Bible Commentaries
1 Kings 13

Introduction

Overview

1 Kings 13:1, Jeroboam’s hand withers, 1 Kings 13:6, and at the prayer of the prophet is restored; 1 Kings 13:7, The prophet departs from Beth-el; 1 Kings 13:11, An old prophet brings him back; 1 Kings 13:20, He is reproved by God, 1 Kings 13:23, slain by a lion, 1 Kings 13:26, buried by the old prophet, 1 Kings 13:31, who confirms his prophecy; 1 Kings 13:33, Jeroboam’s obstinacy.

Verse 1

there came: 1 Kings 12:22, 2 Kings 23:17, 2 Chronicles 9:29

by the word: 1 Kings 13:5, 1 Kings 13:9, 1 Kings 13:26, 1 Kings 13:32, 1 Kings 20:35, Jeremiah 25:3, 1 Thessalonians 4:15

Jeroboam: 1 Kings 12:32, 1 Kings 12:33, 2 Chronicles 26:18

burn: or, offer, Numbers 16:40, Jeremiah 11:12, Jeremiah 32:29, Malachi 1:11, Revelation 8:3

Reciprocal: Leviticus 10:1 - put incense Deuteronomy 33:1 - the man Joshua 14:6 - the man 1 Samuel 2:27 - a man 1 Samuel 9:6 - city 2 Samuel 12:1 - the Lord 1 Kings 11:26 - Jeroboam 1 Kings 13:14 - Art thou 1 Kings 13:17 - by the word 1 Kings 17:18 - O thou man 1 Kings 20:28 - there came 2 Kings 2:2 - Bethel 2 Kings 4:9 - man of God 2 Kings 8:7 - General 2 Kings 16:12 - approached 2 Kings 17:11 - burnt 2 Kings 23:16 - burned 2 Kings 23:18 - the bones of the prophet 2 Chronicles 8:14 - so had David the man of God commanded 2 Chronicles 25:7 - a man of God 2 Chronicles 26:16 - to burn Psalms 90:1 - the man Jeremiah 35:4 - a man Hosea 12:10 - have also Amos 7:13 - for 1 Timothy 6:11 - O man 2 Peter 1:21 - in old time

Verse 2

O altar: Deuteronomy 32:1, Isaiah 1:2, Isaiah 58:1, Jeremiah 22:29, Ezekiel 36:1, Ezekiel 36:4, Ezekiel 38:4, Luke 19:40

Josiah by name: 2 Kings 22:1, 2 Kings 22:2, 2 Kings 23:15-18, 2 Chronicles 34:1, 2 Chronicles 34:4-7, Isaiah 42:9, Isaiah 44:26-28, Isaiah 46:10, Isaiah 48:5-7

offer: 2 Kings 23:15-17

Reciprocal: Leviticus 10:1 - put incense Leviticus 26:30 - I will destroy 1 Kings 13:32 - the saying 1 Kings 20:35 - in the word 2 Kings 2:2 - Bethel 2 Kings 17:23 - as he had said 2 Kings 17:27 - one of the priests 2 Kings 23:16 - burned 2 Kings 23:20 - he slew 2 Chronicles 34:5 - he Ecclesiastes 3:2 - time to be born Isaiah 7:2 - the house Jeremiah 8:1 - General Ezekiel 6:4 - and I Ezekiel 37:4 - Prophesy Hosea 10:8 - their altars Amos 3:14 - I will Matthew 1:10 - Josias

Verse 3

Exodus 4:3-5, Exodus 4:8, Exodus 4:9, Exodus 7:10, Deuteronomy 13:1-3, 1 Samuel 2:34, 2 Kings 20:8, Isaiah 7:11-14, Isaiah 38:6-8, Isaiah 38:22, Jeremiah 44:29, Matthew 12:38-40, John 2:18, 1 Corinthians 1:22

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 13:2 - General 1 Kings 13:5 - General Isaiah 37:30 - this shall Isaiah 44:26 - confirmeth John 6:30 - What

