Matthew Poole and continuators on 1 Kings 13:11

11 ¶ Now there dwelt an old prophet in Bethel , and his sons came and told him all the works that the man of God had done that day in Bethel: the words which he had spoken unto the king, them they told also to their father.

A Prophet of the Lord; one to whom, and by whom, God did sometimes impart his mind; as is manifest from ver. 20, 21. and one that had a respect to the Lords holy Prophets, and gave credit to their Predictions: all which the following Relation shews: but whether he was an holy and good Man, may justly be doubted, seeing all those qualifications might meet in a vicious man, to, and by whom he may Reveal some part of his Mind, as he did to Balaam, Numb. 23. &c. and in such, his other qualities are sometimes found; and we find him in a downright and premeditated Lye, and that without any great temptation to it, ver. 18. And albeit, an holy Prophet might possibly have continued in the Kingdom of Israel, he would never have gone from his own habitation, to dwell at Bethel, the chief Seat of Idolatry, unless with design to Preach against it: which it is evident he did not; his Sons seem to have been present at, and to have joyned with others in that Idolatrous worship, v. 11. and that not without their Fathers connivence.

For thither he came to dwell, probably expecting some great advantages from Ieroboam; but he came out of Samaria, 2 King. 23. 18. where he either was born, and had lived before. Or, his usual dwelling was at Bethel, but had lately been at Samaria, and was now returned to Bethel.

Who probably were eye and ear-witnesses of what had passed.

Marginal references: Heb. [illegible: 1 word] ▪