1 Kings Chapter 13

Commentary

Jeroboam's Hand Withers

1And, behold, there came a man of God out of Judah by the word of the LORD unto Bethel: and Jeroboam stood by the altar to burn incense. 2And he cried against the altar in the word of the LORD, and said, O altar, altar, thus saith the LORD; Behold, a child shall be born unto the house of David, Josiah by name; and upon thee shall he offer the priests of the high places that burn incense upon thee, and men's bones shall be burnt upon thee. 3And he gave a sign the same day, saying, This is the sign which the LORD hath spoken; Behold, the altar shall be rent, and the ashes that are upon it shall be poured out. 4And it came to pass, when king Jeroboam heard the saying of the man of God, which had cried against the altar in Bethel, that he put forth his hand from the altar, saying, Lay hold on him. And his hand, which he put forth against him, dried up, so that he could not pull it in again to him. 5The 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. 6And the king answered and said unto the man of God, Intreat now the face of the LORD thy God, and pray for me, that my hand may be restored me again. And the man of God besought the LORD, and the king's hand was restored him again, and became as it was before. 7And the king said unto the man of God, Come home with me, and refresh thyself, and I will give thee a reward. 8And the man of God said unto the king, If thou wilt give me half thine house, I will not go in with thee, neither will I eat bread nor drink water in this place: 9For so was it charged me by the word of the LORD, saying, Eat no bread, nor drink water, nor turn again by the same way that thou camest. 10So he went another way, and returned not by the way that he came to Bethel.

The Prophet's Disobedience

(Leviticus 20:1-9; Leviticus 26:14-39; Deuteronomy 28:15-68; 1 Samuel 15:1-9)

11Now there dwelt an old prophet in Bethel; and his sons came and told him all the works that the man of God had done that day in Bethel: the words which he had spoken unto the king, them they told also to their father. 12And their father said unto them, What way went he? For his sons had seen what way the man of God went, which came from Judah. 13And he said unto his sons, Saddle me the ass. So they saddled him the ass: and he rode thereon, 14And went after the man of God, and found him sitting under an oak: and he said unto him, Art thou the man of God that camest from Judah? And he said, I am. 15Then he said unto him, Come home with me, and eat bread. 16And he said, I may not return with thee, nor go in with thee: neither will I eat bread nor drink water with thee in this place: 17For it was said to me by the word of the LORD, Thou shalt eat no bread nor drink water there, nor turn again to go by the way that thou camest. 18He said unto him, I am a prophet also as thou art; and an angel spake unto me by the word of the LORD, saying, Bring him back with thee into thine house, that he may eat bread and drink water. But he lied unto him. 19So he went back with him, and did eat bread in his house, and drank water.

20And it came to pass, as they sat at the table, that the word of the LORD came unto the prophet that brought him back: 21And he cried unto the man of God that came from Judah, saying, Thus saith the LORD, Forasmuch as thou hast disobeyed the mouth of the LORD, and hast not kept the commandment which the LORD thy God commanded thee, 22But camest back, and hast eaten bread and drunk water in the place, of the which the LORD did say to thee, Eat no bread, and drink no water; thy carcase shall not come unto the sepulchre of thy fathers. 23And it came to pass, after he had eaten bread, and after he had drunk, that he saddled for him the ass, to wit, for the prophet whom he had brought back. 24And when he was gone, a lion met him by the way, and slew him: and his carcase was cast in the way, and the ass stood by it, the lion also stood by the carcase. 25And, behold, men passed by, and saw the carcase cast in the way, and the lion standing by the carcase: and they came and told it in the city where the old prophet dwelt.

26And when the prophet that brought him back from the way heard thereof, he said, It is the man of God, who was disobedient unto the word of the LORD: therefore the LORD hath delivered him unto the lion, which hath torn him, and slain him, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake unto him. 27And he spake to his sons, saying, Saddle me the ass. And they saddled him. 28And he went and found his carcase cast in the way, and the ass and the lion standing by the carcase: the lion had not eaten the carcase, nor torn the ass. 29And the prophet took up the carcase of the man of God, and laid it upon the ass, and brought it back: and the old prophet came to the city, to mourn and to bury him. 30And he laid his carcase in his own grave; and they mourned over him, saying, Alas, my brother! 31And it came to pass, after he had buried him, that he spake to his sons, saying, When I am dead, then bury me in the sepulchre wherein the man of God is buried; lay my bones beside his bones: 32For the saying which he cried by the word of the LORD against the altar in Bethel, and against all the houses of the high places which are in the cities of Samaria, shall surely come to pass.

