1 Kings 13:1

“And, behold, there came a man of God out of Judah, etc.] Whom Josephus f322 calls Jadon, perhaps the same with Iddo, who is by the Jewish writers f323 generally thought to be this man of God, and which may seem to be countenanced by (<140929>2 Chronicles 9:29) but cannot be, because this man was quickly slain, whereas Iddo lived after Rehoboam, and wrote his acts, first and last, nay, after Ahijah his son, (<141322>2 Chronicles 13:22) and for the same reason Shemaiah cannot be the man of God, (<111222>1 Kings 12:22), though Tertullian f324 calls him Sameas, and designs Shemaiah: but, whoever he was, he came by the word of the Lord to Bethel: that is, by his command: and Jeroboam stood by the…”

“JEROBOAM'S HAND WITHERS. (1Ki. 13:1-22) there came a man of God out of Judah--Who this prophet was cannot be ascertained, He came by divine authority. It could not be either Iddo or Ahijah, for both were alive after the 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 the officiating priest. The altar and its accompaniments would, of course, exhibit all the splendor of a new and gorgeously decorated temple. But the prophet foretold its utter destruction [Kg1 13:3].”

“Rather, “in the word of the Lord.” The meaning seems to be, not merely that the prophet was bid to come, but that he came in the strength and power of God’s word, a divinely inspired messenger. (Compare 1 Kings 13:2, 1 Kings 13:5,1 Kings 13:32.) By the altar - “On the altar;” i, e. on the ledge, or platform, halfway up the altar, whereupon the officiating priest always stood to sacrifice. Compare 1 Kings 12:32 note. return to 'Top of Page'”

“Man of God - An holy prophet. By the word, &c. - By Divine inspiration and command. 3 Kings (1 Kings) 13:2”

“13:1-10 The account of the unnamed man of God who denounced Jeroboam’s false altar at Bethel emphasizes the authority of God’s word. Like Isaiah’s prophecy of Cyrus’s coming (Isa 44:28; 45:1) and Micah’s prophecy about Bethlehem as the Messiah’s birthplace (Mic 5:2), this prophecy gave a distinctive proper name associated with an event long before it happened (2 Kgs 23:15-20). Such prophecies give assurance of God’s sovereignty and omniscience (see Isa 42:9).”

“there came: Kg1 12:22; Kg2 23:17; Ch2 9:29 by the word: Kg1 13:5, Kg1 13:9, Kg1 13:26, Kg1 13:32, Kg1 20:35; Jer 25:3; Th1 4:15 Jeroboam: Kg1 12:32, Kg1 12:33; Ch2 26:18 burn: or, offer, Num 16:40; Jer 11:12, Jer 32:29; Mal 1:11; Rev 8:3 3 Kings (1 Kings) 13:2”

“A prophet out of Judah announces to Jeroboam the eventual overthrow of the idolatrous worship, and attests his divine mission by miraculous signs upon the altar at Bethel and the hardened king ( Kg1 13:1-10); but on the way back he allows himself to be enticed by an old prophet out of Bethel to go into his house, contrary to the express command of the Lord, and while sitting at table with him has to hear from his mouth the divine threat, that on account of his transgression of the command of God he will not come into the sepulchre of his fathers. This threat was fulfilled on his way home; and the marvellous fulfilment made so deep an impression upon the old prophet, that he confirmed the…”