John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 5. The altar also was rent , etc.] Split into two parts perhaps, and one fell one way, and the other another; and the ashes poured out from the altar ; the ashes of the burnt offering, these were spilled on the ground; all which was done without any outward force, or any visible means thereof: according to the sign which the man of God had given by the word of the Lord ; by his direction and order.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-10 - In threatening the altar, the prophet threatens the founder an worshippers. Idolatrous worship will not continue, but the word of the Lord will endure for ever. The prediction plainly declared that the family of David would continue, and support true religion, when the te tribes would not be able to resist them. If God, in justice, harden the hearts of sinners, so that the hand they have stretched out in sin the cannot pull in again by repentance, that is a spiritual judgment represented by this, and much more dreadful. Jeroboam looked for help not from his calves, but from God only, from his power, and his favour The time may come when those that hate the preaching, would be glad of the prayers of faithful ministers. Jeroboam does not desire the prophe to pray that his sin might be pardoned, and his heart changed, but onl that his hand might be restored. He seemed affected for the presen with both the judgment and the mercy, but the impression wore off. God forbade his messenger to eat or drink in Bethel, to show his detestation of their idolatry and apostacy from God, and to teach u not to have fellowship with the works of darkness. Those have no learned self-denial, who cannot forbear one forbidden meal.
Original Hebrew והמזבח4196 נקרע7167 וישׁפך8210 הדשׁן1880 מן4480 המזבח4196 כמופת4159 אשׁר834 נתן5414 אישׁ376 האלהים430 בדבר1697 יהוה׃3068
