1 Kings 14:9

9 you also have done more evil than all who were before you, and 1have gone and made for yourself other gods and 2molten images to provoke Me to anger, and have 3cast Me behind your back -

1 Kings 14:9 Meaning and Commentary

1 Kings 14:9

But hast done evil above all that were before thee
Not only above David, but above Saul, who never gave into idolatry, yea, even above Solomon, who, though he connived at idolatry, and might be guilty of it in some instances, yet did not attempt to draw his people into it; and if this was the latter end of Jeroboam's reign, which is probable, Rehoboam and Abijam might be both dead; and though they were blameworthy in some things, yet not so bad as Jeroboam; though perhaps this may respect only such who had been kings of Israel before him:

for thou hast gone and made thee other gods, and molten images, to
provoke me to anger;
the two calves of gold; for however he might colour things over, and pretend he did not look upon these as gods, but as representations of God, and that he did not worship them, but God by them, yet the Lord considered it as idolatry, than which nothing is more provoking to him:

and hast cast me behind thy back;
as unworthy of his regard; or my worship, as the Targum, which he neglected, and showed no concern for.

1 Kings 14:9 In-Context

7 "Go, say to Jeroboam, 'Thus says the LORD God of Israel, "Because I exalted you from among the people and made you leader over My people Israel,
8 and tore the kingdom away from the house of David and gave it to you-yet you have not been like My servant David, who kept My commandments and who followed Me with all his heart, to do only that which was right in My sight;
9 you also have done more evil than all who were before you, and have gone and made for yourself other gods and molten images to provoke Me to anger, and have cast Me behind your back -
10 therefore behold, I am bringing calamity on the house of Jeroboam, and will cut off from Jeroboam every male person, both bond and free in Israel, and I will make a clean sweep of the house of Jeroboam, as one sweeps away dung until it is all gone.
11 "Anyone belonging to Jeroboam who dies in the city the dogs will eat. And he who dies in the field the birds of the heavens will eat; for the LORD has spoken it."'

Cross References 3

  • 1. 1 Kings 12:28; 2 Chronicles 11:15
  • 2. Exodus 34:17
  • 3. Nehemiah 9:26; Psalms 50:17; Ezekiel 23:35
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