1 Reis 13
Bob Utley · Citado em PreceptAustin
1 Reis 13
Utley - Jeroboam sinned in the presence of great light and was judged (and restored). The man of God was tricked (v. 18) but disobeying God's word had consequences! God is no respecter of persons (i.e., Moses' judgment). Fulfilling His Mission “If thou wilt give me half thine house, I will not go in with thee, neither will I eat bread nor drink water in this place: for so was it charged me by the word of the LORD.”—1 Kings 13:8, 9 The parish of R—, within the bounds of the presbytery of Edinburgh, had become vacant, and a presentation had been issued by the noble earl in whom the patronage was vested in favour of an individual who was obnoxious to the people, or, at least, who had not their consent to his becoming their pastor and spiritual instructor. In default of this Dr. Erskine strongly opposed His induction in the Church courts. His opposition was however fruitless; the necessary forms were ordered to be gone through, and the admission to take place, and, with a refinement of cruelty not unknown in those woeful days, Dr. Erskine himself was appointed to preside at the moderating of the call. This he did, in obedience to his ecclesiastical superiors. With his staff in his hand he walked from Edinburgh to R—, a distance of eight miles, on the morning of the appointed day; not being well acquainted with the place or the road, and immersed in deep thought, he went a considerable way beyond the church, and stopped only when he thought that he must have made a mistake, and had gone farther than was necessary. Meeting a man coming towards him, and dressed apparently in his Sunday suit, he conjectured that he might be going to the church, and inquired the road thither. The man told the doctor that he had gone a good bit too far, but that he would conduct him back to the church, as he was himself going there. In the door of the porch, and at the entrance to the churchyard, stood the patron peer and some others, who, observing Dr. Erskine to be fatigued, invited him to take some refreshment before entering on the duties of the day. This offer he gently declined, and passed directly into the church and to the pulpit. He went through the services with dignity and calmness, and fulfilled his mission. On returning from the church he was again accosted by the patron, who entreated him to rest a while and accept of some refreshment. His calm yet firm and solemn answer was to this effect: “I feel obliged by your politeness, my lord; but ‘if thou wilt give me half thine house, I will not go in with thee, neither will I eat bread nor drink water in this place: for so was it charged me by the word of the LORD.’ ” And the good doctor walked his way back to Edinburgh, without a rest or even a halt. 1 Kings 13:9 “For so it was commanded me by the word of the LORD, saying, ‘You shall eat no bread, nor drink water, nor return by the way which you came.’” For: 1Ki 13:1,21,22 1Sa 15:22 Job 23:12 Joh 13:17 15:9,10,14 Eat no bread: Nu 16:26 De 13:13-18 Ps 141:4 Ro 16:17 1Co 5:11 Eph 5:11 2Jn 1:10,11 Rev 18:4 THE MAN OF GOD'S OBEDIENCE TO THE WORD OF GOD For so - Term of explanation. The man of God is explaining why he refused Jeroboam's offer. It was commanded me by the word of the LORD, saying, ‘You shall eat no bread, nor drink water, nor return by the way which you came - God's commands demonstrate His total rejection of Bethel and Jeroboam's false religion! Yahweh, Who of course knew Jeroboam would tempt the man of God, had previously given three orders (bread, water, return trip). The man of God had prophesied and seen the sign (actually 2 wonders if you include Jeroboam's stiffarm!) of God's power and was not about to disobey the LORD's clear commands (at least not yet). THOUGHT - God's commandments are holy and righteous and good (Ro 7:12+) and are not burdensome (1Jn 5:3+) but are given to us so that God might protect us and bless us when we obey. In the present context, God foresaw both the temptation of Jeroboam and the later temptation of the old prophet. God's commandments were given to keep His prophet safe when the temptations came upon the man of God. Disobedience brought the man of God out from under the "protective umbrella" of God's Word and in this case resulted in his death. Have you ever thought about God's commandments (and instructions) as "guardrails" (hedge of protection - cf Job 1:10) which kept you from traversing into dangerous, forbidden territory? Next