1 Kings 14:13 And all Israel shall mourn for him, and bury him: for he only of Jeroboam shall come to the grave… I. We have here a BEAUTIFUL DESCRIPTION OF RELIGION. It is "some good thing in the heart toward the Lord God of Israel." Religion is "some good thing in the heart" (not merely towards our fellow-man, but) "towards the Lord God of Israel." II. GENUINE PIETY MAY EXIST UNDER VERY UNFAVOURABLE CIRCUMSTANCES. Men need not say, their surroundings in life are sufficient excuse for their ungodliness. III. Again, TRUE PIETY OF ONE WHO WAS A CHILD. Abijah is always mentioned in the context as a child. IV. TRUE PIETY COMMANDS THE RESPECT AND REVERENCE OF THE UNGODLY. The subjects of Jeroboam were wicked men, who had repudiated the temple at Jerusalem, and had gone from bad to worse. Yet, when the death of this pious child was announced, these wicked men evinced for him a reverential affection, which the context touchingly records. "All Israel shall mourn for him," was the prediction of the blind prophet: and so it was. (W. F. Bishop.) Parallel Verses KJV: And all Israel shall mourn for him, and bury him: for he only of Jeroboam shall come to the grave, because in him there is found some good thing toward the LORD God of Israel in the house of Jeroboam. |
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