Melachim Alef 14:13

13 And kol Yisroel shall mourn for him, and bury him; for he only of Yarov‘am shall come to the kever (grave), because in him there is found some davar tov (good thing) toward Hashem Elohei Yisroel in the Bais Yarov‘am.

Melachim Alef 14:13 Meaning and Commentary

1 Kings 14:13

And all Israel shall mourn for him, and bury him
Give him an honourable interment, and follow him to the grave with lamentation, because he was the heir apparent to the throne, and an hopeful prince, of whom they had raised expectations; that when he came to the throne things would take a different turn, especially in matters of religion, and they might fear, he being removed, things would grow worse instead of better:

for he only of Jeroboam shall come to the grave;
or be buried, the rest should be devoured by dogs or fowls:

because in him there is found some good thing towards the Lord God of
Israel in the house of Jeroboam;
the principles of grace were implanted, and seeds of piety and religion sown in his heart; and there appeared a disposition of mind, and desires in him to the name of God, and the remembrance of it; or to his pure worship and service; it might be discerned that he had a dislike of idolatry, and a desire to have true religion restored. The Jews say F11 that this good thing in him was, that he was the means of removing the watch or guards that were placed in the way to hinder the Israelites from going up to the feasts of the Lord.


FOOTNOTES:

F11 T. Bab. Moed Katon, fol. 28. 2.

Melachim Alef 14:13 In-Context

11 Him that dieth of Yarov‘am in the Ir shall the kelavim (dogs) eat; and him that dieth in the sadeh shall the oph haShomayim eat; for Hashem hath spoken.
12 Arise thou therefore, get thee to thine own bais; and when thy raglayim enter into the Ir (city, i.e. Tirtzah), the yeled shall die.
13 And kol Yisroel shall mourn for him, and bury him; for he only of Yarov‘am shall come to the kever (grave), because in him there is found some davar tov (good thing) toward Hashem Elohei Yisroel in the Bais Yarov‘am.
14 Moreover Hashem shall raise Him up a Melech over Yisroel, who shall cut off the Bais Yarov‘am even this day. This is the day! [See 1Kgs 15:27-29.] Even now.
15 For Hashem shall strike Yisroel, just as the kaneh (reed), is shaken in the mayim, and He shall uproot Yisroel out of this adamah hatovah, which He gave to Avoteihem, and shall scatter them beyond the Nahar (River, i.e., the Euphrates) because they have made their Ashera idols, provoking Hashem to anger.
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