- 147-
(^220) The sepulchers in Palestine were not like ours, but generally rockhewn, and
consisted of an ante-chamber and an inner cave in which the bodies were deposited in
niches, the entrance to the sepulcher being guarded by a stone. For details, comp.
Sketches of Jewish Social Life in the Days of Christ,p. 171.
(^221) From 2 Kings 2:24 we gather, that the forest around Bethel was the haunt of wild
beasts. It will be easily understood, that it was almost necessary the lion should remain
by the dead body, alike to show the Divine character of the judgment, and to induce the
passers-by to make haste on their journey.
(^222) This is clearly implied by the word "broken" in 1 Kings 13:26, marginal rendering.
(^223) So literally. The reference the other Bamoth-houses, besides those of Bethel and
Dan, is, of course, prophetic.
(^224) The mention of Samaria here and in 1 Kings 13:32 must have been explanatory
additions by the writer, since Samaria was only built by Omri (1 Kings 16:24). This, of
course, confirms the view we have expressed about the mention of the name of Josiah.
It need scarcely be stated, that this in no way invalidates the truthfulness of the
narrative, but rather confirms it.
(^225) This, in one form or another, is the view of Josephus, the Targum, and of most of
the Rabbinical and Christian commentators.
(^226) So Ephr. Syr., Theodor., Witsius, Hengstenberg, Keil, and Bahr.
(^227) It is well known that lions do not prey upon dead bodies, except through stress of
hunger.
(^228) The fullest description is that in Guerin's Samarie, tome i., pp. 365- 368. It is the
modern Thallusah: comp. Bottger, Topogr. Histor. Lex. zu Flavius Josephus, p. 243.
(^229) In the original it is simply "hard."
(^230) Commentators have noted in the ten verses of Ahijah's message (vers. 7- 16) a
rhythmic arrangement, viz., twice 5 verses - the first stanza (vers. 7-11) consisting of 3
- 2, the last stanza (vers. 12-16) of 2 + 3 verses.
(^231) This seems to be the correct meaning of a proverbial expression which scarcely
occurs except during the period from the time of David to that of Jehu.
(^)