Matthew Poole and continuators on 1 Kings 20:36

36 Then said he unto him, Because thou hast not obeyed the voice of the LORD, behold, as soon as thou art departed from me, a lion shall slay thee. And assoon as he was departed from him, a lion found him, and slew him .

If the Punishment seem too severe for so small 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, Deut. 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 hainous 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 Prophets Disobedience, proceeding from [illegible: 1+ letters]pity to his Brother, he might teach Ahab the greatness of his Sin, in spa [illegible: 1+ letters]ing 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.

Marginal references: Chap. 13▪ [illegible: 1+ letters]