33After this thing Jeroboam returned not from his evil way, but made again of the lowest of the people priests of the high places: whosoever would, he consecrated him, and he became one of the priests of the high places. 34And this thing became sin unto the house of Jeroboam, even to cut it off, and to destroy it from off the face of the earth.

King James Bible

Text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.

Jeroboam’s Hand Withers
(2 Kings 23:4–20; 2 Chronicles 34:3–7)

1 Behold, there came a man of God out of Judah by the word of Yahweh to Beth El: and Jeroboam was standing by the altar to burn incense. 2 He cried against the altar by the word of Yahweh, and said, “Altar, altar, thus says Yahweh: ‘Behold, a son shall be born to the house of David, Josiah by name. On you he shall sacrifice the priests of the high places who burn incense on you, and they will burn men’s bones on you.’” 3 He gave a sign the same day, saying, “This is the sign which Yahweh has spoken: Behold, the altar will be split apart, and the ashes that are on it will be poured out.” 4 It happened, when the king heard the saying of the man of God, which he cried against the altar in Bethel, that Jeroboam put out his hand from the altar, saying, “Seize him!” His hand, which he put out against him, dried up, so that he could not draw it back again to himself. 5 The altar also was split apart, and the ashes poured out from the altar, according to the sign which the man of God had given by the word of Yahweh. 6 The king answered the man of God, “Now entreat the favor of Yahweh your God, and pray for me, that my hand may be restored me again.” The man of God entreated Yahweh, and the king’s hand was restored him again, and became as it was before. 7 The king said to the man of God, “Come home with me, and refresh yourself, and I will give you a reward.” 8 The man of God said to the king, “Even if you gave me half of your house, I would not go in with you, neither would I eat bread nor drink water in this place; 9 for so was it commanded me by the word of Yahweh, saying, ‘You shall eat no bread, nor drink water, neither return by the way that you came.’” 10 So he went another way, and didn’t return by the way that he came to Bethel.

The Old Prophet and the Man of God

11 Now there lived an old prophet in Bethel; and one of his sons came and told him all the works that the man of God had done that day in Bethel. They also told their father the words which he had spoken to the king. 12 Their father said to them, “Which way did he go?” Now his sons had seen which way the man of God went, who came from Judah. 13 He said to his sons, “Saddle the donkey for me.” So they saddled the donkey for him; and he rode on it. 14 He went after the man of God, and found him sitting under an oak. He said to him, “Are you the man of God who came from Judah?” He said, “I am.” 15 Then he said to him, “Come home with me, and eat bread.” 16 He said, “I may not return with you, nor go in with you; neither will I eat bread nor drink water with you in this place. 17 For it was said to me by the word of Yahweh, ‘You shall eat no bread nor drink water there, nor turn again to go by the way that you came.’” 18 He said to him, “I also am a prophet as you are; and an angel spoke to me by the word of Yahweh, saying, ‘Bring him back with you into your house, that he may eat bread and drink water.’” He lied to him. 19 So he went back with him, and ate bread in his house, and drank water.

20 It happened, as they sat at the table, that the word of Yahweh came to the prophet who brought him back; 21 and he cried to the man of God who came from Judah, saying, “Thus says Yahweh, ‘Because you have been disobedient to the mouth of Yahweh, and have not kept the commandment which Yahweh your God commanded you, 22 but came back, and have eaten bread and drunk water in the place of which he said to you, “Eat no bread, and drink no water;” your body shall not come to the tomb of your fathers.’” 23 It happened, after he had eaten bread, and after he had drunk, that he saddled the donkey for the prophet whom he had brought back. 24 When he had gone, a lion met him by the way, and killed him. His body was cast in the way, and the donkey stood by it. The lion also stood by the body. 25 Behold, men passed by, and saw the body cast in the way, and the lion standing by the body; and they came and told it in the city where the old prophet lived.

