John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 8. And the man of God said unto the king , etc.] In answer to his civility to him, to assure him it was not out of contempt to him, or ill will to him, or slight of his favour, but in obedience to the will of God: if thou wilt give half of thine house ; of the riches in it, and even of his kingdom: I will not go in with thee, neither will I eat bread nor drink water in this place ; this idolatrous place; the reason follows.
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 ויאמר559 אישׁ376 האלהים430 אל413 המלך4428 אם518 תתן5414 לי את853 חצי2677 ביתך1004 לא3808 אבא935 עמך5973 ולא3808 אכל398 לחם3899 ולא3808 אשׁתה8354 מים4325 במקום4725 הזה׃2088