time you begin to choose to willfully transgress one of God's commandments/instructions, think about why God has given them to you -- they are for our good and His glory! Amen? Amen! John MacArthur makes an interesting observation - The prophet’s divine commission expressly forbade receiving any hospitality at Bethel. It even required him to return home by a different route from the one by which he came, lest he should be recognized. The prophet’s own conduct was to symbolize the Lord’s total rejection of Israel’s false worship and the recognition that all the people had become apostates. (See MacArthur Study Bible- Page 497) 1 Kings 13:10 So he went another way and did not return by the way which he came to Bethel. HE IS COMMITTED TO RETURN ACCORDING TO GOD'S INSTRUCTION So - Term of conclusion. The man of God's confrontation of Jeroboam has come to an end. He went another way and did not return by the way which he came to Bethel - The man of God obeys the word of God. Thanks a great pattern from all God's men and women! 1 Kings 13:11 Now an old prophet was living in Bethel; and his sons came and told him all the deeds which the man of God had done that day in Bethel; the words which he had spoken to the king, these also they related to their father. an old prophet: 1Ki 13:20,21 Nu 23:4,5 24:2 1Sa 10:11 2Ki 23:18 Eze 13:2,16 Mt 7:22 2Pe 2:16 came: 1Ti 3:5 ANOTHER PROPHET AT BETHEL Now an old prophet was living in Bethel - One has to wonder why this prophet had not departed when he witnesses Jeroboam's overt apostasy. As the story unfolds this man is a problematic prophet, was he true or false? And his sons came and told him all the deeds which the man of God had done that day in Bethel - The fact that this old prophet would allow his sons to attend Jeroboam's false worship service calls into question the integrity of this prophet. The words which he had spoken to the king, these also they related to their father - At least this prophet was not defiling himself by attending Jeroboam's false worship services. 1 Kings 13:12 Their father said to them, “Which way did he go?” Now his sons had seen the way which the man of God who came from Judah had gone. Their father said to them, “Which way did he go?” Now his sons had seen the way which the man of God who came from Judah had gone - In God's providence, the sons were allowed to see the man of God's departure path. 1 Kings 13:13 Then he said to his sons, “Saddle the donkey for me.” So they saddled the donkey for him and he rode away on it. 1Ki 13:27 Nu 22:21 Jdg 5:10 10:4 2Sa 19:26 SADDLE UP: THE PROPHET'S PURSUIT Then he said to his sons, “Saddle the donkey for me.” So they saddled the donkey for him and he rode away on it - In context the old prophet is in pursuit of the man of God. 1 Kings 13:14 So he went after the man of God and found him sitting under an oak; and he said to him, “Are you the man of God who came from Judah?” And he said, “I am.” sitting: 1Ki 19:4 Joh 4:6,34 1Co 4:11,12 2Co 11:27 Php 4:12,13 Are you the man of God: 1Ki 13:1 TWO PROPHETS CONNECT So (term of conclusion) he went after the man of God and found him sitting under an oak; and he said to him, “Are you the man of God who came from Judah?” And he said, “I am.” - This seems innocent enough that one prophet would like to connect with another prophet, but subsequent events would prove it was not "innocent." 1 Kings 13:15 Then he said to him, “Come home with me and eat bread.” 16He said, “I cannot return with you, nor go with you, nor will I eat bread or drink water with you in this place. A TEMPTING INVITATION Then he said to him, “Come home with me and eat bread.” - This was not an invitation to just any meal but an invitation with consequences as the story unfolds. It is directly the opposite of God's Word to the man of God. 1 Kings 13:16 He said, “I cannot return with you, nor go with you, nor will I eat bread or drink water with you in this place. 