Chapter XXIV (continued, part 2)
(15. Tin; People Joyful. C5. from the entering In of Ilainath unto the river of Egypt— i. c, from one extremity of the kingdom to the other. The people flocked from all quarters, seven days and seven days, even fourteen flays—The first seven were occupied witli the dedication, and the other seven devoted to the feast of tabernacles (2 Chronicles 7. 9). The particular form of expression indicates that the fourteen days were not continuous, and that some Interval occurred in conseciuence of the great day of atonement falling on the tenth of the seventh month (v. 2), and the last day of the feast of tabernacles was on the twenty-third (2ChronicIes7. 10), when the people returned to their homes M'ltli feelings of the greatest joy and gratitude " for all the goodness that the
16.2-13; Deuteronomy 4. L'4; Exodus 40. 35) that they could not jeinain. Thus the temple liecame the place where tlie Divine glory was revealed, and the king of Israel established Ills royal residence.
r^2). Solomon's Hi,ES.siNG. 1!J. Then spake Solomon —For the reassurance of the priests and peopI(\ the king reminded Ihein that the cloud, Itislcad being a sign ominous of evil, was a token of approval. The T.ord said— Not In express terms, but by a continuous course of action (Exodus 13.21; 21. 1«; Jfumbers 9.15). l.'l. 1 have surely built thee an house—This Is an aiiostroplic to God, as perceiving His approach by tlie <loud, and welcoming Him to enter as guest or Inhabitant of llii> fixed and permanent dwelling-place, which, at His command, had been prepared for His reception, l*. the klii^ turned his face about—From the temjile, where lie had been watching the movementof the mystic cloud, and while the people were standing, partly as the attiluih! of d(^votion, partly out of respect to royally, the king gave a lervent expression of praise toCJod for the I'ulllmentof His prom-
Lord had done for David His servant, and for Israel His people."
Vor. 1-9. Gon's Covenant in a SECONn Vision with Solomon. 1. And It came to pass, when Solomon had tlnislled the building of the house-This first verse ia oonnect(>d wit h 1 lie <^l(n•enth, all that Is contained between verses 2-10 being parenthetical, a. That (rather, /o;-) the Lord had appeared-This appearance was, like the former one at (ilbeon, most, probably made In a supernatural vision, and on the night Immediately following the dedication of the temple (2 Chronicles 7. V2). The strain of It corresponds to this view, for It consists of direct answers to his solemn Ijiangural prayer (r. 3 is In answer to eh. 8.
ise (2 Samuel 7. O-IO).
22-((l. His PitAVKll. Zt, Solomon stood before the •Itar—This position was in the court of the people, on a 218
29; V. 4, 5 is In answer to ch. 8.25, 20; v. 0-9 to eh. 8.SS-16
JIuitud Presents of Soiomon and Hiram. 1 KINGS X. Tlie Queen of Slieba's Visil to Solonmi,
einployniPiit. 3.3. these were the chief of the ofnceri«-<
Bce also Deuteroaomy 29. 22-24). 8. this Uoiise wJilcIi Is high—"High," either in point of siluatioii, lor it was
(.See ou 2 Chronicles S. 10.)
21-2.S. .Solomon's Yearly S.a.crifice.s. 31, 25. three
DUilt ou a hill, auci therefore conspicuous to every be-
titiies in a year viz., at tiie passover, pentecost, and feast of tabernacles (2 Clironicles 8.13; 31.3). The circumstances mentioned in these two verses form a proper conclusion to tlie record of his buildings, and sliow that his design in erecting those at Jerusalem was to remedy defects existing at the commencement of his reign fsee on ch. 3. 1-4). 26. Exion-geber, which is beside Kloth —These were neighbouring ports at the head of tlie eastern or Elaiiitic brancli of the Ued Sea. Tyrian ship-carpenters and sailors were sent there for Solomon's \essels
holder; or "high" 111 respect to privilege, lionour, and renown; or this "house of llie Most Higli," notwithstfind-
ing all its beauty and magniticeuce, shall be destroyed, and remain in such a state of ruin and degradation as to
be a striking monument of tlie just judgmentof God. Tlie
record of tliis second vision, in wliich were reliearsed the
C< nditions of God's covenant with .Solomon, and the consequences of breaking tliem, is inserted here as a proper introduction to the narrative about to be given of this
king's commercial enterpri.ses and ambitious desire for worldly glory; for this king, by encouraging au inllux of
(see on 2 Chronicles 8). Eaiion-geber— i.e., the giant's backbone; so called from a reef of rocks at the entrance of tlie harbour. Eloth—Elim or Elatli ; i. e., " the trees'" —a grove of terebinths still exists at the head of tlie gulf. 28. Ophir—A general name, like the East or West Indies with us, for all the southern regions lying on the African, Arabian, or Indian seas, so far as at tliat time known. [Heeren.] gold, four hundred and txventy twlents— (See on 2 Chronicles 8. 18)— at 12^5 pouij^is Troy, or 1.5IIC ounces to the talent, and £4 to the ounce, tliis would make £2,604,000.
foreign people, and a taste for foreign luxuries, rapidly corrupted his own mind and tliat of his suljjects, that "they turned from foliiiwing God, they and llieir children" (v. 6).
1IV2.!. The Mutu.^l, Presents of Solomon and Hiram. 10. at the cml of twenty years—.Seven and a lialf years were spent in l)Uilding the temple, and twelve and
a luilf or thirteen in the erection of liis palace (cli. 7. 1;
2 Chronicles 8. 1). This ver.se is only a recapitulation of
tlie first, necessary to rcicover the thread of connection in
the narrative. 11. Solomon gave Hiram twenty cities in the land of Galilee— According to .loseplius, they were situated on tlie nortli-west of it, adjacent to Tyre. Thougli lying witliin the boundaries of the promised land (Genesis 15.18; Joshua 1.4), tliey had never been conquered till then, and were inhabited by Canaanite heathens (Judges 4. '2-13; 2 Kings Li. 29). They were projjably given to Hiram, who.se dominions were small, as a
Ver. 1-13. The Queen of Sheba Admires the Wrsno.M OF Solomon. 1. the queen of Sheba \s to where her country was, some think it was the Saboan kingdom of Yemen, of wliicli the capital was Saba, in Arabia Fe-
lix; others, that it was in African Etliiopia, i, e., Ahyasinia, towards the south of the Red Sea. The opinions preponderate in favour of the former. This view liarmonizes with the language of our Lord, as Yemen means ".South;" and this country, extending to tlie shores of the Indian ocean, might in ancient times be considered "tlio uttermost parts of the earth." heard of the fame of Solomon—Doubtless by the Opliir fleet, cojicernlng the name of the Lord—Meaning either his great Iviiowledge of God, or the extraordinary things wliicli God had done for liim. hard questions—Enigmas or riddles. The Orientals delight in this species of intellectual exercise, and test wisdom by the power and readiness to solve them. 2. she came to Jerusalem with a very great train, with camels — A long train of tliose l>easts of burden forms tlie common way of travelling in Arabia; and the presents specified consist of the native produce of tliat country. Of course, a royal equipage would be larger and more imposing than an ordinary caravan. 6. It was a true report that I heard In mine own land of thy acts and of thy wisdom—The proofs she obtained of Solomon's wisdom—not from his conversation onl.v, but also his works; the splendour of his palace; the economy of his kitchen and table; the order of his court; the gradations and gorgeous costume of his servants: above all, the arched viaduct tliat led from his palace to the temple (2 Kings 16. 18), and the remains of which have been recently discovered [Robinson]—overwhelmed her with astonishment. 9. Blessed be the Lord thy God (See on ch. 5.7.) It is quite possible, as Jewish writers say, that this queen was converted, through Solomon s influence, to the worship of the true God. But there Is no record of her making any gift or oflTering in the temple. 10. she gave the king an hundred and twenty talents of gold—£720,000. 11. almug trees—Parenthetlc-
remuneration for his important services in furnisliing workmen, materials, and an immense quantity of wrought
gold {(,'. 14) for tlie temple and other buildings. [MiCHAELIS.] Tlie gold, however, as otliers think, maj' have been tlie amount of forfeits paid to Solomon by Hiram
for not being able to answer tlie riddles and apothegms, with which, according to Josephus, in their private correspondence, the two sovereigns amused tliemselves. Hiram liaving refused these cities, probably on account of tlieir inland situation making them unsuitalile to his maritime and commercial people, Solomon satisfied his
all.v in some other way; and, taking these cities into his own hands, he first repaired their sliattered walls, then
