“The altar also was rent, and the ashes poured out from the altar, according to the sign which the man of God had given by the word of the LORD.”
King James Version (KJV)
13:3 Gave a sign - That is, he then wrought a miracle, to assure themof the truth of his prophecy.
13:4 Put forth, &c. - To point out the man whom he would have thepeople lay hands on. The altar - Where it was employed in offeringsomething upon it. Dried up - Or, withered, the muscles and sinews,the instruments of motion, shrunk up. This God did, to chastiseJeroboam for offering violence to the Lord's prophet: to secure theprophet against farther violence: and, that in this example God mightshew, how highly he resents the injuries done to his ministers, for thefaithful discharge of their office.
13:6 Thy God - Who hath manifested himself to be thy God and friend,in a singular manner; and therefore will hear thy prayers for me, thoughhe will not regard mine, because I have forsaken him and his worship.Besought - To assure Jeroboam, that what he had said, was not fromill - will to him, and that he heartily desired his reformation, and not hisruin. Restored - Because he repented of that violence, which he intendedagainst that prophet, for which God inflicted it: and that this goodnessof God to him, might have led him to repentance; or, if he continuedimpenitent, leave him without excuse.