the Lord] God can inspire wicked men, and use their ministery, Numbers 23:5. John 11:51.

1 Kings 13:21

cried] Being, by an inward divine rapture, in a manner forced, though it were an evidence against his own former word. See v. 2.

1 Kings 13:22

thy carcase, &c.] Thou shalt not die among thy kinred, nor be buried with thy progenitours. This was accounted a curse, 2 Chron. 21. 20.

1 Kings 13:23

he] The man of God.

he sadled] The old prophet caused the asse to be sadled.

1 Kings 13:24

met him] Ordered by the divine providence (v. 26.) as Chap. 20. 36. 2 Kings 2:24.

slew him] Judgement beginneth at the house of God, 1 Peter 4:17. and saints are signes, Ezekiel 24:24.

stood by] Being restrained from devouring it, as Daniel 6:22. God in judgement remembred mercy, and gave this visible evidence of his souls salvation. So Levit. 10. 2, 5.

1 Kings 13:25

in the city, &c.] In Beth-el, v. 11.

1 Kings 13:26

the prophet, &c.] The old prophet, v. 18.

torn] Heb. broken.

torn him, and slain him] By biting him, slew him.

unto him] By my ministery.

1 Kings 13:28

nor torn the asse] Not bit it, nor done any harm to it. When the lion had done what God appointed, it could do no more, not to a carcase, nor to an asse, Job 38:11.

torn] Heb. broken.

1 Kings 13:29

took up] Or the lion, upon the prophets approach, went away; or the prophet, observing how the lion was restrained, took courage, and feared not the lion.

to mouth] So was the custom, for such as they respected, chap. 14. v. 13. To make some recompence for his former wrong, he now performeth all courteous offices.

1 Kings 13:30

own grave] Not the man of God’s fathers sepulchte, vers. 22.

they] The old prophet and his sons.

Alas] The beginning of a sunerall-song.

1 Kings 13:31

in the sepulchre] He believing that whatsoever the man of God had fore-told should be accomplished, thought that the bones of the man of God, if known, might be spared, and therefore appoints his body to be there laid, and a superscription to be engraven on the tomb-stone, to shew whose bones lay there, 2 Kings 23:17.

1 Kings 13:32

houses] See Chap. 13. 21.

Samaria] A mountain. See Chap. 16. 24.

surely come to passe] Heb. being shall be. He believed what was foretold, v. 2, 3.

1 Kings 13:33

this thing] All before set down.

evil way] Idolatrous courses.

made again] Heb. returned and made.

of the lowest of the people] Chap. 12. 31.

would] Offer himself.

consecrated him] Heb. filled his hand, Exodus 28:41. The priests, at their consecration, laid their hands on the sacrifice, and in their hands took some part thereof when it was cut asunder, together with bread and oil: thus were their hands filled, Exodus 29:9-10; Exodus 29:23-24. They also who brought gifts to the LORD, by such a filling of their hands, are said to be consecrated, 1 Chronicles 29:5. and they who executed the LORDS just revenge, Exodus 32:29. Idolaters, in imitation of the LORDS ordinance, were wont to fill their hands with some sacrifice or gift, and thereby thought themselves sufficiently consecrated to their priestly function.

1 Kings 13:34

this thing] Persisting in idolatrous courses.

became sinne] An indelible sin, a sin that could never be removed from his house, no nor from Israel, till they were destroyed. See the Notes on Chap. 12. 30.

to cut it off] As 1 King. 15. 29, 30.