filled them witli a colony of Hebrews (2 Chronicles 8. 2). 15-24. this Is the reason of the levy—A levy refers both
to men an<l money, and the necessity for Solomon making
It arose from the many gigantic works he undertook to
erect. Mlllo— Part of the fort of Jerusalem on Mount Zlon (2 .Samuel o.'J; 1 Chronicles 11.8), or a row of stone bastions around Mount Zion, Millo being the great corner lower of that fortified wall (ch. 11.27; 2 Chronicles 32.5). the wall of .Temsalem—Either repairing some breaclies In it (cli. 11.27), or extending it so as to enclose Mount Zion. Haior—Fortified on account of its importance as a tflwn in the nortliern boundary of the country. Meglddo—(now Leljun)—Lying 4n the great caravan road between Egypt and Damascus, was tlie key to the nortli of Palestine by tlie western lowlands, and therefore for-
tified. Gezer—On the western confines of Ephraim, and, though a Levitical city, occupied by the Canaanites. Having fallen by right of conquest to the king of Egypt, who for some cause attacked it. It was given by him as a dowry to his dauglitor, and fortified by Solomon. 17. Betli-horon the nether— Situated on the way from Joppa to Jerusalem and Glbeon; It required, from so public a road, to be strongly garrisoned. 18. Baalath Baalbek, Tadmor—Palmyra, between Damascus and the Euphrates, was rebuilt and fortified as a security against invaRion from Northern Asia. In accomplishing the.se and various other works which were carried on throughoat the kingdom, especially in the north, where Rezon of Daraa.scus, his enemy, might prove dangerous, he employed vast numbers of the Canaanites as galley-slaves
all.y, along with the valuable presents of the queen of Sheba, is mentioned a foreign wood, which was brought In the Ophir ships. It Is thought by some to be the sandal wood ; by others, to be the deodar—a species of fragrant
flr, much used In India for sacred and Important works. Solomon used It for stairs In his temple and palace (2 (:;hronicles 9. 11), but chiefly for musical instruments. 13. King Solomon gave unto the queen of Sheba all her desire, whatsoever she asked, besides— i. e., Solomon not only gave his Illustrious guest all the Insight and Information she wanted; but, according to the Oriental fashion, gave her ample remuneration for the present* she had brought.
(3 Chronicles 2. 18), treating them as prisoners of war, wlio were compelled to do the drudgery and hard labour. While the Israellteit were only engaged in honourable
Solomon's Wives and Concubines. 1 KINGS XI. God Threatens Him.
14-29. His Riches. 1*. Now tlie weight of gold that came fo Solomon in one year— t!(!G talents, equal to
was tolerated among theancient Hebrews; and, although in most countries of the East, the generality of men, from convenience and economy, confine themselves to ono woman, yet a number of wives is reckoned as an indication of wealth and importance,.iust as a numerous stud of horses and a grand equipage are amongst us. The sovereign, of course, wishes to have a more numerous harem than any of his subjects; and the female establishments of many Oriental princes have, both in anc'eut and modern times, equalled or exceeded that ofSolomon's.
£3,996.000. The sources whence this was derived are not mentioned; nor was it the full vimount of his revenue; for this was "besides that he had of the merchantmen, and of the trattic of the spice-merchants, and of all the kings of Arabia, and of the governors of the country." The great encouragement he gave to commerce was the means of enriching his royal exchequer. By tlie fortifications which he erected in various parts of liis Icingdom, and particularly at such places as Thapsacus, one of the passages of Euphrates, and at Tadmor, in the Syrian
It is probable, therefore, that, in conformity with Oriental notions, he resorted to it as a piece of state magnifieenee. But in him it was unpardonable, as it was a direct and outrageous violation of the Divine law (Deuteronomy 17.
desert, he gave complete security to the caravan trade from the depredations of the Arab marauders; and it was r,easonable that, in return for this protection, he should exact a certain toll or duty for the importation of
17), and the very result which that statute was ordained to prevent was realized in him. His marriage with tlie daughter of Pharaoh is not censured either here or elsewhere (see on ch. 3. 1). It was only his love for many strange women ; for women, though in the East considered inferiors, exert often a silent but powerfully seductive influence over their husliands in the harems, as elsewhere, and so it was exemplified in Solomon. 3. he had seven Itnndred wives, princesses—They were, probably, according to an existing custom, the daughters of tributary chiefs, given as host.ages for good conduct of their fathers, concubines— Were legitimate, but lower or secondary wives. These the chief or first wife regards without the smallest jealousy or regret, as thej' look up to her with feelings of respectful submission. Solomon's wives became so numerous, not all at once, but gradually; ;is even at an early period his taste for Oriental show seems to have led to the establishment of a considerable harem (Song 6. S). 4. wlien Solomon was old He could not have been more than fifty, his wivea turned nwny liis lieart after other gods—Some, considering the lapse of Solomon into idolatry as a thing incredible, reg.ird him as merely humouring his wives in the practice of their superstition, and, in countenancing their respective rites by his presence, as giving only an outward homage—a sensible worship, in which neither his understanding nor his heart was engaged. The apology only makes matters worse, a.s it implies an adding of hypocrisy and contempt of God to an open breach of His law. There seems no possibility of explaining the language of the sacred historian, but as intimating that .Solomcm became an actual and open idolater, worshipping images of wood or stone in sight of the very temi>le which, in early life, he had erected to the true God. Hence that part of Olivet was called the high place of Tophet (.Jeremiah 7. 30-.'!4), and the hill is still known as the Mount of OU'rnce, or the Mount of (Jorruption (2 Kings
foreign goods. A considerable revenue, too. would arise from the use of the store cities and khans he built ; and
It is not improbable that those cities were emporia, where the caravan merchants unloaded their bales of spices and other commodities, and sold them to the king's fac-
tors, who, according to the modern practice in the East,
retailed them in the Western markets at a profit. "The revenue derived from the tributary kings and fnun the governors of the country" must have consisted in the
tribute which all inferior magistrates periodically bring
to their sovereigns in the East, in the shape of presents of the produce of their respective provinces. 16, 17. two hundred targets, six Imndred shekels—These delcnsive arms were anciently made of wood and covered with
leather; those were covered with tine gold. (iOO shekels were used in the gilding of each target— 300 lor each
shield. They were intended for the state armoury of the palace (see on ch. 14. 26). 18-36. a great throne of Ivory —It seems to have been made not of solid ivory, but veneered. It was in the form of an arm-chair, with a carved bacli. The ascent to it was by six steps, on each
of which stood lions, in place of a railing—while a lion,
probal)ly of gilt metal, stood at each side, which, we may suppose from the analogy of other Oriental thrones, supported a canopy. A golden footstool is mentioned (2 Chronicles 9. 18) as attached to this throne, whose mag-
nificence is described as unrivalled. 33. a navy of Tarshish—Tartessus in Spain, where gold, and especially
silver, was got, anciently, in so great abundance that it was nothing accounted of in the days of .Solomon. Hut Tarshish came to be a general term for the West (Jonah 1). at sea—On the Mediterranean, onec in three years—
i.e., tliird year. Without the mariner's compass they had to coast along the shore. The ivory, apes, anil peacocks might have been purchased, on the outward or homeward voyage, on the north coast of Africa, where the animals were to be found. Tliey were particular-
a!. 13). .'». Ashtoreth (Astarte), Mlleolm (Molech), and Chemosli—He luiilt altars for these three; but, although he is described (i',S)as doing the same for "all his strange wives," there is no evidence that they had idols distinct from thi'se, and there is no trace whatever of Egyptian idolatry. K, burnt ineen«e, and saeriAced unto llieir gods—The first was considered a higher act of homage, and is often vised as synonymous with worship (2 Kmgs
ized, probably as being the rarest articles on board. 86-39.—(See on 2 Chronicles 1. 14-17.)
