1 Kings 14:13 And all Israel shall mourn for him, and bury him: for he only of Jeroboam shall come to the grave… 1. What was the good thing referred to? The grace of God, or true religion. Religion is in itself a good thing — good for this life: (1) in school, (2) in situations, (3) in home; and good for the life to come. 2. This good thing was in him. It was not a mere matter of outward show or of words. 3. This good thing had been put within him. We are not told how or when. But it certainly had been imparted to him. The gardener who wants to get very fine roses, first gets up the roots of the briar and plants them. The briar is then pruned and prepared for the rosebud. In a very skilful way the bud is inserted into the stem of the briar. The rosebud and the briar become one. But the rosebud rules, and makes the briar good. It is very likely St. James had seen some one doing this before he exhorted his hearers to receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. As the rosebud saves the briar from its degraded state, so the Word saves the soul that receives it. Abijah received the word of God's grace, and it was in him a living power. 4. But this good thing went out toward God who gave it — towards the Lord God of Israel, not towards the gods his father had set up. 5. Some good was found. Not every good thing. Well is it not to despise the day of small things. Some good thing, however small, is the promise of greater. We cannot tell how much good may come of one word. 6. The good thing within him did not die when he was buried. The life of grace is one which the hand of death cannot touch. The memory of this good thing was a power for good in the lives of others who outlived him. All Israel mourned for him. Child though he was, he had exerted an influence for good.Two or three lessons may be learned from this narrative: — 1. It is possible God may in His wise providence raise up in a bad family at least one true witness. 2. Such a witness may be but a child. 3. Such a youth may be alone in his testimony. 4. How much more possible is it to be a true witness in a good family where there are many faithful ones. (Henry Smith.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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. |
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