1Ki 13:8,9 Ge 3:1-3 Nu 22:13,19 Mt 4:10 16:23 MAN OF GOD REFUSES TO COMPROMISE He said, “I cannot return with you, nor go with you, nor will I eat bread or drink water with you in this place - So far, so good! The man of God is standing on the Word of God. 1 Kings 13:17 “For a command came to me by the word of the LORD, ‘You shall eat no bread, nor drink water there; do not return by going the way which you came.’” by the word: 1Ki 13:1 20:35 1Th 4:15 MAN OF GOD'S EXPLANATION FOR DECLINE For - Term of explanation. The man of God is explaining why he refuses to compromise. a command came to me by the word of the LORD, ‘You shall eat no bread, nor drink water there; do not return by going the way which you came - Man of God has been given clear marching orders from the LORD. 1 Kings 13:18 He said to him, “I also am a prophet like you, and an angel spoke to me by the word of the LORD, saying, ‘Bring him back with you to your house, that he may eat bread and drink water.’” But he lied to him. an angel: Nu 22:35 Jdg 6:11,12 13:3 But: Ge 3:4,5 Isa 9:15 Jer 5:12,31 23:14,17,32 28:15,16 Eze 13:9,10,22 Mt 7:15 24:24 Ro 16:18 2Co 11:3,13-15 2Pe 2:1 1Jn 4:1 Rev 19:20 Related Passages: 1 John 4:1+ Beloved, do not believe (present imperative with a negative see our need to depend on the Holy Spirit to obey) every spirit, but test (present imperative see our need to depend on the Holy Spirit to obey) the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 Corinthians 11:13-15+ For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. 14 No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds. Galatians 1:8+ But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed! THE LYING PROPHET SEEKS TO DECEIVE He said to him, “I also am a prophet like you - How would the man of God know that? The words of prophets were to be tested and not blindly accepted. There are many today who call themselves prophets but we need to ask Are there prophets in the church today? The man of God unfortunately lacked discernment on this point, which is true of many in the church today! This exchange of directly countering the clear word of God reminds of Satan's tactic in the garden when Adam and Eve were told not to eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil and Satan, the consummate liar, said "God knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” (Ge 3:1-5+) This makes it hard to believe that a true prophet would directly contradict the word of God. Even Baalam did not contradict the word of God, although he did find another way for Balak to seduce Israel (Nu 25:1-18). Bob Utley adds "Both then and now, God's people cannot accept a message from someone who claims to be a follower of God, nor accept a spiritual message second hand. We must be true to what revelation (i.e., Scripture) says. Be careful of so called "prophets." If the message contradicts what Scripture says, it is a false revelation (i.e., Gal. 1:8+)." and an angel spoke to me by the word of the LORD, saying, ‘Bring him back with you to your house, that he may eat bread and drink water.’” But he lied to him - Was this malicious intent by the old prophet or was it a "test" to see if the man of God would discern his lies? The man of God should have been suspicious based on the fact has an angel ever reversed the clear word of the LORD? The answer is no and yes! How about the "angel" in Genesis 3:1+ "Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, “Indeed, has God said, ‘You shall not eat from any tree of the garden’?" This "angel" (if there really was an angel that spoke to the old prophet) also countered the clear word of the LORD and the result was death! He may have heard from an angel but if true, it was one masquerading as an angel of light who would prove to be the angel of death for the man of God! He swallowed a counter revelation-claim in opposition to the clear word already received. Dale Ralph Davis - At the very least the man of God should have registered suspicion, since the old prophet if only by his residence was associated with the apostatizing northern kingdom. He swallowed a counter revelation-claim in opposition to the clear word already received. That is the essential problem. And that is a recipe for disaster. . .Did you notice how steadfast and rock-solid the man of God was in his encounter with King Jeroboam (1Ki 13:1–10)? He neither succumbed to the king’s intimidation nor to his blandishments. Yet he fell when faced with the poppycock of a religious deceiver. This pattern is instructive: sometimes we have courage to face major crises but lack sense for subtle dilemmas. We can muster defiance for the danger of the hour but cannot find discernment for the ploy of the moment. Ministry must be grounded in both the power of God and the wisdom of God. (1 Kings: The Wisdom and the Folly ) When God calls: – Do nothing less! – Do nothing more! – Do nothing else! John Schultz: One of my former veteran missionary colleagues, Walter Post, once gave me an outline of a sermon preached