Verse 4

Lay hold: 2 Chronicles 16:10, 2 Chronicles 18:25-27, 2 Chronicles 25:15, 2 Chronicles 25:16, Psalms 105:15, Jeremiah 20:2-4, Jeremiah 26:8-11, Jeremiah 26:20-23, Jeremiah 38:4-6, Amos 7:10-17, Matthew 25:40, Matthew 26:57, Mark 14:44-46, John 13:20, Acts 6:12-14

his hand: Genesis 19:11, 2 Kings 6:18-20, Jeremiah 20:4-6, Luke 3:19, Luke 3:20, Luke 6:10, John 18:6, Acts 9:4, Acts 9:5, Acts 13:8-11, Revelation 11:5

Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 12:13 - David 1 Kings 12:22 - the man Ezekiel 11:13 - when Hosea 7:5 - he stretched Zechariah 11:17 - his arm Matthew 12:10 - which Mark 3:1 - withered Luke 6:6 - there John 5:3 - withered

Verse 5

1 Kings 13:3, 1 Kings 22:28, 1 Kings 22:35, Exodus 9:18-25, Numbers 16:23-35, Deuteronomy 18:22, Jeremiah 28:16, Jeremiah 28:17, Mark 16:20, Acts 5:1-10

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 12:22 - the man 1 Kings 13:1 - by the word 1 Kings 17:16 - according 2 Kings 21:26 - Josiah John 6:30 - What

Verse 6

now: Exodus 8:8, Exodus 8:28, Exodus 9:28, Exodus 10:17, Exodus 12:32, Numbers 21:7, 1 Samuel 12:19, Jeremiah 37:3, Jeremiah 42:2-4, Acts 8:24, James 5:16, Revelation 3:9

besought: Exodus 8:12, Exodus 8:13, Numbers 12:13, 1 Samuel 12:23, Matthew 5:44, Luke 6:27, Luke 6:28, Luke 23:34, Acts 7:60, Romans 12:14, Romans 12:21, James 5:16-18

Lord: Heb. face of the Lord

Reciprocal: Genesis 20:7 - pray Numbers 12:11 - I beseech thee Deuteronomy 33:1 - the man Judges 11:8 - the elders 2 Kings 1:13 - besought Zechariah 7:2 - pray before the Lord Mark 3:5 - Stretch Luke 6:10 - Stretch

Verse 7

refresh: Genesis 18:5, Judges 13:15, Judges 19:21

I will give: As great men in the East make no presents to equals or inferiors when visited, Sir John Chardin thinks that the king intended by this to treat the prophet as his superior. 1 Samuel 9:7, 1 Samuel 9:8, 2 Kings 5:15, Jeremiah 40:5, Malachi 1:10, Acts 8:18-20, 1 Peter 5:2

Reciprocal: Judges 19:5 - Comfort 1 Kings 14:3 - And take 2 Kings 5:5 - and took

Verse 8

If: Numbers 22:18, Numbers 24:13, Exodus 5:3, Exodus 5:6, Exodus 7:2, Mark 6:23

go: 2 Kings 5:16, 2 Kings 5:26, 2 Kings 5:27, Mark 6:11, 2 Corinthians 11:9, 2 Corinthians 11:10

Reciprocal: Genesis 14:23 - That I Deuteronomy 9:9 - I neither 1 Kings 13:16 - General 1 Kings 18:4 - bread and water Ezekiel 18:11 - eaten

Verse 9

For: 1 Kings 13:1, 1 Kings 13:21, 1 Kings 13:22, 1 Samuel 15:22, Job 23:12, John 13:17, John 15:9, John 15:10, John 15:14

Eat no bread: Numbers 16:26, Deuteronomy 13:13-18, Psalms 141:4, Romans 16:17, 1 Corinthians 5:11, Ephesians 5:11, 2 John 1:10, 2 John 1:11, Revelation 18:4

