1 Kings Chapter 13 — The Prophecy Against Bethel
A prophet from Judah warns King Jeroboam of judgment but is later killed by a lion after being deceived into disobeying God's specific commands.
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Notable Verses
1 Kings 13:2
“Altar! Altar! The LORD says: ‘Behold, a son will be born to David’s house, Josiah by name. On you he will sacrifice the priests of the high places who burn incense on you, and they will burn men’s bones on you.’”
This verse contains a specific prophecy naming King Josiah centuries before his birth.
1 Kings 13:4
“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.”
This immediate physical sign demonstrated the authority and divine backing of the prophet's message.
1 Kings 13:18
“He said to him, “I also am a prophet as you are; and an angel spoke to me by the LORD’s word, saying, ‘Bring him back with you into your house, that he may eat bread and drink water.’ ” He lied to him.”
This verse highlights the deception that led to the man of God's downfall and eventual death.
Chapter Summary
1 Kings 13 describes a man of God from Judah who travels to Bethel to denounce King Jeroboam's idolatrous altar. He prophesies that a descendant of David named Josiah will one day destroy the altar and sacrifice its priests. When Jeroboam tries to arrest him, the king's hand withers, though it is miraculously healed through the prophet's prayer. Despite a divine command to not eat or drink in Bethel, the man of God is tricked by an old local prophet who lies, claiming an angel told him to offer hospitality. Because of this disobedience, the man of God is killed by a lion while traveling home. The chapter concludes by noting that Jeroboam did not turn from his evil ways but continued to appoint unauthorized priests for his high places, a sin that would eventually lead to the destruction of his house.
Frequently Asked Questions
The man of God prophesied that a king named Josiah would be born to the house of David. He stated that Josiah would sacrifice the priests of the high places on that very altar and burn human bones upon it to desecrate it.
He was killed because he disobeyed God's specific instruction not to eat bread or drink water in Bethel. Although he was deceived by another prophet who lied to him, he was still held accountable for failing to follow the original word of the Lord.
When Jeroboam pointed his hand at the prophet and ordered his arrest, his hand immediately withered and became paralyzed. It was only restored after the king asked the man of God to intercede and pray for him to the Lord.
No, the text explicitly states that after these events, Jeroboam did not turn from his evil way. He continued to appoint priests from among all the people for his high places, regardless of whether they were from the tribe of Levi.
Study Note
The fulfillment of the prophecy regarding Josiah, named here in verse 2, occurs approximately 300 years later during the reforms recorded in 2 Kings 23.
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