And he found the man of God under an oak. I Kings xiii. 14.
The Man of God, who had overcome the temptation to disobedience, presented to him by Jeroboam's alluring appeal, was himself overcome by another form of temptation; and the lesson of his fall is, that relaxation from duty, and false security, expose the unwary to the most dangerous power of temptation. All was going well with the Messenger to the King, so long as he was intent upon doing his duty according to the directions given him. He did well in not accepting the King's invitation, and in not tarrying at Bethel at all, nor returning the same way he came. Thus far he had prospered in his mission, when he seems to have become less attentive to his orders, and he is seen beginning to slacken his pace, till, finally, he even sits down to rest himself beneath a shady tree by the wayside.
While thus reposing he was overtaken by an old prophet, who had followed him for the purpose of bringing him back to his dwelling at Bethel. Had he been pursuing his way, instead of sitting down under an oak, the old prophet might not have overtaken him; or if he had, it may be presumed that he would not have succeeded in turning Shemaiah back from his proper course. The Man of God was unwavering in his fidelity until he sat down under the oak, and indulged himself in what did not belong to him then and there. In this unguarded state he was unprepared for a new form of temptation. Thus exposed, he was overpersuaded by one professing to be likewise a prophet, and claiming a special commission from Heaven, in relation to him. Without demanding the pretender's credentials, he goes back with the tempter to eat bread and drink water at Bethel, contrary to the command of God. The beginning of his fall was in availing himself of the tempting shade of the oak.
