1 Kings 14:13 And all Israel shall mourn for him, and bury him: for he only of Jeroboam shall come to the grave… I. THE SCENE OF ITS DEVELOPMENT. It grew in very uncongenial soft. There are several stimulating instances where godliness has been pursued under difficulties. There were a "few names even in Sardis which had not defiled their garments." These, in common with the one of the text, go to prove that religion can be practised under all imaginable circumstances. There are situations which make it very hard to be good, but none which make it impossible. II. THE SEAT OF ITS POWER. "In him there is found," etc. Out of the heart are the issues of life, keep it then with all diligence. Dwellers in the Isle of Anglesea say that they have a wonderful pool at the bottom of one of their native hills, into which if you throw pieces of old iron, or worthless tin, they will all come out in the course of time as precious copper. "All things work together for good, to them that love God." Most assuredly then religion is the chief good — a good within, that overcomes all evils without — good for all, in all places, at all times, under all circumstances. III. THE SUM OF ITS QUANTITY. It was not large by any means, but under such an inhospitable roof we are only astonished at finding any at all. "In him there is found some good thing." (D. Thomas.) 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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