If the punishment seem too severe for so small a fault, let it be considered.
1. That disobedience to God's express command, especially when it is delivered by a prophet, is a great sin, and no less than capital, Deuteronomy 18:19.
2. This fault was much worse in a prophet, who very well knew the authority of God's commands, and this way or manner of publishing them.
3. We cannot judge of the case, because this man might be guilty of many other heinous sins unknown to us, but known to God; for which God might justly cut him off; which God chose to do upon this occasion, that by the severity of this punishment of a prophet's disobedience, proceeding from pity to his brother, he might teach Ahab the greatness of his sin, in sparing him through foolish pity, whom by the laws of religion, and justice, and prudence, and common safety, he should have cut off, and what punishment he might expect for it.