26 When the prophet who brought him back from the way heard of it, he said, “It is the man of God who was disobedient to the mouth of Yahweh. Therefore Yahweh has delivered him to the lion, which has mauled him and slain him, according to the word of Yahweh, which he spoke to him.” 27 He spoke to his sons, saying, “Saddle the donkey for me.” They saddled it. 28 He went and found his body cast in the way, and the donkey and the lion standing by the body. The lion had not eaten the body, nor mauled the donkey. 29 The prophet took up the body of the man of God, and laid it on the donkey, and brought it back. He came to the city of the old prophet to mourn, and to bury him. 30 He laid his body in his own grave; and they mourned over him, saying, “Alas, my brother!” 31 It happened, after he had buried him, that he spoke to his sons, saying, “When I am dead, then bury me in the tomb in which the man of God is buried. Lay my bones beside his bones. 32 For the saying which he cried by the word of Yahweh against the altar in Bethel, and against all the houses of the high places which are in the cities of Samaria, will surely happen.”

33 After this thing Jeroboam didn’t return from his evil way, but again made priests of the high places from among all the people. Whoever wanted to, he consecrated him, that there might be priests of the high places. 34 This thing became sin to the house of Jeroboam, even to cut it off, and to destroy it from off the surface of the earth.

Jeroboam’s Hand Withers
(2 Kings 23:4–20; 2 Chronicles 34:3–7)

1 Suddenly, as Jeroboam was standing beside the altar to burn incense, there came a man of God from Judah to Bethel by the word of the LORD. 2 And he cried out against the altar by the word of the LORD, “O altar, O altar, this is what the LORD says: ‘A son named Josiah will be born to the house of David, and upon you he will sacrifice the priests of the high places who burn incense upon you, and human bones will be burned upon you.’ ” a

3 That day the man of God gave a sign, saying, “The LORD has spoken this sign: ‘Surely the altar will be split apart, and the ashes upon it will be poured out.’ ”

4 Now when King Jeroboam, who was at the altar in Bethel, heard the word that the man of God had cried out against it, he stretched out his hand and said, “Seize him!” But the hand he stretched out toward him withered, so that he could not pull it back. 5 And the altar was split apart, and the ashes poured out, according to the sign that the man of God had given by the word of the LORD.

6 Then the king responded to the man of God, “Intercede with the LORD your God and pray that my hand may be restored.”

So the man of God interceded with the LORD, and the king’s hand was restored to him as it was before.

7 Then the king said to the man of God, “Come home with me and refresh yourself, and I will give you a reward.”

8 But the man of God replied, “If you were to give me half your possessions, I still would not go with you, nor would I eat bread or drink water in this place. 9 For this is what I was commanded by the word of the LORD: ‘You must not eat bread or drink water or return by the way you came.’ ”

10 So the man of God went another way and did not return by the way he had come to Bethel.

The Old Prophet and the Man of God

11 Now a certain old prophet was living in Bethel, and his sons b came and told him all the deeds that the man of God had done that day in Bethel. They also told their father the words that the man had spoken to the king.

12 “Which way did he go?” their father asked.

And his sons showed him c the way taken by the man of God, who had come from Judah. 13 So the prophet said to his sons, “Saddle the donkey for me.”

Then they saddled the donkey for him, and he mounted it 14 and went after the man of God. He found him sitting under an oak tree d and asked, “Are you the man of God who came from Judah?”

“I am,” he replied.

15 So the prophet said to the man of God, “Come home with me and eat some bread.”

16 But the man replied, “I cannot return with you or eat bread or drink water with you in this place. 17 For I have been told by the word of the LORD: ‘You must not eat bread or drink water there or return by the way you came.’ ”

18 Then the prophet replied, “I too am a prophet like you, and an angel spoke to me by the word of the LORD, saying, ‘Bring him back with you to your house, so that he may eat bread and drink water.’ ”

The old prophet was lying to him, 19 but the man of God went back with him, ate bread in his house, and drank water.

20 While they were sitting at the table, the word of the LORD came to the prophet who had brought him back, 21 and the prophet cried out to the man of God who had come from Judah, “This is what the LORD says: ‘Because you have defied the word of the LORD and have not kept the commandment that the LORD your God gave you, 22 but you went back and ate bread and drank water in the place where He told you not to do so, your body shall never reach the tomb of your fathers.’ ”

23 And after the man of God had finished eating and drinking, the old prophet who had brought him back saddled the donkey for him. 24 As he went on his way, a lion met him on the road and killed him, and his body was left lying in the road, with the donkey and the lion standing beside it.