'Ver. I-S. SoT.OMON's Wives and Concttbinks in His
Ol.I) Af;i!. 1. Unt King Solomon loved mnnysirange women—Solomon's extraordinary gift of wisdom was not sullicient to presi'rve him fnun falling into grievous and fatal errors. A fairer promise of true gn atness, a more beautiful picture of juvenile piety, ncvf^r was seen than that which he exhibited at the commencement of
22. 17 ; 23. 5).
9-13. (ion Thukatens ITim. t>. tlie Lord was hugry with Solotnon—The Divine appearance, first nt Gibeon, and then at Jerusalem, alter the dcilication of the tcmpl(>, with the warnings given him on both occasions, had left Solomon Inexcusable; and it was projier and necessary that on one who had b(>en so signally fa vouied with the
his reign. No sadder, more humiliating, or awlid spec-
gifts of Heaven, but who had grossly abused thi-m, a ter-
tacUi can be imagiiusd than the ))osottcd apostasy of his
old age; anil to Mm maybe applied the words of I'aul (Oalatians ;!. 3), of .John (U(!velation 3. 17), and of Isaiah
rible Judgment shouhl fall. The Dlvlno .sentc^nee was announced to hlin jn'oliably by Aliijah; but there was mercy mingled with judgment, in the circumstance, that
(14. 21). A love of the world, a ceaseless roinid of pleastire, had insensibly corrupted Ills heart, and produced, for a
It shotild not be inflicted on Solomon personally—and that a. remiiitnt of the kingdom should be spared—" for David's sake, and lor .lenisalem's saUe, which had been chosen" toput (lod's name t here ; not f rom a partial bias in favour of either, but that the Divine promise might stand
Willie at least, a slate of m<'iit.al darkness. The grace of Ood descried him; and the son of the pious David—the
rellgioiisly-tralned child of liath-sheba (Proverbs 31. 1-:!), and pupil of Nathan, Instead of showing? the Klal)llily of sound principle and mature experience, bec^anui at last Hn old ami foolish king (Eccleslasles 4. 13). Ills fall is
(2 Samuel 7). 1.1. I «'ill give one tribe to thy hou— There were left to Uehoboam the tribes of Judah, Heiija-
traced to his " lovo of many strange women." I'olygamy 220
iiiin.and Levi (2 Chronicles II. 12, 13); and multitudes of
ANCIENT IMPLEMENTS AND HOUSEHOLD UTENSILS.
Sulumoii's Adversaries. 1 KINGS XII. The Revolt of the Ten Tribes.
Samuel 10. 19-21), for, after God's promise of the perpetual sovereignty to David's posterity, their duty was submission to the authority of the rightful heir; but their object was, when making him king, to renew the conditions and stipulations to which their constitutional kings were subject (1 Samuel 10. 2-5) ; and to the omission of rehearsing which, under the peculiar circumstances in which Solomon was made king, they were disposed to ascribe the absolutism of his government. Shechem—An an-
Israelites, who, after the schism of the kingdom, estab-
lished their residence witliin tlie territory of Jiulah to
enioy the privileges of the true religion (ch. 12. 17). These
are all reckoned as one tribe.
14-40 Solomon's Adversaries. 14. the Lor.l stirred np an «aversarj-—i. e., permitted him, through the im- , pulse of his own ambition, or revenge, to attack Israel.
During the war of extermination, which Joab carried on
In Edom (2 .Samuel 8. 13), this Hadad, of the royal family, amere l)oy when rescued from the sword of the ruthless
cient, venerable, and central town, was the place of convocation; and it is evident, if not from the appointment of that place, at least from the tenor of their language, and the conceited presence of Jeroboam, tliat the people were determined on revolt. 4. Thy lather made onr yoke grievous—The splendour of Solomon's court, and the magnitude of his undertakings being such, that neither the tribute of dependent states, nor the presents of foreign princes, nor the protlts of his commercial enterprises, were adequate to carry them on, he liad been obliged, for obtaining the necessary revenue, to begin a system of heavy taxa tion. The people looked only to the burdens, not to the benefits they derived from Solomon's peaceful and prosperous reign—and the evils from which they demanded deliverance were civil oppressions, not idolatry, to which they appear to have been indifferent or approved of it. 5. he said, Depart yet for tJiree days
conqueror, was carried Into Egypt, hospitably enter-
tained, and became allied with the house of the Egyptian
king. In after years, the thought of his native land and
hl.« lost kingdom taking possession of his mind, he, on
learning tlie death of David and Joab, renounced the
ease, possessions, and glory of his Egj'ptian rpsi<lence, to
return to Edom, and attempt the recovery of his ances-
tral throne. The movements of this prince seem to have given much annoyance to the Hebrew government; but
as they were defeated by the numerous and strong gar-
risons planted throughout the Edomite territory, Hadad seems to have olfered his services to Rezon, another of Solomon's adversaries (v. 28-25). This man, who had been general of Hadadezer, and, on the defeat of that great
king, had successfully withdrawn a large force, went into the wilderness, led a predatory life, like Jephthah, David, and others, on the borders of the Syrian and Arabian
It was prudent to take the people's demand into calm and deliberate consideration. Whether, had the advice of the sage and experienced councillors been followed, any good result would have followed, it is impossible to say. It would at least have removed all pretext for the separation. But he preferred the counsel of his young companions (not in age, for they were all about forty-one, but inexperienced), who recommended prompt and decisive measures to quell the malcontents. 11. -wliips . . . scoi-]i>iong —The latter, as contrasted with the former, are supposed to mean thongs thickly set with sliarp iron jioints, used in the castigation of slaves. 15. tlie king Itearkeiicd not unto tlie people, for tlie caii.se was from tlic LordThat was the overruling cause. Rehoboam's weakness (Eccleslastes 2. 18, 19) and inexperience in public afikirs has given rise to tlie probal)le conjecture, tliat, like many other princes in the East, he had been kept secluded in the harem till the period of his accession (Eccleslastes
deserts, and having acquired great power, at length became king in Damascus, threw off the yoke, and was "the adversary of Israel all the days of Solomon." He was succeeded by Hadad, whose successors took the offi-
cial title of Benhadad from him, the Illustrious founder
of the powerful kingdom of Damascene-Syria. These
hostile neighbours, who had been long kept in check by the traditional fame of David's victories, took courage, and breaking out towards the latter end of Solomoii's
reign, must have not only disturbed his kingdom by their inroads, but greatly crippled his revenue liy stopping his lucrative traffic with Tadmorand the Euphrates. 86-40. Jeroboam—This was an internal enemy of a still more formidable character. He was a young man of talent and energy, who, having been appointed by Solomon superintendent of the engineering works projected around ,7erusalem, had risen into public notice, and on being informed by a very significant act of the prophet
4.14), his fatJier being either afraid of his aspiring to the sovereignty, like the two sons of David, or, which is more probable, afraid of prematurely exposing his imbecility. The king's haughty and violent answer to a people already
Ahijah of the royal destiny which, by Divine appointment, awaited him, his mind took a new turn. 29. clad —Rather wrapped up. The meaning is, "Ahijah, the Shilonite, the prophet, went and took a fit station t;i the way, and, in order that he might not be known, he wrapped himself up, so as closely to conceal himself, in a new garment, a mrlout, which he afterwards tore in twelve pieces." Kotwithstanding this privacy, the story, and the prediction connected with it, probably reached the king's ears, and Jeroboam became a marked man. His aspiring ambition, impatient for the death of Solomon, led him to form plots and conspiracies, in consequence of which he was compelled to flee to Egypt. Though chosen of God, he would not wait the course of God's providence, and therefore Incurred the penalty of death by his criminal rebellion. The heavy exactions and compulsory labour
filled with a sjiirit of discontent and exaspei'ation, iiidicated*feo great an incapacity to appreclufe the gravity of the crisis, so utter a want of coininon sense, as to create a belief that he was struck with judicial blindness. It was received with mingled scorn and derision. The revolt was accomplished, and yet so quietly, t hat llehoboam remained in Shechem, fancying himself the sovereign of a united kingdom, until his chief tax-gatherer, who had been most Imprudently sent to treat with the people, had been stoned to death. This opened his eyes, and he fled for security to Jerusalem.
