1 Kings 14:8-9 KJV,ASV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Kings 14:7-20

When those that set up idols, and keep them up, go to enquire of the Lord, he determines to answer them, not according to the pretensions of their enquiry, but according to the multitude of their idols, Ezek. 14:4. So Jeroboam is answered here. I. The prophet anticipates the enquiry concerning the child, and foretels the ruin of Jeroboam's house for the wickedness of it. No one else durst have carried such a message: a servant would have smothered it, but his own wife cannot be suspected of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 14:8

And rent the kingdom away from the house of David, and gave it thee ,.... Even ten parts out of twelve: 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 ; who never was guilty of idolatry, but always constantly and cordially attended the pure worship of God, and was careful to do everything in that according to the will of God, whatever else he might be deficient in. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 14:9

But hast done evil above all that were before thee ,.... Not only above David, but above Saul, who never gave into idolatry, yea, even above Solomon, who, though he connived at idolatry, and might be guilty of it in some instances, yet did not attempt to draw his people into it; and if this was the latter end of Jeroboam's reign, which is probable, Rehoboam and Abijam might be both dead; and though they were blameworthy in some things, yet not so bad as Jeroboam; though perhaps this may... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 14:8

And rent the kingdom away from the house of David - That is, permitted it to be rent, because of the folly and insolence of Rehoboam. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 14:1-20

Abijah and Ahijah. Perhaps there is no single section of this book more full of lessons, and lessons of the most varied kind, than this. Let us try to gather something of what God has strawed with so liberal a hand. 1. " At that time ( 1 Kings 14:1 )"—the time of 1 Kings 13:33 . The sickness of the child distinctly connects itself with the father's persistence in sin (see Deuteronomy 7:15 ; Deuteronomy 28:22 , Deuteronomy 28:61 ). The hard and impenitent heart treasures... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 14:1-20

Affliction and judgment. I. THE STRICKEN KING . Abijah seems to have been heir to the throne, and to have been alike the king's and the people's hope. The father's heart was touched: the king saw the dynasty threatened, to establish which he had ventured so much. The voice of God, against which the car was closed, will be heard again in the quietness of the sick chamber, in the silence of death. God follows us through deepening sorrows, if haply we may turn ere we are overwhelmed by... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 14:7-11

Hard Tidings. Such is the character given by the prophet to the matter of the text ( 1 Kings 14:6 ). What we translate "heavy tidings" is, in the Hebrew, as in the margin, hard . The uses of the word ( קשה ) in several places suggest that it should be here taken as indicating retributive judgments merited by one who had hardened his heart in sin. Observe— I. PRIVILEGES INVOLVE RESPONSIBILITIES . Thus— 1 . Special favour calls for special gratitude . (3) ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 14:8

And rent [same word as in the former prophecy of Ahijah, 1 Kings 11:30 , 1 Kings 11:31 ] the kingdom away from the house of David, and gave it thee: and yet thou hast not been as my servant David [who had been proposed to Jeroboam as his example, 1 Kings 11:38 . This name, as that of a prince of the rival house, would now be almost hateful to Jeroboam], who kept my commandments, and who followed me with all his heart [cf. 1 Kings 11:33 , 1 Kings 11:38 ; 1 Kings 15:5 ], to do... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 14:9

But hast done evil above all that were before thee [perhaps preceding kings are not meant, so much as judges— judices et duces Israelis (Le Clerc). Kings, however, are not excluded. Both Saul and Solomon had sinned (1 Samuel passim ; 1 Kings 11:5 , 1 Kings 11:6 ), though neither had set up an organized idolism and "made Israel to sin"]: for thou hast gone and made thee other gods [in defiance of the decalogue ( Exodus 20:4 ). Jeroboam, no doubt, insisted that his calves were... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Kings 14:9

Above all that were before thee - i. e., above all previous rulers of the people, whether Judges or kings. Hereto none of the rulers of Israel had set up the idolatrous worship of ephod, teraphim, and the like Judges 18:17, as a substitute for the true religion, or sought to impose an idolatrous system on the nation. Gideon’s ephod “became a snare” contrary to his intention Judges 8:27. Solomon’s high places were private - built for the use of his wives, and not designed to attract the people.... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Kings 14:7-20

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 14:8

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 14:9

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 14:8

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 14:1-20

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 14:1-20

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 14:7-11

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 14:8

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 14:9

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Kings 14:9

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