25 And there were men passing by who saw the body lying in the road with the lion standing beside it, and they went and reported this in the city where the old prophet lived.

26 When the prophet who had brought him back from his journey heard this, he said, “It is the man of God who disobeyed the command of the LORD. Therefore the LORD has delivered him to the lion, and it has mauled him and killed him, according to the word that the LORD had spoken to him.”

27 Then the old prophet instructed his sons, “Saddle the donkey for me.” So they saddled it, 28 and he went and found the body lying in the road, with the donkey and the lion standing beside it. The lion had not eaten the body or mauled the donkey. 29 So the old prophet lifted up the body of the man of God, laid it on the donkey, and brought it back to his own city to mourn for him and bury him. 30 Then he laid the body in his own tomb, and they lamented over him, “Oh, my brother!”

31 After he had buried him, the prophet said to his sons, “When I die, you must bury me in the tomb where the man of God is buried. Lay my bones beside his bones, 32 for the message that he cried out by the word of the LORD against the altar in Bethel and against all the shrines on the high places in the cities of Samaria will surely come to pass.”

33 Even after these events, Jeroboam did not repent of his evil ways, but again he appointed priests for the high places from every class of people. He ordained anyone who desired to be a priest of the high places. 34 And this was the sin of the house of Jeroboam that led to its extermination and destruction from the face of the earth.

 

Footnotes:

2 a See 2 Kings 23:16.
11 b LXX, Syriac, and Vulgate; Hebrew son
12 c LXX; Hebrew had seen
14 d Or a terebinth  or a great tree

Jeroboam's Hand Withers

1And lo, a man of God hath come from Judah, by the word of Jehovah, unto Beth-El, and Jeroboam is standing by the altar -- to make perfume; 2and he calleth against the altar, by the word of Jehovah, and saith, 'Altar! altar! thus said Jehovah, Lo, a son is born to the house of David -- Josiah his name -- and he hath sacrificed on thee the priests of the high places who are making perfume on thee, and bones of man are burnt on thee.' 3And he hath given on that day a sign, saying, 'This is the sign that Jehovah hath spoken, Lo, the altar is rent, and the ashes poured forth that are on it.' 4And it cometh to pass, at the king's hearing the word of the man of God that he calleth against the altar in Beth-El, that Jeroboam putteth forth his hand from off the altar, saying, 'Catch him;' and his hand is dried up that he hath put forth against him, and he is not able to bring it back unto him, 5and the altar is rent, and the ashes poured forth from the altar, according to the sign that the man of God had given by the word of Jehovah. 6And the king answereth and saith unto the man of God, 'Appease, I pray thee, the face of Jehovah thy God, and pray for me, and my hand doth come back unto me;' and the man of God appeaseth the face of Jehovah, and the hand of the king cometh back unto him, and it is as at the beginning. 7And the king speaketh unto the man of God, 'Come in with me to the house, and refresh thyself, and I give to thee a gift.' 8And the man of God saith unto the king, 'If thou dost give to me the half of thine house, I do not go in with thee, nor do I eat bread, nor do I drink water, in this place; 9for so He commanded me by the word of Jehovah, saying, Thou dost not eat bread nor drink water, nor turn back in the way that thou hast come.' 10And he goeth on in another way, and hath not turned back in the way in which he came in unto Beth-El.

The Prophet's Disobedience

(Leviticus 20:1-9; Leviticus 26:14-39; Deuteronomy 28:15-68; 1 Samuel 15:1-9)

11And a certain aged prophet is dwelling in Beth-El, and his son cometh and recounteth to him all the deed that the man of God hath done to-day in Beth-El, the words that he hath spoken unto the king, -- yea, they recount them to their father. 12And their father saith unto them, 'Where is this -- the way he hath gone?' and his sons see the way that the man of God hath gone who came from Judah. 13And he saith unto his sons, 'Saddle for me the ass,' and they saddle for him the ass, and he rideth on it, 14and goeth after the man of God, and findeth him sitting under the oak, and saith unto him, 'Art thou the man of God who hast come from Judah?' and he saith, 'I am.' 15And he saith unto him, 'Come with me to the house, and eat bread.' 16And he saith, 'I am not able to turn back with thee, and to go in with thee, nor do I eat bread or drink with thee water in this place, 17for a word is unto me by the word of Jehovah, Thou dost not eat bread nor drink there water, thou dost not turn back to go in the way in which thou camest.' 18And he saith to him, 'I also am a prophet like thee, and a messenger spake unto me by the word of Jehovah, saying, Bring him back with thee unto thy house, and he doth eat bread and drink water;' -- he hath lied to him. 19And he turneth back with him, and eateth bread in his house, and drinketh water.