20-:S. Jeroboam Made King ovKK THE^r. 20. when all Israel heard that Jeroboam was come again—This verse closes the parenthetical narrative begun at verse 2, and verses 21-24 resume the history from verse 1. llehoboam determined to as.sert his autliorlty, by leading a large force into the di-saflected provinces. But the revolt of the ton tribes was completed when the prophet Shemaiah ordered, iu the Lord's name, an abaiidoiuueiit of any hostile measures against the revolutionists. The army, overawed by the Divine prohibition, dispersed, and the king was obliged to submit. 25. .leroboniii built Shechem—Destroyed by Abi'uelech (.Judges 'J. l-i'J). It was rebuilt, and perhaps fortilied, by J<'rolio;uii. as a royal residence, built Penuel— .V ruined city with a tower (Judges 8. 9), east of Jordan, on the north bank of theJabbok. It was .an object of importance to restore this for-
(v. 28) which Solomon latterly imposed upon his subjects, when his foreign resources began to fail, had prepared the greater part of the kingdom for a revolt under so popular a demagogue as Jeroboam. 40. Sliisltak—Who harboured and encouraged the rebellious refugee, was of a different dynasty from the father-in-law of Solomon.
Ver. l-,5. Refusing the Oi-n Men's Coctn.sel. 1. Rehoboain went to .Shechem—He w.as the eldest. If not the only son of Solomon, and had been, doubtless, designated
by his father heir to the throne, as .Solomon had been by David. The inciihait here related took place atTer the funeral obsequies of the late king, and the period for public moftrning had past. When "all Israel csime to make him king," It was not to exercise their old right of election (1
tress, as it lay on the caravan road from Gilead to Damascus and Palmyra, and secure his frontier on tliat quarter, S6. Jeroboam said In his heart, Now shall the kinga
JerohoawLS Sand Wiiheri 1 KINGS Xlir, XIV GocPs Judgments against Jeroboam.
dom return totliehouseofDavUl—Having received the kingdom from God, he should have relied on the Divine protection. But he did not. With a view to withdraw the people irom the temple, and destroy the sacred associations connected with Jerusalem, he made serious and unwarranted innovations on the religious observances of the country, on pretext of saving the people the trouble and expense of a distant journey. First, He erected two golden calves—tl'e young bulls. Apis and Mnevis, as sym-
the people had become apostates from the true religion
and the reason of his not being allowed to return the samn way was lest he should be recognized by any whom he had seen in going. 11. Now there dwelt an old prophet in Beth-el—If this were a true prophet, he was a bad man. 18. an angel spake to me by the word of the Lord—This circuitous mode of speaking, instead of simply saying, "the Lord spake to me," was adopted to hide an equivocation, to conceal a double meaning—an inferior sense given to the word angel—to offer a seemingly superior authority to persuade the prophet, while really the authority was secretly known to the speaker to be infe-
bols, in the Egyptian fashion, of the true God, and the nearest, according to his fancy, to the figures of the cherubim. The one was placed at Dan, in the northern part of his kingdom ; the other at Beth-el, the southern extremity, in sight of Jerusalem, and in which place he probably thought God was as likely to manifest himself as at Jerusalem (Genesis 32. ; 2 Kings 2. 2). The latter place was the most frequented—for the words (d. 30) should be rendered, " the people even to Dan went to worship be-
rior. The "angel;" t. e., messenger, was his own sons, who were worshippers, perhaps priests, at Beth-el ; and as this man was governed by self-interest, and wished to
currj' fa^our with the king, whose purpose to adhere to his religious polity, he feared, might be shaken by the portents that had occurred, his hastening after the
fore the one" (Jeremiah 48. 13; Amos 4.4, 5; 5. 5; Hosea
prop'iiet of Judali, the deception he practised, and the urgent invitation by which, on the ground of a falsehood, he prevailed on the too facile man of God to accompany him back to his house in Beth-el, were to create an impression in the king's mind that he was an impostor, wlio acted in opposition to his own statement. 20-^3. he cried unto the man of God that came from •Tiidalt Rather, " it cried ;" ie., the word of the Lord.
5. 8; 10. 8). This innovation was a sin, both because it was setting up the worship of God by symbols and images, and departing from the place which he had chosen to put his name there. Secondly, He changed the feast of tabernacles from the 15th of the seventh to the 15th of the eighth month. The ostensible reason might be, that the ingathering or harvest was later in the northern parts of the kingdom ; but the real reason was to eradicate the old associations with this, the most welcome and joyous festival of the year. 31. made priests of the lowest of the peo-
2i-.S2. The Disobedient Prophet Slain by a Lion.
iil. a lion met Ittm by the way and slew him—There was a wood near Beth-el Infested with lions (2 Kings 2.
21). This sad cativstrophe was a severe but necessary juiigment of God, to attest the truth of the message with which the prophet had been charged. The whole circumstances of this tragic occurrence—the undevoured carcass —the untouched ass—the unmolested passengers—by the
ple—lit., out of all the people, the Levites refusing to act. He himself assumed to himself the functions of the high
priest, at least, at the great festival, probably from seeing the king of Fjgypt conjoin the royal and sacred oftices, and deeming the office of the high priest too great to be vested in a subject.
lion, tJiough standing there, were calculated to produce an irresistible impression that the hand of God was in it. 31. I>ury ine in tlie sepulchre wlierein the man of God
Is buried—His motive in making this request was cilber that his remains might not be disturbed when the predicted events took place (see on 2 Kings 23. 18), or he had some superstitious hope of being benetlted at the resurrection by being in the same cave with a man of God.
Ver. 1-22. Jeroboam's Hand Witheks. 1. there came n man of God out of Jitdah—Wlio this prophet was cannot be ascertained. He came by Divine autliol'ity.
It could not be either Iddo or Ahijali, for both were alive after tlie events here related. Jeroboam stood by the altar to burn Incense—It was at one of the annual festivals. The king, to give Interest to the new ritual, was himself tlie ofticiatlng priest. The altar and its accompaniments would, of course, exhibit all the splendour of a new and gorgeously decorated temple. But tlie prophet foretold its utter destruction, a. he crlcd%^alnst the altar—W'liicli is put for the wliole system of worsliip organized in Israel. Behold, a child shall be born . . . Joslah by name—This Is one of the most remarkable prophecies recorded in the Scriptures; and. In its clearness, circumstantial minuteness, and exact prediction of an event tliat took place 3fi0 years after it, stands in striking contrast to tlie obscure and ambiguous oracles of the heathen. Being puliUcly uttered, i» must liave been well known to tlie people ; and every Jew who lived at the accomplishment of the event must have been convinced of the truth of a religion connected with such a prophecy as this. A present sign was given of the remote event predicted, ill a visible fissure being niliaonlously made on the altar. Inctcnsed at the man's license of speech, Jeroboam stretched out his hand and ordi'i-ed his attendants tosel/,e the bold intruder; that moment the king's arm became stiir an<I motionless, and the altar split asunder, BO that the tire and ashes fell on the floor. Overawed by the effects of his impiety, Jeroboam besought the prophet's prayer. Ills request was acceded to, aiul the hand was restored to Its healthy state. Jeroboam was artfjl, and Invited (he prophet to the royal table, not to do lilm honour, or show his gratitude for the restoration of h'.n hand, but to win, by his courtesy and liberal hospitality, a person wliorii Ihm'ouUI not crush by his power. Hnl the prophet Informed him of a Divine Injunction expressly prohibiting lilin from all social Intercourse with an.v In the place, as well as from returning the same wa.v. The proliU^tlon not to eat or drink In I!elh-el was because all
Ver. 1-20. Ahijah Denounces God's Judgments against Jeroboam. 1. At that time—A phrase use<l often loosely and Indefinitely In sacred history. This domestic incident In the family of Jeroboam probably occurred towards the end of his reign; his son Ahijah was of age, and considered by the people tne heir to the throne.