on this section. Referring to the prophet of Bethel, it read: “When God calls: – Do nothing less! – Do nothing more! – Do nothing else!” . .One important lesson to draw from this is that we must not accept without question the “guidance” other people say they received regarding God’s will for our life. If we keep our fellowship with the Lord clean, we may believe that He will show us personally what His will for us is. God may use others to guide us, but our obedience must be to the will of God, not to the wishes of man. THOUGHT - Along the same line as Schultz's comment, when someone comes to us with a "word from the Lord," we need to be very wary and never act on it if it contradicts the clear word of God. John T Gates - A practical lesson to be learned is that the advice of other men, no matter if they are Christian friends, should not be substituted for the clear call of duty within our own hearts. (BORROW The Wycliffe Bible Commentary page 324). 1 Kings 13:19 So he went back with him, and ate bread in his house and drank water. 1Ki 13:9 Ge 3:6 De 13:1,3,5 18:20 Ac 4:19 2Pe 2:18,19 THE LAST MEAL OF THE CONDEMNED MAN OF GOD So - A sad term of conclusion. Based upon the lying prophets words, the man of God comes to a deadly conclusion. He went back with him, and ate bread in his house and drank water - The man of God directly disobeyed the clear, simple command of the word of the LORD. 1 Kings 13:20 Now it came about, as they were sitting down at the table, that the word of the LORD came to the prophet who had brought him back; the word of the Lord: Nu 23:5,16 24:4,16-24 Mt 7:22 Joh 11:51 1Co 13:2 PROPHECY OF IMMINENT JUDGMENT Now it came about, as they were sitting down at the table, that the word of the LORD came to the prophet who had brought him back - Now the old prophet gets a wake up call from Yahweh. The fact that Yahweh spoke to him would favor his being a true prophet, but there is still the problem of his lying about an angelic word. 1 Kings 13:21 and he cried to the man of God who came from Judah, saying, “Thus says the LORD, ‘Because you have disobeyed the command of the LORD, and have not observed the commandment which the LORD your God commanded you, Thus says the LORD: 1Ki 13:17 Ge 3:7 Es 6:13 Jer 2:19 Ga 1:8,9 Because you have disobeyed : Lev 10:3 Nu 20:12,24 1Sa 4:18 13:13,14 15:19,22-24 2Sa 6:7 2Sa 12:9-11 24:13 Rev 3:19 NOW THE LYING PROPHET GIVES A TRUE PROPHECY and he cried to the man of God who came from Judah, saying, “Thus says the LORD, ‘Because you have disobeyed the command of the LORD, and have not observed the commandment which the LORD your God commanded you - It is a sad irony that the older prophet who lied now utters a true prophecy from Jehovah. Iain Provan: It is further made clear that God’s law stands over everyone—that even prophets must obey it, or face judgment—and that God can use even false prophets (ED: NOT EVERYONE AGREES THE OLD PROPHET IS FALSE BUT I TEND TO AGREE - IF TRUE WHY DID HE REMAIN IN AN APOSTATE LAND AND SECONDLY HE CLEARLY LIED WHICH IS WHAT OT FALSE PROPHET WOULD DO) occasionally to speak the truth. (See 1 & 2 Kings Understanding the Bible Commentary Series - Page 67) THOUGHT - Beware: because many began on the Christian road in a blaze of glory, and have ended in a bog of shame. Many useful men of God, they began well but they ended badly... Paul House - Sadly, like Jeroboam (cf. 1 Kgs 12:28) the man of God has listened to bad counsel rather than heeding a direct word of God. Jeroboam was certain, despite the Lord’s promise to the contrary, that he would lose his authority unless he formed a new cult. The man of God believed that an angelic message contradicted God’s earlier word. Both men make incorrect choices based on bad advice and personal uncertainty. (Borrow 1,2 Kings) F B
1 Reis 13