20And it cometh to pass -- they are sitting at the table -- and a word of Jehovah is unto the prophet who brought him back, 21and he calleth unto the man of God who came from Judah, saying, 'Thus said Jehovah, Because that thou hast provoked the mouth of Jehovah, and hast not kept the command that Jehovah thy God charged thee, 22and turnest back and dost eat bread and drink water in the place of which He said unto thee, Thou dost not eat bread nor drink water -- thy carcase cometh not in unto the burying-place of thy fathers.' 23And it cometh to pass, after his eating bread, and after his drinking, that he saddleth for him the ass, for the prophet whom he had brought back, 24and he goeth, and a lion findeth him in the way, and putteth him to death, and his carcase is cast in the way, and the ass is standing near it, and the lion is standing near the carcase. 25And lo, men are passing by, and see the carcase cast in the way, and the lion standing near the carcase, and they come and speak of it in the city in which the old prophet is dwelling.

26And the prophet who brought him back out of the way heareth and saith, 'It is the man of God who provoked the mouth of Jehovah, and Jehovah giveth him to the lion, and it destroyeth him, and putteth him to death, according to the word of Jehovah that he spake to him.' 27And he speaketh unto his sons saying, 'Saddle for me the ass,' and they saddle it. 28And he goeth and findeth his carcase cast in the way, and the ass and the lion are standing near the carcase -- the lion hath not eaten the carcase nor destroyed the ass. 29And the prophet taketh up the carcase of the man of God, and placeth it on the ass, and bringeth it back, and the old prophet cometh in unto the city to mourn and to bury him, 30and he placeth his carcase in his own grave, and they mourn for him, 'Oh, my brother!' 31And it cometh to pass, after his burying him, that he speaketh unto his sons, saying, 'At my death -- ye have buried me in the burying-place in which the man of God is buried; near his bones place my bones; 32for the word certainly cometh to pass that he called by the word of Jehovah concerning the altar which is Beth-El, and concerning all the houses of the high places that are in cities of Samaria.'

33After this thing Jeroboam hath not turned from his evil way, and turneth back, and maketh of the extremities of the people priests of high places; he who is desirous he consecrateth his hand, and he is of the priests of the high places. 34And in this thing is the sin of the house of Jeroboam, even to cut it off, and to destroy it from off the face of the ground.

The F.O.G Commentary:

1What is the meaning of 1 Kings 13?
2Introduction to 1 Kings 13
3Context of 1 Kings 13
4Ancient Key Word Study
5Compare & Contrast
61 Kings 13 Unique Insights
71 Kings 13 Connections to Yeshua
81 Kings 13 Scriptural Echoes
91 Kings 13 Devotional
10Did You Know

What is the meaning of 1 Kings 13?

Introduction to 1 Kings 13

1 Kings 13 presents a dramatic narrative of divine judgment and mercy, centering on an unnamed prophet from Judah who confronts King Jeroboam at Bethel. This chapter serves as a pivotal moment in Israel’s history, demonstrating God’s unwavering standards for obedience and the serious consequences of spiritual compromise. The story unfolds with supernatural elements—a withered hand, a split altar, and prophetic predictions—all serving to underscore the authority of God’s word and the importance of complete submission to His commands.

Azrta box final advert

Context of 1 Kings 13

This chapter occurs during a critical period in Israel’s history, following the division of Solomon’s kingdom. Jeroboam, ruling the northern kingdom, had established an alternative worship system with golden calves at Bethel and Dan to prevent his people from traveling to Jerusalem for worship. This political move directly contradicted God’s established worship system and represented a significant departure from true faith in יהוה (Yahweh).