'Z. Jeroltonm snlfl to his wife, Arise, I pray thee, and disguise tliyself—His natural and Intense anxiety as a
parent is here seen, blended with the deep and artful policy of an apostate king. The reason of his extreino caution was an unwillingness to acknowledge that he looked for information as to the future, not to his idols, but to the true God, and a fear that this step, if publicly known, might endanger the stability of his whole politi-
cal system; and a strong Impression that Ahijah, who was greatly oll'ended with him, would. If (consulted openly by his (jueeu, either Insult or refuse to receive her. For
tlie.se reasons he selected his wile, as, In every view, the most proper for such a secret and confidential errand, but recommended her to assume the garb and manner of a peasant woman. Strange Infatuation, to sujipose that the God who could reveal ftiturlty could not peiu-trate a flimsy disguise! 3. And take with tliee ten lonves, and cracknels, and a cruso of honey, and go io Itim—This was a present in unison with the peasant character she assumed. (Cracknels are a kind of sweet seed-cake. The prophet was blind, but having received Divine premonition of the pretended countrywoman's coming, he addressed lu'r the moment she apiieared as the (lueen, ap-
prised her of the calamities which. In consequence of ilie Ingratitude of Jeroboam, his ajiostasy, and outrageoun mlsgoveniment of Israel, Impended over tlielr house, as well as over the nation which too readily followed Uli
TEMPLE OF IPSAMDUL.
Rehohoam s Wicked Reign. 1 KINGS XV. Asa's Good Rctgn,
Idolatrous Innovations. 8. thou hast not l>ecn as my
so called and comprehended In the sacred canon, but the
nat ional andii ves of Judah. 30. th« i r was war between lielioboam antl Jtroboi«in—Tlif I'oriiier was prohibited from entering on an aggri'ssivc war; Imt as tlie two king* doms kept up a jealous riviilry, lie might be forced into vigilant measures of defence, and I'lcquenl skirmlshea would take place on the borders.
gervKikt David—Who, though he fell into grievous sins,
repented, and always maintained tlie pure worship of God
as enjoined by tlie law. 10. I will bring evil iipoii the house of Jeroboam—Strong expressions are here used to Indicate the utter extirpation of hishou.se; "liiin that is shut up and left in Israel," means those who were concealed with the greatest privacy, as the heirs of royalty often are where polygamy prevails; the other phrase, from the loose garments of the East having led toadilf'er-
Ver. 1-8. Abijam's Wicked Reign over Judah. 1. Abljam—His name was at first Abijah (2 Chronicles 12. 16); "Jah," the name of God, according to an ancient fashion, being conjoined with it. But afterwards, when he was found "walking In all the sins of his father," that honourable addition was withdrawn, and his name in sacred history changed into Abijam. [Lightfoot.] 3. Tliree years reigned he—(cf. v. 1 with v. 9). Parts of years are counted in Scripture as whole years. The reign began In Jeroboam's eighteenth year, continued till the nineteenth, and ended in the course of the twentietli. liis mother's name was Maachah—or Michaiali (2 Chronicles 13. 2), probably altered from the one to the other on her l)ecoming queen, as was very common under a change of circumstances. She is called the daughter of Abislialom, or Absalom (2 Chronicles 11. 21), or Uriel (2 Chronicles 13. 2). Hence, it has been thought probable that Tamar, the daughter of Absalom (2 Samuel 14. 27; 18. 18), had been married to Uriel, and tliat Maachah was their daughter. 3. his Iieart was not perfect with tlie Lord ... as the lieart of David his father—<cf. ch. 11. 4 ; 14. 22). He was not positivelj' bad at first, for it appears {v. 1.5) that he had done something to restore the pillaged treasures of the temple. This phrase contains a comparative reference to David's heart. His doing that which was right iu the eyes of the Lord (v. 5) is frequently used in speaking of tho kings of Judah, and means only that they did or did not do that which, in the general course and tendency of their government, was acceptable to God. It furnislies no evidence as to the lawfulness or piety of one speeifit act. 4. for David's sake did the Lord . . . give l»im a lamp— "A lamp" in one's house is an Oriental plu-ase for continuance of family name and prosperity. Abijam was not rejected only inconsequence of the Divine promise to David (see on ch. 11. 13-36).
eiit practice from what prevails In the West, cannot refer
to men ; It must signify either a very young boy, or
rather, perhaps, a dog, so entire would be the destruction of Jeroboam's house that none, not even a dog, belonging to it should escape. This peculiar phrase occurs only in regard to the threatened extermination of a family (1 Samuel 2.3. 22-31). See the manner of extermination (ch.
16. 4; 21. 24). 13. the child shall die—The death, and general lamentation felt through the country at the loss of the prince were also predicted. The reason of the profound regret shown at his death arose, according to Jewish writers, from his being decidedly opposed to the erection of the golden calves, and using his influence with
tiis father to allow his subjects the free privilege of going
'o worship in Joru.salem. 13. all Israel shall mourn for him, and bury him—The only one of Jeroboam's family who should receive the rites of sepulture. 14. the Lord shall raise him up a king . . . but what T even now—viz., Baasha (ch. 15. 27); lie was already raised —he was in being, though not In power. 17. Tirzah— place of pre-eminent beauty (Song 6. 4), three hours' travelling east of Samaria, chosen when Israel became a separate kingdom, by the first monarch, and used during three sliort reigns as a residence of the royal liouse. The
fertile plains and wooded hills in that part of the territory of Ephralm gave an opening to the formation of parks and pleasure-grounds similar to those which were the "paradises" of Assyrian and Persian monarchs. [Stanley.] Its site Is occupied by the large village of Taltise. [Robinson.] As soon as the queen reached the gate of the palace, she received the intelligence that her son was dying, according to the prophet's prediction. 19. The lest of the acts of .Teroboam—None of the threatenings deno inced against this family produced any change in
his policy or government.
9-22. Asa's Good Reign, his mother's name was Maachali—She was properly his grandmother, and she is here called " the king's mother," from tlie post of dignity which at the beginning of his reign she possessed. Asa, as a constitutional monarch, acted like the pious David, labouring to abolish the traces and polluting practices of idolatry, and in pursuance of his impartial conduct, lie did not spare delinquents even of the higliest rank. 13. also Maachali his mother, her he removed from being queen—The sultana,or queen-dowager,was not necessarily the king's natural mother (see ch. 2. 19), nor was JIaachah. Her title, and the privileges connected witli that honour and dignity which gave her precedency among tlie ladies of the royal family, and great influience in the kingdom, were taken away. She was degraded for her idolatry, because she liad made an Idol in a grove—A very obscene figure, and the grove was devoted to the gro.ssest licentiousness. His plans of religious reformation, liowever, were not completely carried througli, "the high places were not removed " (see on ch. 3. 2). Tlie suppression of this private worship on natural or artificial lillls, though a forbidden service, after the toinple liad been declared the exclusive place of worship, tlie most pioui king's laws were notable toaccomplisli. I.'}, he brought In the things which Ills fatlier had dedlcnled—Probably the spoils which Abijam had taken from the vanquished army of Jeroboam (see on 2 (Jhronlclcs 1-3. 16) and the things which himself had dedicated—After hit own victory over the Cushites (2 Chronicles 11.12). 10, titere was war between Asa and Baasha king of Israel all their days—Asa enjoyed a ten years' peace alter ,Ieroboam's defeat by Abijam, and this Interval was wisely and energetically spent In making internal reforms, ao
21-24, Rehoboam's Wicked Reign. 21. he reigned in Jerusalem—Its particular designation as "the city which
tlie Lord did choose out of all the tribes of Israel, to put His name there," seems given here, both as a reflection on the apostasy of the ten tribes, and as a proof of the aggravated wickedness of intro<lucing idolatry and its attendant vices there, his mother's name was Naamah, an Ammonltcss—Her heathen extractlcm and her influence as queen-mother are stated to account for Rehoboam's tendency to depart from the true religion. Led by the warning of the prophet (ch. 12. 23), as well a.s by the large Immigration of Israelites Into his kingdom (ch. 12.17; 2 Chronicles ll. 16), he continued for the first three years of his reign a faithful patron of true religion (2 Chronicles U.
