1 Kings 14:13

13 And all Israel shall mourn for him and bury him; for he only of Jeroboam shall come to the grave, because in him there is found some good thing toward the LORD God of Israel in the house of Jeroboam.

1 Kings 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.

1 Kings 14:13 In-Context

11 Him of Jeroboam that dieth in the city shall the dogs eat, and him that dieth in the field shall the fowls of the air eat; for the LORD hath spoken it."'
12 Arise thou therefore, get thee to thine own house; and when thy feet enter into the city, the child shall die.
13 And all Israel shall mourn for him and bury him; for he only of Jeroboam shall come to the grave, because in him there is found some good thing toward the LORD God of Israel in the house of Jeroboam.
14 Moreover the LORD shall raise up for Himself a king over Israel who shall cut off the house of Jeroboam that day. But what? Even now!
15 For the LORD shall smite Israel, as a reed is shaken in the water; and He shall root up Israel out of this good land which He gave to their fathers, and shall scatter them beyond the river, because they have made their Asherah poles, provoking the LORD to anger.
Third Millennium Bible (TMB), New Authorized Version, Copyright 1998 by Deuel Enterprises, Inc., Gary, SD 57237. All rights reserved.