The larger biblical narrative places this chapter within the context of God’s continuous efforts to maintain His covenant relationship with His people, despite human tendencies toward idolatry and compromise. It echoes similar confrontations between prophets and kings throughout Scripture, such as Moses before Pharaoh (Exodus 5:1) and Elijah before Ahab (1 Kings 18:17-18). The chapter serves as a warning about the dangers of false worship and the importance of complete obedience to God’s word.

Ancient Key Word Study

  • מִזְבֵּ֖חַ (mizbeach) – “altar”: This word appears frequently in the chapter and carries deep significance in Hebrew worship. Beyond its physical meaning as a place of sacrifice, it represented the meeting point between God and man. The splitting of the altar in this chapter symbolizes God’s rejection of unauthorized worship.
  • נָבִ֤יא (navi) – “prophet”: The term emphasizes one who speaks by divine inspiration. In this chapter, we see both true and false prophets, highlighting the biblical theme of discernment between authentic and counterfeit spiritual authority.
  • דְּבַר־יְהוָה֙ (devar-YHWH) – “word of the LORD”: This phrase appears multiple times, emphasizing divine authority. It’s not merely communication but carries the force of creative and authoritative command, similar to God’s words in creation.
  • קָרָא֙ (qara) – “cried out”: The prophetic proclamation against the altar uses this intense verb, suggesting not just speaking but a passionate, urgent declaration of God’s message.
  • יָבֵ֑שׁ (yavesh) – “withered”: Used to describe Jeroboam’s hand, this word implies complete desiccation or drying up, symbolizing divine judgment and the removal of power and authority.
  • מוֹפֵ֔ת (mophet) – “sign”: This term specifically refers to a wonder or miracle that validates a prophetic message, similar to signs given to Moses in Exodus 4:1-9.
  • שׁוּב (shuv) – “return”: A key concept in Hebrew thought, meaning not just physical return but spiritual restoration and repentance. The prophet’s instruction not to return by the same way carries both literal and spiritual significance.
  • אָרְיֵ֔ה (aryeh) – “lion”: In biblical imagery, the lion often represents divine judgment. Here, it serves as God’s agent of discipline, yet remarkably doesn’t consume its prey, highlighting divine purpose rather than mere destruction.

Compare & Contrast

  • Verse 2’s prophecy about Josiah is remarkably specific, naming him centuries before his birth. The Hebrew construction emphasizes certainty rather than possibility, using הִנֵּה (hineh, “behold”) to stress the prophecy’s definiteness.
  • The withering of Jeroboam’s hand in verse 4 uses יָבֵ֑שׁ (yavesh) rather than other Hebrew words for physical ailment, specifically highlighting divine judgment rather than natural illness.
  • Verse 9’s prohibition against eating or drinking uses the emphatic לֹֽא־תֹאכַ֥ל לֶ֙חֶם֙ (lo-tochal lechem), literally “do not eat bread,” representing complete abstinence from sustenance rather than just partial restriction.
  • The old prophet’s deception in verse 18 employs the phrase כִּחֵ֣שׁ ל֔וֹ (kichesh lo), “he lied to him,” rather than softer terms for deception, emphasizing the deliberate nature of the falsehood.
  • The lion’s behavior in verse 24 is described using unique language that emphasizes its role as divine agent rather than natural predator, standing beside rather than consuming its prey.

1 Kings 13 Unique Insights

The chapter contains several remarkable supernatural elements that point to deeper spiritual truths. The splitting of the altar wasn’t just a demonstration of power but symbolized the fracturing of false worship systems. Ancient Jewish commentators note that the ashes pouring out represented the futility of sacrifices offered without true devotion to יהוה (Yahweh).

Can a Bible Come to Life over a Coffee?
This biblical entry has a unique origin story. Find out how it came to be—and why your visit today is about so much more than words. Get your coffee ready—God’s about to visit. But will you open the door for Him?

The specific prophecy about Josiah, made roughly three centuries before his birth, demonstrates God’s sovereignty over time and human history. This prophecy was fulfilled in precise detail, as recorded in 2 Kings 23:15-20. The Talmud discusses this prophecy as one of the most explicit predictions in Scripture, noting how it named a future king by name, something extremely rare in biblical prophecy.