17). But afterwards he began and carried a general apostasy ; idolatry became the prevailing form of worship, and the religious state of the kingdom in his reign isdescribed by the high places, the Idolatrous statues, the groves and Impure rites that with unchecked license were observed In them. The description Is suited to the character of the Canaanitish worship.
i'>-3l. Shishak Spoils Jerusalem. Sir, 20. Shishak, king of Kgypt, came up—He was the Instrument in the hand of Providence for punishing the national defection. Rven although this king had been Solomon's father-inlaw, he was no relation of Rehoboam's ; but there Is a •trong probability that he belonged to another dynasty (see on 2 Chronicles 12). He was the Sheshonk of the Egyptian monuments, who Is depicted on a bas-relief at Karnak, as dragging captives, wlio, from their peculiar physiognomy, are universally admitted to be Jews. 30. now the rest of the acts of Rehoboam, arc they not written in the book of the Chronicles ?—Not the book
Tehu's Prophecy against Baasha. 1 KINGS XVI. Omri Builds Saviaj-^ia
third year of his reign (see on cli. »5. 2), and Elah, who was a prince of dissolute habits, reigned not fully two y< ars.
well as increasing the means of national defence (2Clu on-
Icles 14. 1-7). In the fifteentli year of his reign, however, the king of Israel commenced liostilities against him, and, invading his kingdom, erected a strong fortres.s at Ramali, which was near Gibeah, and only six Roman miles from Jerusalem. Afraid lest liis subjects might quit his kingdom, and return to the worsliip of tlieir
9-22. ZiMKi's Conspiracy. 9. Zimrl . . . conspired against him—During a carousal in the house of his chamberlain, Zimri slew him, and having seized tlie sovereignty, endeavoured to consolidate his throne by the massacre of ail the royal race. 15. Zimri reigned seven days—The news of his conspiracy soon spread, and the
fatliers, he wished to cut off all intercourse between tlie two nations. Ramali stood on an eminence overhanging a narrow ravine which separated Israel from Judali, and therefore he took up a hostile position in that place. 1830. Tlieu Asa took all tUe silver and tlie gold tliat were left in tlie . . . Koiise of the Lord—Asa's religious character is now seen to decline. He trusted not in tlie Lord (2 Chronicles IG. 7). In this emei'geucy Asa solicited the powerful aid of the king of Damascene-Syria; and to bribe him to break off liis alliance witli Baasha, he transmitted to him the treasure lying in the temple and palace. The Syrian mercenaries were gained. Instances are to be found both in tlie ancient and modern history of the East, of the violation of treaties equally sudden and unscrupulous, through the presentation of some tempting bribe. Ben-hadad poured an army into the northern provinces of Israel, and having captured some cities in Galilee, on the borders of Syria, compelled Baasha to withdraw from Ramah back within liis own territories. 18. Beii-liadad —(see on cll. 11, 24.) Tlien Asa made a proclamation —Tlie fortifications which Baasha had erected at Ramali were demolished, and with the materials were built otiier defences, where Asa thought tliey were needed—at Geba (now Jeba) and Jlizpeli (now Neby Samuil)—about two hours' travelling north of Jerusalem. 23. in the time of Uls old age lie was diseased in Uis feet—(see on 2 Chron-
army having proclaimed their general, Omri, king, that officer immediately raised the siege at Gibbethon, and marched directly against tihe capital in which the usurper had established liimself. Zimri soon saw that he was not in circumstances to hold out against the whole forces of tlie kingdom; so, shutting himself up in tlie palace, he set it on tire, and, like Sardanapalus, chose to perish him-
self, and reduce all to ruin, rather than that the palace and royal treasures sliould fall into tlie hands of his successful rival. The seven days' reign may refer either to the brief duration of his royal autliority, or the period in which he enjoyed unmolested tranquillity in the palace. 19. For Ills sins ivliich he sinned—This violent cud was a just retribution for his crimes. "His walking in tlie ways of Jeroboam" might have been manifested either by the previous course of his life, or by his decrees publislied on his ascension, when he made a strong effort to gain popularity by announcing his continued support of
tlie calf-worship. 31,33. Tlien were the people divided into two parts—The factions tliat ensued occasioned a four years' duration (cf. v. 15 with v. 23), of anarchy or civil war. Whatever might be the public opinion of Omri's merits, a large body of the people disapproved of the mode of his election, and declared forTibni. Tliearmy, however, as usual in sucli circumstances (and they had the will of Providence favouring them), prevailed over all opposition, and Omri became undisputed possessor of the throne. Tlbnl died—Tiie Heb. does not enable us to determine whether his death was violent or natural.
icles 10. 10-12), where an additional proof is given of his religious degeneracy.
25-34. Nadab's Wicked Reign. 35. Nadab the son ofJeroboam began to reign—No record is given of him, except liis close adherence to tlie bad policy of his father. 87. Baaslia smote him at Gibbethon—This town, witliiii the tribe of Dan, was given to the Levites (Joshua 19. 44).
2:i-28. Omri Builds Samaria. 33. In the thirty and
tirst year of Asa . . . began Omri to reign—The twelve years of his reign are computed from the beginning of Ills reign, which was in tlie twenty-seventh year of Asa's reign. He held a contested reign for four years with Tibni; and tlien, at the date stated in tills verfse, entere<l on a sole and peaceful reign of eight years. 34. he bought the hill Samaria of Shemer—The palace of Tirzah Iwing in ruins, Omri, in selecting the site of his royal residence, was naturally influenced by considerations bot h of pleasure and advantage. In the centre of a wide ampliitlieatre of mountains, aiiout six miles from Shecliem, rises an oblong hill with steep, yet accessible sides, an<l a long flat top extending east and west, and rising 500 or GOO feet above
It lay on the Philistine borders, and having been seized by that people, Nadab laid siege to recover it. 39. wlien he reigned, he smote all the house of .leroboam—It was according to a liarbarous practice too common in the East,
for a usurper to extirpate all rival candidates for the throne; but it was an accomplislimentof Ahijah's prophecy concerning Jeroboam (cli. 14. 10, 11).
