Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Kings 21:29
Seest thou how Ahab humbleth himself before me? because he humbleth himself before me, I will not bring the evil in his days: [but] in his son’s days will I bring the evil upon his house.
29. because he humbleth himself before me ] These words are left out by the LXX., as are also ‘upon his house’ at the close of the verse.
I will not bring the evil in his days ] That is, the whole penalty shall not be inflicted on him. A portion of it was, as we are told in 1Ki 22:37-38. The Jews explain the word which is rendered ‘forgiving’ iniquity (Exo 34:7; Num 14:18; &c.) by reference to its original meaning which is ‘to lift up’. God, say they, raises the load, so that it does not press all at once, or men would perish under it, but the lifted burden is divided into parts, and men feel it in consequence for a long time to come. In every punishment of Israel, there is mixed up an ounce of the golden calf.
but in his son’s days ] Fulfilled in the death of Jehoram, Ahab’s son. 2Ki 9:25.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
The evil – i. e., the main evil. See 1Ki 21:19 note; and compare 1Ki 22:38 with marginal reference.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 29. Seest thou how Ahab humbleth himself] He did abase himself; he did truly repent him of his sins, and it was such a repentance as was genuine in the sight of God: He humbleth himself BEFORE ME.
The penitent heart ever meets the merciful eye of God; repentance is highly esteemed by the Father of compassion, even where it is comparatively shallow and short-lived. Any measure of godly sorrow has a proportionate measure of God’s regard; where it is deep and lasting, the heart of God is set upon it. He that mourns shall be comforted; thus hath God spoken, and though repentance for our past sins can purchase no favour, yet without it God will not grant us his salvation.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Before me, i.e. in my presence, and upon my threatening. But this humiliation or repentance of Ahabs was only external and superficial, arising from the terror of Gods judgments; and not sincere and serious, proceeding from the love of God, or a true sense of his sin, or a solemn purpose of amendment of his life, as appears, because all the particulars of his repentance here, 1Ki 21:27, are external and ritual only; nor is there the least intimation of any one sign or fruit of his true repentance, as that he restored Naboths land, or reproved his infamous wife; but in the very next chapter you find him returning to his former vomit, hating and threatening the Lords prophets, &c.
The evil, i.e. the judgment threatened, both that 1Ki 21:19, which was not inflicted upon Ahab with so much ignominy, and with that particular signature of Gods vengeance, that it was to be done in the same place, as it was upon his son Joram; and especially that 1Ki 21:21,22, which was wholly suspended until his sons days.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
Seest thou how Ahab humbleth himself before me?…. Which yet was but an external humiliation, to be seen only with bodily eyes, as were all his actions and postures, before observed. Some Jewish writers i think his repentance was true and perfect, and his conversion thorough and real: they tell us k, that he was in fasting and prayer morning and evening before the Lord, and was studying in the law all his days, and returned not to his evil works any more, and his repentance was accepted: but the contrary appears manifest; we never read that he reproved Jezebel for the murder of Naboth, nor restored the vineyard to his family, which he would have done had he been a true penitent; nor did he leave his idols; we quickly hear of his consulting with the four hundred prophets of the groves, and expressing his hatred of a true prophet of the Lord, 1Ki 22:6, his humiliation arose from dread of punishment, and not from the true fear of God; however, it was such as was never seen in any of his wicked predecessors, and is taken notice of by the Lord. Luther l from these words concluded, and was persuaded, that he was saved:
because he humbled himself before me, I will not bring the evil in his days, but in his son’s days will I bring the evil upon his house; this was not a pardon, only a reprieve; the sentence pronounced on him and his family was not taken off, nor countermanded, only the execution of it prolonged; it is promised that the destruction of his family should not be in his lifetime, but after his death, in his son’s days, otherwise he himself died a violent death, and the dogs licked his blood, as were foretold; however, this may be an encouragement to those who are truly humbled for their sins, and really repent of them, that they shall receive forgiveness at the hand of God, since he showed so much regard to an outward humiliation and repentance.