The peculiar circumstances of the prophet’s death and the lion’s behavior have drawn much scholarly attention. Early rabbinic sources suggest that the lion’s refusal to eat either the prophet or the donkey, and its guard-like stance beside the body, indicated that this was a divine punishment rather than a natural occurrence. This unusual behavior served as a sign to passersby that this death had spiritual significance.

The theme of immediate consequences for disobedience, even when the disobedience seems minor or well-intentioned, reflects the high standards God sets for His prophets. The Midrash draws parallels between this incident and Moses’ striking of the rock, suggesting that spiritual leaders are held to a higher standard of obedience.

1 Kings 13 Connections to Yeshua

The unnamed prophet’s mission to confront false worship systems parallels the Messiah’s confrontations with religious corruption in His day. Just as this prophet spoke against man-made alternatives to God’s ordained worship, Yeshua challenged the religious establishments that had strayed from true devotion to God (Matthew 21:12-13).

The chapter’s emphasis on complete obedience to God’s word, even when it seems difficult or counter-intuitive, foreshadows Yeshua’s perfect obedience to the Father’s will, culminating in His sacrifice on the cross. The serious consequences for the prophet’s disobedience highlight the perfection required for our redemption, which only the Messiah could fulfill.

1 Kings 13 Scriptural Echoes

This chapter resonates with numerous biblical themes and passages. The confrontation between prophet and king echoes Moses before Pharaoh (Exodus 5:1-2) and Elijah before Ahab (1 Kings 18:17-19). The withered hand motif appears again in the New Testament when Yeshua heals a man’s withered hand (Mark 3:1-5), demonstrating His authority over both judgment and restoration.

The theme of false prophecy and the importance of testing spirits finds parallel in warnings throughout Scripture, from Moses’ cautions in Deuteronomy 13:1-5 to John’s admonition in 1 John 4:1. The specific prophecy about Josiah connects to its fulfillment in 2 Kings 23, demonstrating God’s faithfulness to His word across generations.

1 Kings 13 Devotional

This chapter challenges us to examine our own dedication to God’s word and our willingness to obey completely, even when it seems difficult or doesn’t make immediate sense. The unnamed prophet’s initial boldness in confronting Jeroboam, followed by his fatal compromise, warns us about the danger of relaxing our spiritual vigilance after moments of victory.

We’re also reminded that God’s standards don’t change based on our intentions or circumstances. The prophet’s disobedience, though seemingly minor and based on what appeared to be divine confirmation through another prophet, still carried serious consequences. This teaches us to measure everything against God’s revealed word rather than relying on human wisdom or even spiritual-sounding messages that contradict Scripture.

Did You Know

  • The altar that split in Bethel was actually discovered by archaeologists, showing evidence of repair work that may correspond to this biblical account.
  • The specific prophecy about Josiah was fulfilled approximately 290 years later, one of the longest time spans between a specific prophecy and its fulfillment in Scripture.
  • The Hebrew word for “sign” (מוֹפֵת) used in this chapter is the same word used for the miraculous signs Moses performed before Pharaoh.
  • Ancient Jewish traditions suggest that the old prophet who deceived the man of God was actually Amaziah, though the Bible doesn’t name him.
  • The location of Bethel, where these events took place, has been positively identified as modern-day Beitin, about 12 miles north of Jerusalem.
  • The practice of not returning by the same way (verse 9) was also observed by the Magi after visiting Jesus (Matthew 2:12), suggesting a spiritual principle of not retracing steps after a divine encounter.
  • The lion’s unusual behavior in not eating its prey or attacking the donkey was seen by ancient commentators as one of the most obvious supernatural elements in the story, as it completely contradicted natural lion behavior.
  • Archaeological evidence from this period shows that Jeroboam’s religious reforms included elements from both Egyptian and Canaanite worship practices.

sendagiftfinal
Have you been blessed?
This website has over 46,000 Biblical resources, made possible through the generosity of the 0.03% of supporters like you. If you’ve been blessed today, please consider sending a gift.
Bible Themes
Share your love
Jean Paul Joseph
Jean Paul Joseph

After a dramatic early morning encounter with King Jesus, I just couldn’t put my Bible down. The F.O.G took a hold of me and this website was born. What is the F.O.G?

Articles: 46827
Subscribe
Notify of
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Encounter Him Send a Gift Scroll Top