"Ver. 1-8. Jehu's Prophecy again.st Baasha. 1. Then the word of tlie I^ord came to .Tehn—This is the only incident recorded in the life of tliis prophet. His fatlier was also a ptopliet (2 Chronicles IG. 7). 3. Forasmuch as I exalted thee—Tlie doom lie pronounced on Baaslia was exactly the same a.s denounced against Jeroboam and his posterity. Though he had waded through slaughter to Ills throne, ho owed his elevation to the appointment or permission of Illm "by whom kings reign." over my people Israel—With all their errors and lapses into Idolatry, they were not wli(»lly abandoned by God. He still sliowed His Interest in them by sending prophets and working miracles in their favour, and possessed a multitude" of faithful worsliippers in the kingdom of Israel. 7. also by the liand of the prophet Jehu—This is not another prophecy, but merely an addition by the sacred historian, explan.atory of the death of Baasha and the extinction of his fuinily. The doom pronounced against Jeroboam (cli.
tiie valley. What Omri in all probability built as a mere palatial residence, became the capital of the kingdom Instead of Shechem. It was as though Versailles had taken the place of Paris, or Windsor of London. Tlie choice of Omri was admirable, in selecting a position which combined in a union not elsewhere found in Palestine strength, beaut,v, and fertility. [Stanley.] tw« talents of silver—£G84. Shemer li*d, probably, made it a condition of tlie sale, that the name should bo retained. But as city and palace were built there by Omri, it was in accordance with Eastern custom to call it after the founder. The Assyrians did so, and on a tablet dug out of the ruins of Nineveh, an inscription was found relating to Samaria, whleli is called Beth-klmmri—the liouse of Omri. [Layaud.1 (See on 2 Kings 17. 5.) 35-37. But Omri wrought evil—The character of Omri's reign and his death are described in the stereotyped form used towards
all the successors of Jeroboam In respect both to policy as well as time. 39-33. Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the siglit of the Iionl above nil that were before him—Tlio worship of God by symbols had liillierlo been the oll'enslve form of apostasy In Israel, but now gross idolatry Is openly patronized by the court. This was done through the Influence of Jezebel, Allah's ([iieen. She was "the daughter of lOtli-baal, king of the /Idoiilnus." He was priest of Aslitaroth or Astarte, who, having murdered Phlletes, king of Tyre, ascended the throne of that
14. 0), did not entitle hirn to take the execution of the sentence into his own liands ; but from his following the same calfworship, he had evidently plotted the conspiracy and murder of that king in furllierance of Ills own ambitious designs, and lience, in his own assassina-
tion, lie met tlu^just reward of Ills deeds. The similitude
to Jeroboam extends to their deatlis as well as their lives -the relgii of their sons, and the ruin of their families. 8. began IClahllie son of Baasha to reign—(cf. ch. iri. %(). Krom this It will appear that Baasha died In the twenly-
Elijah Sent to Cherith, 1 KINGS xvir, XVIII. He Raises the Widow's Son to Life,
6. the ravens brought him bread—The Wea of sucli unclean and voracious birds being employed to feed the prophet has appeared to many so strange, that they liave laboured to make out the Ocettwi, which iu our version has been rendered ravens, to be, as the word is used (Ezekiel 27. 27), merchants or Arabians (2 C'lironicles 21.
kingdom, being the eighth king since Hiram. Jezebel was the worthy daughter of this regicide and Idol priest —and, on her marriage with Ahab, never rested till she had got all the forms of her native Tyrian worslilp introduced into her adopted countrj'. 3^. reared up an altar for Baal—J. e., the sun, worshipped under various images. Ahab set up one (2 Kings 3. 2), probably as the Tyrian Her-
16; Nehemiah 4. 7), or the citizens of Arabah, near Bethshan (Joshua 15. 6; 18. 18). But the common rendering
cules, in the temple in Samaria. No human sacrifices were offered—the Are was kept constantly burning—the
(ch. 18. 19) is. In our opinion, preferable to these conjectures; and, if Elijah was miraculously fed by ravens, it is Idle to Inquire where they found the bread and the flesh,
priests officiated barefoot—dancing and kissing the Image
(ch. 19. 18) were among the principal rites.
34. Joshua's Cukse Fulfilled Upon Hiel thk Builder of Jericho. 34. In lils days did Hlel the Beth>ellte buUd Jerlctoo—(see on Joshua 6. 26). The curse took efl'ect on the family of this reckless man; but whether his eldest son died at the time of laying the foundation, and the youngest at the completion of the work, or whether hp lost all his sons in rapid succession,
for God would direct them. After the lapse of a year, the brook dried up, and this was a new trial to Elijah's faith,
8-16. He is Sent to a Widow of Zarei'hath. 8. the word of the liord came to him—Zarephath or Sarepta, now Surafend, whither he was directed to go, was far away on the western coast of Palestine, about nine miles south of Sidon, and within the dominions of Jezebel's impious father, where the famine also prevailed. Meeting, at his entrance Into the town, the very woman who was appointed by Divine providence to support him, his faith was severely tested by learning from her that her supplies were exhausted, and that she was preparing her last meal for herself and son. The Spirit of God having prompted him to ask, and her to grant, some necessary succour, she received a prophet's reward (Matthew 10. 41, 42), and for the one meal afforded to him, God, by a miraculous increase of the little stock, afforded many to her.
till, at the end of the undertaking, he found himself
childless, the poetical form of the ban does not enable us to determine. Some modern commentators think thei'e
is uo reference either to the natural or violent deaths of Kiel's sons; but that he began in presence of his eldest son, but some unexpected difficulties, losses, or obstacles, delayed the completion till his old age, when the gates were set up in the presence of his youngest son. But the curse was fulfilled more than 500 years after it was uttered
and from Jericho being Inhabited after Joshua's time (Judges 3. 13; 2 Samuel 10. 5), It has been supposed that the act against which the curse was directed, was an attempt at the restoration of the walls—the very walls which had been miraculously cast down. It seems to have lain within the territory of Israel; and the unresisted act of Hlel affords a painful evidence how far the people of Israel had lost all knowledge of, or respect for, the word of God.
17-24. He Raises hek Son to Life. 17. the son of the woman, the mistress of the house, fell sick—A severe domestic calamity seems to have led her to think that, aa God had shut up heaven upon a sinful land in consequence of the prophet, she was suffering on a similar account. Without answering her bitter upbraiding, tlie prophet takes the child, lays it on his bed, and after a very earnest prayer, had the happiness of seeing Its restoration, and along witli It, gladness to the widow's heart and home. The prophet was sent to this widow, not merely for his own security, but on account of her faith, to strengthen and promote which he was directed to go to her rather than to many widows in Israel, who would have eagerly received him on the same privileged terms of exception from the grinding famine. The relief of her bodily necessities became the preparatory means of supplying her spiritual wants, and bringing her and her son, through the teachings of the prophet, to a clear know-- ledge of God, and a firm faith In His word (Luke 4. 25).
fer. 1-7. Elijah, Prophesying against Ahab, is Sent ro Cherith. 1. EHJahtheTishblte—This prophet
Is Introduced as abruptly as Melchisedek— his birth, parents, and call to the prophetic office being alike unretorded. He is supposed to be called the Tishbite from Tisbeh, a place east of Jordan, who was of the Inhabitants—Or residents of Gilead, implying that he was not an Israelite, but an Ishmaelite, as Michaelis conjectures, for there were many of that race on the confines of Gilead, The employment of a Gentile as an extraordinary minister might be to rebuke and shame the apostate people of IsraeL said unto Ahab—The prophet appears to have been warning this apostate king how fatal both to himself and people would be the reckless course he was pursuing, and the failure of Elijah's efforts to make an Impression on the obstinate heart of Ahab is shown by the penal prediction uttered at parting, before whom I stand—t. e., whom I serve (Deuteronomy 18. 5). there hall not be dew nor rain these years—Not absolutely
CHAPTEE XVIII.
Ver. 1-16. Elijah Meets Obadjah. 1. the third ye«ri —In the New Testament, It is said there was no rain " for the space of three years and six months." The early rain
fell In our March, the latter rain in our October. Though Ahab might have at first ridiculed Elijah's announcement, yet when neither of these rains fell in their season, he was Incensed against the prophet as the
cauife of the national Judgment, and compelled him,i with God's direction, to consult his safety ill flight. This was six months after the king wa.s told ,there would be neither dew nor rain, and from this period the three years in this passage are computed. Go, show thyself nnto Ahab—The king had remained obdurate and unreformed. Another opportunity was to be given him of repentance, and Elijah was sent In order to declare to hllu the cause of the national judgment, and to promise him, on condition of his removing It, the immediate blessing of rain. 9. Elijah went—A marvellous proof of the nat^
bat the dew and the rain should not fall in the usual and necessary quantities. Such a suspension of moisture was sufficient to answer the corrective purposes of God, whilst an absolute drought must have converted the whole country Into an uninhabitable waste, but according to my word—Not uttered In spite, vengeance, or caprice, but as the minister of God. The Impending calamity was In answer to his earnest prayer, and a chastisement intended for the spiritual revival of Israel. Drought was the threatened punishment of national idolatry (Deuteronoiry 11. 16, 17; 28. 23). a, 3. the word of the Lord came nnto him, saying, Get thee hence, and turn thee eastward, &c—At first the king may have spurned the prediction as the utterance of a vain enthusiast; but when he found the drought last, and increase in severity, he sought Elijah, who, as It was necessary that he should be tar removed from either the violence or the Importunities of the king, was divinely directed to repair to a place of retreat, perhaps a cave on "the brook Cherith, that Is, be/ore," i. e., east of Jordan. Tradition points it out In a Nmall winter torrent, a little below the ford at Beth-sban.