i Bereshit Rabba in Abarbinel in loc. k Pirke Eliezer, c. 43. l Mensal. Colloqu. c. 32. p. 360.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(29) How Ahab humbleth himself.As there is something entirely characteristic of Ahabs impressible nature in this burst of penitence; so in the acceptance of it there is a remarkable illustration of the Divine mercy. The repentance might seem not only to come too late, but to be the mere offspring of fearmore sensible of the shame of discovery than of the shamefulness of sin. Mans judgment would despise it; God sees in its imperfection some germs of promise, and His partial remission of penalty shows it to be not disregarded in His sight. Ahab himself is still to suffer the predicted doom; but he is to die in honour, and the utter destruction waits, till Jehoram shall fill up the measure of iniquity.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
REFLECTIONS
IT is impossible to behold human nature, as represented in such characters as Ahab and Jezebel, but with the most humiliating pain and sorrow, from our connection in the general mass. When I consider that, by nature, we are all alike children of wrath, enemies to God by wicked works; oh! how humbling is the view! But when, through grace, our souls are brought to look at the rock whence we are hewn, and to the hole of the pit from whence we are digged; oh! how precious, how inestimably precious is that mercy, which is so distinguishing. Never, blessed Jesus; never, I beseech thee, dearest Lord and Saviour, suffer me to read of such awful characters in thy sacred word, without feeling the blessedness of that question of thy servant the apostle, applied and brought home to my soul; Who maketh thee to differ from another: and what hast thou which thou didst not receive? And, Lord! suffer me to ask another mercy from thee: while beholding the miseries of our nature, the sufferings of the oppressed, and the cruelty of their oppressors; oh! give me to behold the virtue, the efficacy, the merit, the power, the all sufficiency of thy precious blood, in cleansing from all sin. Here let me gaze on thee and thy cross, until my whole soul goeth forth in the most ardent faith and dependence upon thee. Lord! impress upon my mind, in yet stronger characters, thy eternal excellency. And let my dying moments bear one uniform correspondence with my living conviction; that salvation is in no other; neither is there any other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
1Ki 21:29 Seest thou how Ahab humbleth himself before me? because he humbleth himself before me, I will not bring the evil in his days: [but] in his son’s days will I bring the evil upon his house.
Ver. 29. I will not bring the evil. ] I will recompense his temporary repentance with a temporary deliverance. Thus noble captains have honoured their enemies that have fought valiantly, to put some spirits into their own soldiers. And thus parents reward their servants’ dutifulness, to provoke their own children.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
not bring. So the judgment on Solomon was postponed (1Ki 11:12) for his father’s sake.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Seest thou: Jer 7:17, Luk 7:44
Ahab: Exo 10:3, Psa 18:44, Psa 66:3, Psa 78:34-37
I will not: Psa 86:15, Eze 33:10, Eze 33:11, Mic 7:18, Rom 2:4, 2Pe 3:9
the evil in: 1Ki 21:21-23
in his son’s days: 2Ki 9:25, 2Ki 9:26, 2Ki 9:33-37, 2Ki 10:1-7, 2Ki 10:11
Reciprocal: Exo 20:5 – visiting Lev 26:41 – humbled 1Ki 11:12 – in thy days 1Ki 21:19 – In the place 1Ki 22:53 – according to all 2Ki 10:10 – the Lord hath done 2Ki 10:30 – Because thou hast 2Ki 19:1 – covered 2Ki 22:19 – humbled 2Ch 12:7 – the Lord 2Ch 32:26 – days 2Ch 34:28 – neither Jer 26:3 – that I Jer 44:10 – are not Dan 4:27 – if it 1Pe 5:6 – Humble
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
1Ki 21:29. Seest thou how Ahab humbleth himself before me? His humiliation was real, though not lasting, and accordingly pleasing to God. This discovers the great goodness of God, and his readiness to show mercy: it teaches us to take notice of that which is good, even in the worst of men: it gives a reason why wicked persons often prosper; God rewards the little good which is in them: and it encourages true penitents. If even Ahab goes to his house reprieved, doubtless they shall go to their houses justified.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
21:29 Seest thou how Ahab humbleth himself before me? because he humbleth himself before me, I will not bring the evil in his days: [but] in his {l} son’s days will I bring the evil upon his house.
(l) Meaning, in Joram’s time, 2Ki 9:26.