Westminster Annotations, 1 Kings (3 Kings) · Chapter 13
CHAP. XIII.
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.
V. 2. cried] With earnestnesse and boldnesse declared his message, Isai. 58. 1.
against the altar] To astonish the king the more, as Jer. 22. 29.
in the word, &c.] Inventing nothing of himself.
O altar, altar] An elegant and emphaticall expression of his message, as Isai. 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 King. 23. 16.
priests] See the accomplishing of this, 2 King. 23. 20.
V. 3. a signe] To assure them that heard him of the truth of his prophesie, Jer. 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.
V. 4. put forth his hand] In anger, to have apprehended him.
dried up] By the flesh withering, and sinews shrinking.
V. 5. The altar] The event was every way answerable to the threatning.
V. 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 Jon. 1. 6. This in opposition to his own idolls.
the Lord] Heb. the face of the Lord.
V. 7. Come home] Wonders work on the stoutest, and mollifieth them, Exod. 8. 8.
refresh] Heb. strengthen.
V. 8. half thine house] A proverbiall speech, Esth. 5. 3. Mar. 6. 23. like to Num. 22. 18.
in this place] In this city; for he denied, on this ground, to eat in the old prophets house, v. 16.
V. 9. nor turn] As one ashamed, or afraid, or failing of his purpose returns, 2 King. 19. 28.
V. 11. old] In yeers and office, yet not very faithfull, vers. 18.
prophet] Because he assumed that function, as 1 King. 18. 28. and God used his ministery, v. 10. as Num. 23. 5.
in Beth-el] There he had his habitation; but at that time he came from Samaria, 1 King. 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.
V. 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, Num. 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.
V. 14. sitting] For he was weary and hungry, as Christ, Joh. 4. 6.
V. 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.
V. 16. in this place] See v. 8.
V. 17. it was said] Heb. a word was. See v. 9.
V. 18. an angel] For God was wont to declare his minde to men by angels, Num. 22. 35.
lied] This was not the part of a prophet.
V. 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, Gal. 1. 8.
V. 20. the word of the Lord] God can inspire wicked men, and use their ministery, Num. 23. 5. Joh. 11. 51.
V. 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.
V. 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.
V. 23. he] The man of God.
he sadled] The old prophet caused the asse to be sadled.
V. 24. met him] Ordered by the divine providence (v. 26.) as Chap. 20. 36. 2 King. 2. 24.
slew him] Judgement beginneth at the house of God, 1 Pet. 4. 17. and saints are signes, Ezek. 24. 24.
stood by] Being restrained from devouring it, as Dan. 6. 22. God in judgement remembred mercy, and gave this visible evidence of his souls salvation. So Levit. 10. 2, 5.
V. 25. in the city, &c.] In Beth-el, v. 11.
V. 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.
V. 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.
V. 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.
V. 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.
V. 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 King. 23. 17.
V. 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.
V. 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, Exod. 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, Exod. 29. 9, 10, 23, 24. They also who brought gifts to the LORD, by such a filling of their hands, are said to be consecrated, 1 Chron. 29. 5. and they who executed the LORDS just revenge, Exod. 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.
V. 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.