1 Kings 13

The adamant, says Pliny, is insuperable, the hammer cannot conquer it: sinners have adamantine hearts. The altar of stone, when the prophet spoke to it, rent asunder (1 Kings 13:2). But sinners' hearts are so hardened in sin, that nothing will work upon them, neither ordinances…

It prevents abundance of sin, which else wicked men would commit, Genesis 19:11 The Sodomites were greedily pursuing their lusts: God providentially hinders it, by smiting them blind. Jeroboam intends to smite the Prophet; Providence interpos'd, and wither'd his arm, 1 Kings 13:…

This was a famous and very particular prophecy of a person named near two hundred years before he was born, and those things punctually foretold of him which he should afterwards perform. The like we have (1 Kings 13:2), where the prophet declaims against the idolatrous altar an…

Oh take heed of unbelief, it destroys this holy violence. We read of Jeroboam's arm being withered (1 Kings 13:4). Unbelief withers the arm of the soul, that it cannot stretch itself forth to any spiritual action.

Flesh and blood will not so easily bear us out against the secret ensnarings of the heart. The young prophet does thunder out his message against the king (1 Kings 13:3), yet was enticed by the wiles of the old prophet. So we may stand out against an open assault, and apparent v…

Obdurate Sinners shake out the Arrow of Conviction, Scorn Reproof. When the Prophet cried to the Altar of Stone it rent, 1 Kings 13:2. But Sinners Hearts rend not; these are like to have the Wrath of God flame about their Ears, 2 Thes. 1:8.

And be not conformed to this world, but be you transformed by the renewing of your minds. Good men may deceive us; true and faithful ministers may err both in doctrine and manners, as the old prophet seduced the young one to his own destruction (1 Kings 13:18). He said to him, I…

And it was by much fair speech, or importunity that the harlot prevailed with the young man, who it may be was going about his business, and thought no hurt, till she importuned him (Proverbs 7:13, 21). By lying to men in the name of the Lord, as the old prophet did to the young…

But is it possible that such should do this work for the devil? yes, such is the policy of Satan, and the frailty of the best, that the most holy men have been his instruments to seduce others, Abraham he tempts his wife to lie, Say you are my Sister. The old Prophet leads the m…