- 145-
(^200) The idea, that these golden calves of Jeroboam were intended as imitations of the
cherubim over the ark (Speaker's Comment.), is manifestly untenable.
(^201) It has been objected that Jeroboam could not have wished to have recalled to Israel
the service of the golden calf in the wilderness, in view of the punishment which
followed that sin. But the words and the fact clearly point to it; and many ways might
be found of either ignoring or explaining away the consequences of Israel's conduct at
that time.
(^202) Our Authorized Version renders "the lowest of the people." But this is not implied
in the original, which uses an expression conveying the idea of all ranks and classes, in
opposition to the Levites.
(^203) This is implied in his offering the incense, which was the highest act in worship.
(^204) So literally, and not "devils," as in our Authorized Version and according to the
Rabbis.
(^205) 1 Kings 13:3, not "ashes," as in the Authorized Version, but "fat" - or rather ashes
laden with fat.
(^206) Ver. 1 in the original: "Jeroboam stood upon the altar" -this because "going up" the
inclined plane to the middle of the altar, he would stand on the circuit of the altar,
when laying on it either sacrifices or incense.
(^207) So literally.
(^208) The most effectual mode of desecration would be by the bones of dead men (comp.
Numbers 19:16). For the fulfillment of this prediction, see 2 Kings 23:16.
(^209) We would put the words in 1 Kings 13:2, "Josiah by name," within hyphens, thus: "
- Josiah by name - ," as not those of the original prophecy, but of the writer of the Book
of Kings, being added for the purpose of pointing to the fulfillment of that prediction.
Our reasons for this view are: 1. That there is a similar, and in that case,
unquestionable, explanatory addition by the writer in ver. 32, where the "cities of
Samaria" are mentioned (see our note below); 2. That prophecy never deals in details;
- That the present would be the only exception to this rule. For, the mention of Cyrus
by name in Isaiah 44:28; 45:1, affords no parallel instance, since Cyrus, or Coresh,
means "Sun," and may be regarded as the designation (appellation) of the Persian
kings, which Cyrus afterwards made his own name (like Augustus Caesar). Keil,
(^)