And, behold, there came a man of God out of Judah by the word of the LORD unto Bethel: and Jeroboam stood by the altar to burn incense.
Ver. 1. And, behold, there came a man of God.] A prophet, 1Ki 13:18 but whether Shemaiah, as Tertullian saith, or Joel, or Theodoret, or Iddo, as Josephus, or some other, it is not known.
Out of Judah.] Who "yet ruled with God, and was faithful with the saints," Hos 11:12 though shortly after the faithful city became a harlot, a very Poneropolis. Isa 1:21
By the word of the Lord.] Or, With the word of the Lord.
Unto Bethel.] Now become Bethaven: where at that mock feast of tabernacles 1Ki 12:33 was a great assembly, and so the fitter opportunity for a prophet to warn this backslidden people: but they were revolted and gone. Jer 5:23 Once they quarrelled the erecting of but a new altar by the Reubenites, and were ready to kill and slay, Jos 22:10-34 but now it was far otherwise. Oh, where is our ancient fervour and forwardness? and why is our "silver become dross, our wine mixed with water" Isa 1:22