Utley - "the lion also was standing" This is another supernatural event. The lion killed the man but did not eat the body. Also, the lion did not attack the donkey. This would not have been missed by the old prophet. What are some takeaways of this tragic tale? Be careful who we listen to, even (especially) among religious leaders. Testing every message against God’s word (1 John 4:1). Remember that obedience to God should always come before pleasing people. Bob Utley - LIONS IN THE OT (BDB 71, KB 87) Often an individual's or nation's power is described as being like a lion, the king of the predators. 1. Judah, Gen. 49:9; Micah 5:8 2. YHWH on Israel's behalf, Num. 24:9; Isa. 31:4; 35:9; Hos. 11:10 3. Israel as a defeated lion, Ezekiel 19 4. tribe of Dan, Deut. 33:22 5. David's power over lions, 1 Sam. 17:34-37 6. Saul and Jonathan, 2 Sam. 1:23 7. symbolic protectors of the throne of Solomon, 1 Kgs. 10:19-20 8. God uses lions as punishment, 1 Kgs. 13,20-28; 20:36; 2 Kgs. 17:25-26; Isa. 15:9; metaphor in Job 4:10 and Jer. 2:30; 49:19; 50:44; Lam. 3:10; Amos 3:4,8,12; 5:19; Hos. 5:14; 13:7-8; Nah. 2:11-12 9. describe David's enemies from whom God will deliver him, Ps. 7:2; 10:9; 17:12; 22:13,21 10. a metaphor for unknown evil, Pro. 22:13; 26:13; 28:15 11. used to describe Babylon's military, Jer. 4:7; 49:19-22; 51:38 12. the military of the nations against God's people, Jer. 5:6; 25:32-38; 50:17; Joel 1:6 13. how God's people treat Him, Jer. 12:8 14. how God's leaders treat the people, Ezek. 22:25; Zeph. 3:3 15. metaphor for king's anger, Pro. 19:12; 20:2 16. metaphor for the godly, Pro. 28:1 17. metaphor for the Messiah, Gen. 49:9; Rev. 5:5 18. In light of usage #11 and 12 in Jeremiah, Daniel's metaphor of the Babylonian military as a fast moving lion is obvious. Empires of the Fertile Crescent often used lions to symbolize the nation (e.g., the winged lions on the Ishtar Gate of the city of Babylon). 1 Kings 13:25 And behold, men passed by and saw the body thrown on the road, and the lion standing beside the body; so they came and told it in the city where the old prophet lived. OLD PROPHET RECEIVES REPORT OF FRUIT OF HIS LIES And behold, men passed by and saw the body thrown on the road, and the lion standing beside the body; so they came and told it in the city where the old prophet lived - This passage means that the death of the man of God became public knowledge and one can imagine Jeroboam's sense of vindication when he heard of his adversary's demise! 1 Kings 13:26 Now when the prophet who brought him back from the way heard it, he said, “It is the man of God, who disobeyed the command of the LORD; therefore the LORD has given him to the lion, which has torn him and killed him, according to the word of the LORD which He spoke to him.” the man: Lev 10:3 2Sa 12:10,14 Ps 119:120 Pr 11:31 Eze 9:6 1Co 11:30 Heb 12:28,29 1Pe 4:17 which he spoke: 1Ki 13:9 THE OLDER PROPHET'S EXPLANATION Now when the prophet who brought him back from the way heard it, he said, “It is the man of God, who disobeyed the command of the LORD; therefore the LORD has given him to the lion, which has torn him and killed him, according to the word of the LORD which He spoke to him.” - The older prophet understands the cause of the fate of the man of God, but here seems to have little remorse for his lie which resulted in the man of God's death. G Campbell
1 Reis 13
Utley points out that Samaria "was not the capital until the reign of Omri (i.e., 1 Kgs. 16:24). This reference shows a later editor." 1 Kings 13:33 After this event Jeroboam did not return from his evil way, but again he made priests of the high places from among all the people; any who would, he ordained, to be priests of the high places. Jeroboam: 1Ki 12:31-33 2Ch 11:15 13:9 Am 6:11 made again: Heb. returned and made, Ps 78:34 Jer 18:4 *marg: 2Ti 3:13 whosoever: Nu 1:51 3:10 17:5,12,13 he ordained Heb. filled his hand, Ex 28:41 *marg: Jdg 17:12 PRIESTS JOBS TO ANYONE After this event Jeroboam did not return from his evil way - Literal Hebrew = "The Hebrew is literally “did not return from his evil way, but returned and made priests." In short the dramatic warning at the altar does nothing to change the ways of Jeroboam. As noted above, one would have thought when you were "stiff-armed" by God and then healed by God, it would have shaken you to your senses! Sadly, Jeroboam made a conscious choice not to repent of his evil but seems to immediately begin again. He missed his golden opportunity of a lifetime and it would cost him dearly. The word of God was his mercy —and he despised it. Dale Ralph Davis: He simply repaired the altar and went on worshiping there (1Ki 13:33–34). The word of God was his mercy—and he despised it. (1 Kings: The Wisdom and the Folly) But - A sorry term of contrast. Jeroboam confronted with the righteousness (not to mention the grace and mercy) of Yahweh had an opportunity to repent but refused! Again - This is a time phrase and a sad one at that. He continued his apostate religion. He made priests of the high places (bamah) from among all the people; any who would, he ordained, to be priests of the high places (bamah) - NLT = "He continued to choose priests from the rank and file of the people. people. Anyone who wanted to could become a priest for the pagan shrines." Jeroboam doubles down on his unorthodox ordination of laymen to be priests at his high places. Paul was correct when he said "evil men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived." (2Ti 3:13+) Bob Utley - In the presence of great light (i.e., the sign), Jeroboam refused to repent. This is, in essence, what "the sin unto death" and "the unpardonable sin" of the NT represent. See THE UNPARDONABLE SIN and THE SIN UNTO DEATH 1 Kings 13:34 This event became sin to the house of Jeroboam, even to blot it out and destroy it from off the face of the earth. KJV 1 Kings 13:34 And this thing became sin unto the house of Jeroboam, even to cut it off, and to destroy it from off the face of the earth. BGT 1 Kings 13:34 καὶ ἐγένετο τὸ ῥῆμα τοῦτο εἰς ἁμαρτίαν τῷ οἴκῳ Ιεροβοαμ καὶ εἰς ὄλεθρον καὶ εἰς ἀφανισμὸν ἀπὸ προσώπου τῆς γῆς LXE 1 Kings 13:34 And this thing became sin to the house of Jeroboam, even to its destruction and its removal from the face of the earth. NET 1 Kings 13:34 This sin caused Jeroboam's dynasty to come to an end and to be destroyed from the face of the earth. CSB 1 Kings 13:34 This was the sin that caused the house of Jeroboam to be wiped out and annihilated from the face of the earth. ESV 1 Kings 13:34 And this thing became sin to the house of Jeroboam, so as to cut it off and to destroy it from the face of the earth. NIV 1 Kings 13:34 This was the sin of the house of Jeroboam that led to its downfall and to its destruction from the face of the earth. NLT 1 Kings 13:34 This became a great sin and resulted in the utter destruction of Jeroboam's dynasty from the face of the earth. NRS 1 Kings 13:34 This matter became sin to the house of Jeroboam, so as to cut it off and to destroy it from the face of the earth. NJB 1 Kings 13:34 Such conduct made the House of Jeroboam a sinful House, and caused its ruin and extinction from the face of the earth. NAB 1 Kings 13:34 This was a sin on the part of the house of Jeroboam for which it was to be cut off and destroyed from the earth. YLT 1 Kings 13:34 And in this thing is the sin of the house of Jeroboam, even to cut it off, and to destroy it from off the face of the ground. became sin: 1Ki 12:30 2Ki 10:31 17:21 even to blot it out 1Ki 12:26 1Ki 14:10 1Ki 15:29,30 Pr 13:6 Related Passages: 1 Kings 12:30 Now this thing became a sin, for the people went to worship before the one as far as Dan. Proverbs 13:6 Righteousness guards the one whose way is blameless, But wickedness subverts the sinner. GOD'S VERDICT CALLS FOR JEROBOAM'S DYNASTY'S DESTRUCTION This event became sin to the house of Jeroboam, even to blot it out and destroy it from off the face of the earth - NET = "This sin caused Jeroboam's dynasty to come to an end and to be destroyed from the face of the earth." This verse summarizes the root cause of the northern kingdom's declension and demise. Iain Provan: The closing verses of the chapter tie the story of the prophets back to the Jeroboam narrative. True prophecy will bring forth the judgment it promises; even prophets cannot escape if they are disobedient. And if prophets cannot escape, neither can kings. Bethel, and by extension all the other shrines on the high places that center around Bethel’s cult, will indeed be destroyed (v. 32). Even in face of all that has just happened, however, Jeroboam continues in his evil ways (v. 33), appointing illegitimate priests for the high places just mentioned. That is to say, he proliferates his new cult, extending it beyond Bethel and Dan into the rest of his kingdom. And because all the warnings of chapter 13 have led him, not to repentance (like Ahab in 1 Kgs. 21:28–29), but to a hardening of heart, the destruction of his house is now assured (v. 34). This was the sin—this persistence in idolatry—that led him to disaster. His adherence to his religious reforms has put the prize of an everlasting dynasty out of reach; his attempt to make his own “house” secure, by building a “house” for his gods at Bethel and lesser shrines for them elsewhere, has failed. (See 1 & 2 Kings - Understanding the Bible Commentary Series- Page 67) Bob Utley - What was Jeroboam's great sin? building the rival temples (1 Kgs. 12:30) appointing non-Levitical priests not repenting in light of YHWH's sign causing Judah to sin in a like manner (cf. 2 Kgs. 17:19-23) David