Verse 2
These words are a prophecy against the form of worship set up in the kingdom of Israel. Consider what this kingdom and this worship were, and how this woe came to be uttered by a prophet of God.
I. When Solomon fell into idolatry, he broke what may be called his coronation oath, and at once forfeited God's favour. In consequence a message came from Almighty God revealing what the punishment of his sin would be. He might be considered as having forfeited his kingdom for himself and his posterity. In the reign of his son Rehoboam ten tribes out of twelve revolted from their king. In this they were quite inexcusable. Because the king did not do his duty to them, this was no reason why they should not do their duty to him. Say that he was cruel and rapacious, still they might have safely trusted the miraculous providence of God to have restrained the king by His prophets and to have brought them safely through.
II. That Jeroboam was an instrument in God's hand to chastise Solomon's sin is plain; and there is no difficulty in conceiving how a wicked man, without its being any excuse for him, still may bring about the Divine purposes. God had indeed promised him the kingdom, but He did not require map's crime to fulfil His promise. Jeroboam ought to have waited patiently God's time; this would have been the part of true faith. But he had not patience to wait; he was tried and found wanting.
III. It is not surprising, after such a beginning, that he sinned further and more grievously. His sins in regard to religious worship depended on this principle, that there is no need to attend to the positive laws and the outward forms and ceremonies of religion so long as we attend to the substance. He was but putting another emblem of God in the place of the cherubim. Yet after all his wise counsels and bold plans he has left but his name and title to posterity, "Jeroboam, the son of Nebat, who caused Israel to sin."
J. H. Newman, Parochial and Plain Sermons, vol. III., p. 60.
References: 1 Kings 13:6 . R. Heber, Parish Sermons, vol. ii., p. 92. 1 Kings 13:7 , 1 Kings 13:8 . A. Rowland, Christian World Pulpit, vol. xxix., p. 165. 1 Kings 13:7-15 . Clergyman's Magazine, vol. xiii., p. 23. 1 Kings 13:8 , 1 Kings 13:16 , 1 Kings 13:19 . Ibid., vol. ix., p. 23. 1 Kings 13:18 . J. E. Vaux, Sermon Notes, 3rd series, p. 72.
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