.ural Intrepidity of this prophet, of his xnoral courage, and
his unfaltering confidence In the protecting care of God, that he ventured to approach the presence of the raging
lion, there was asore famine In Samaria—Elijah found that the famine was pressing with irttense severity in tho
capital. Corn must have been obtained for the peoplo from Egypt or the adjoining countries, else life could not have been sustained for three years; but Ahab, with the chamberlain of his royal household, is represented as giving a personal search for i^stAJBe to his cattle. Ou 225
The Trial on Mount Carmd. 1 KINGS XVIII. Elijah, by Prayer, Ohtains Rain.
weight, but by a visible token from Heaven. As fire wai the element over which Baal was supposed to preside, he proposed that two bullocks sliould be slain, and placed on separate altars of woo<l, tlie one for Baal, and the other for God, and on whichever the lire should descepd to consume it, the event sliould determine the true God, whom it was their duty to serve. The proposal, appearing every way reasonable, was received by the people with unanimous approval. The priests of Baal commenced tlie ceremony by calling on their god. In vain did they continue invoking their senseless deity from morning till noon, and from noon till evening, uttering the most piercing cries, using the most frantic gesticula-
the banks of the rivulets, grass, tender shoots of grass, might naturally be expected ; but the water being dried up, tlie verdure would disappear. In the pastoral dis-
tricts of the East it would be reclioned a most suitable occupation still for a king or chief to go at the head of puch an expedition. Ranging over a large tract of coun-
try, Ahab had gone through one district, Obadiah through another. 3. Obadiah feared the Lord greatly—Althougii he did not follow the course taken by the Levites and the majority of pious Israelites at that time of emigration Into Judah (2 Chronicles 11. 13-16), he was a secret and sin-
cere worshipper. He probably considered the violent character of the government, and his power of doing some good to the persecuted people of God as a sufficient excuse
tions, and mingling their blood with the siicrifice—no response was heard—no fire descended. Elijah exposed their folly and Imposture with the severest irony ; and, as the day was far advanced, commenced his operations. Inviting the people to approach and see the entire proceeding, he first repaired an old altar of God, wliicli Jezebel had demolished—then, having arranged the cut pieces of the bullock, he caused four barrels or jars of water to be daslied ail over the altar and round in the trench. Once, twice, a third time this precaution was taken, and then, when he had offered an earnest prayer, the miraculous fire descended (Leviticus 9. 24 ; Judges 6.21; 13.20;
for his not going to worship in Jerusalem. 4. an Itiindred prophets—Not men endowed with the extraordinary gifts of the prophetic office, but who were devoted to the service of God, preaching, praying, praising, &c.
(I Samuel 10. 10-12). fed them with bread and water These articles are often used to include sustenance of any kind. As this succour must have been given them at the hazard, not only of his place, but his life, it was a strong proof of his attachment to the true religion. 7-16. as Obadiah wag In the way . . . Elijah met htm—Deeming it imprudent to rush without previous intimation Into Ahab's presence, the prophet solicited Obadiah to announce his return to Ahab. The commission, with a delicate allusion to the perils he had already encountered In securing others of God's servants, was, in very touching terms, declined, as unkind and peculiarly hazardous. But Elijah having dispelled all the apprehensions entertained about the Spirit's carrying him away, Obadiah undertook to convey the prophet's message to Ahab, and
1 Chronicles 21. 26; 2 Chronicles 7. 1), and consumed not only the sacrifice, but the very stones of the altar. The impression on the minds of the people was tliat of admiration mingled withawe; and with onevoice they acknowledged the supremacy of Jehovah as the true God. Taking advantage of their excited feelings, Elijah called on them to seize the priestly impostors, and by tlieir blood fill the channel of the river (Kishou), wliich, in consequence of their idolatries, the drought had dried up—a direction, which, severe and relentless as it seems, it was his duty as God's minister to give (Deuteronomy 15. 5; 18. 20). The natural features of the mount exactly correspond with the details of this narrative. The con.splcuous summit,
solicit an interview. But Ahab, bent on revenge, or impatient for the appearance of rain, went himself to meet Elijah. 17, 18. Art tliou he that troubleth Israel—
violen* altercation took place. Ahab thought to awe him into submission, but the prophet boldly and undisgulsedly told the king that the national calamity was traceable chiefly to his own and his family's patronage and practice of Idolatry. But, while rebuking the sins, Elijah paid all due respect to the high rank of tlie offender, and urged the king to convene, by virtue of his royal mandate, a public assembly. In whose presence it might be solemnly decided which was the troubler of Israel. The appeal could not well be resisted, and Ahab, from whatever motives, consented to the proposal. God directed and overruled the issue. 19. Ahab gathered the prophets of Baal . . . the prophets of the groves—From the sequel it appears that the former only came. Tlie latter, anticipating some evil, evaded tlie King's command. Uiey did eat at Jezebel's table—f. e., not at the
16.35 feet above the sea, on which tlie altars were placed, presents an esplanade spacious enougli for the king and the priests of Baal to stand on the one side, and Elijah on the other. It is a rocky soil, on which there la abundance of loose stones, to furnish tlie twelve stones of which the altar was bullt--a bed of thick earth, in which a trench could be dug; and yet the earth not so loose that the water poured Into It would be absorbed; 250 feet beneath the altar plateau, there is a perennial fountain, which, being close to the altar of the Lord, might not have been accessible to the people, and whence, there-
fore, even In that season of severe drought, Elijah could procure those copious supplies of water which he poured over the altar. The distance between this spring and the siteof the altar is so short, as to make it perfectly possible to go thrice thither and back again, whereas it must have been impossible mice In an afternoon to fetch water from the sea. [Van be Velde.] The summit is 1000 feet above the Kishon, which nowhere runs from the sea so close to the base of the mount as just beneath El-Mohhraka; so that the priests of Baal could, In a few minutes, be taken down "to the brook (torrent), and slain there."
roj'al table where herself dined, but were maintained from her kttchen establishment (see on 1 Samuel 20. 21; eh. 4. 22). They were the priests of Astarte, tlie Zldonian goddess. 20. Mount Cnrmel—Is a bold, bluff promontory, which extends from the western coast of Palestine, at tlie bay of Acre, for many miles eastward, to tlie central hills of Samaria. It is a long range, presenting many summits, and Intersected by a number of small ravines. 5"he spot where the contest took place is situated at the eastern extremity, which is also the hlgliest point of the whole ridge. It Is called El-Mohhraka, "the Burning," or " the Burnt Place." No spot couid liave been lietter adapted for the thousands of Israel to have stood drawn up on those gentle slopes. The rock shoots up In an almost perpendicular wall of more than 200 feet in height, on the side of the vale of Esdraelon. This wall made It visible over the whole plain, and from all the surrounding heights, where gazing multitudes would be stationed. 81-40. Klijah gald to the people, How long halt ye 1 They liad long been attempting to conjoin the service of <}od wltli tbait of Baal. It was an lmpractlcal>Ie union; and ttie people were so struck with a sense of tlieir own folly, or dread of the king's displeasure, that they " ann-vered not a word." Elijah proposed to decide for them the controversy between God and Baal by an appeal, Qot to the authority of the law, for that would have no