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 9:9 - I neither 1 Kings 13:16 - General 1 Kings 13:19 - General 1 Kings 13:26 - which he spake 1 Kings 18:4 - bread and water 1 Thessalonians 4:15 - by the

Verse 11

an old prophet: 1 Kings 13:20, 1 Kings 13:21, Numbers 23:4, Numbers 23:5, Numbers 24:2, 1 Samuel 10:11, 2 Kings 23:18, Ezekiel 13:2, Ezekiel 13:16, Matthew 7:22, 2 Peter 2:16

sons: Heb. son

came: 1 Timothy 3:5

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 12:22 - the man

Verse 13

1 Kings 13:27, Numbers 22:21, Judges 5:10, Judges 10:4, 2 Samuel 19:26

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 4:24 - Then she

Verse 14

sitting: 1 Kings 19:4, John 4:6, John 4:34, 1 Corinthians 4:11, 1 Corinthians 4:12, 2 Corinthians 11:27, Philippians 4:12, Philippians 4:13

Art thou: 1 Kings 13:1

Reciprocal: Joshua 14:6 - the man

Verse 16

1 Kings 13:8, 1 Kings 13:9, Genesis 3:1-3, Numbers 22:13, Numbers 22:19, Matthew 4:10, Matthew 16:23

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 18:4 - bread and water

Verse 17

It was: Heb. a word was

by the word: 1 Kings 13:1, 1 Kings 20:35, 1 Thessalonians 4:15

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 13:21 - Thus saith Romans 3:7 - if the truth

Verse 18

an angel: Numbers 22:35, Judges 6:11, Judges 6:12, Judges 13:3

But: Genesis 3:4, Genesis 3:5, Isaiah 9:15, Jeremiah 5:12, Jeremiah 5:31, Jeremiah 23:14, Jeremiah 23:17, Jeremiah 23:32, Jeremiah 28:15, Jeremiah 28:16, Ezekiel 13:9, Ezekiel 13:10, Ezekiel 13:22, Matthew 7:15, Matthew 24:24, Romans 16:18, 2 Corinthians 11:3, 2 Corinthians 11:13-15, 2 Peter 2:1, 1 John 4:1, Revelation 19:20

Reciprocal: Genesis 27:19 - I am Exodus 18:17 - not good Leviticus 19:11 - lie one Deuteronomy 13:1 - a prophet 1 Samuel 2:24 - ye make 1 Samuel 21:2 - The king 1 Kings 20:35 - in the word 2 Kings 5:22 - My master 2 Kings 18:25 - Amos I now Proverbs 11:9 - An hypocrite Isaiah 36:10 - General Jeremiah 28:11 - Thus Micah 2:11 - a man Romans 3:7 - if the truth Ephesians 4:25 - putting 1 Thessalonians 4:15 - by the 1 Timothy 4:2 - lies

Verse 19

1 Kings 13:9, Genesis 3:6, Deuteronomy 13:1, Deuteronomy 13:3, Deuteronomy 13:5, Deuteronomy 18:20, Acts 4:19, 2 Peter 2:18, 2 Peter 2:19

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 13:22 - eaten

Verse 20

the word of the Lord: "A great clamour," says Dr. Kennicott, "has been raised against this part of history, on account of God's denouncing sentence on the true prophet by the mouth of the false prophet; but if we examine with attention the original words here, they will be found to signify either he who brought him back, or, whom he had brought back; for the very same words, asher heshivo, occur again, 1 Kings 13:23, where they are now translated, whom he had brought back; and where they cannot be translated otherwise. This being the case, we are at liberty to consider the words of the Lord as delivered to the true prophet, thus brought back; and then the sentence is pronounced by God himself, calling to him out of heaven, as in Genesis 22:11. And that this doom was thus pronounced by God, not by the false prophet, we are assured in 1 Kings 13:26. The Lord hath delivered him unto the lion, according to the word of the Lord, which He spake unto him.' Josephus - and also the Arabic asserts, that the sentence was declared by God to the true prophet." Numbers 23:5, Numbers 23:16, Numbers 24:4, Numbers 24:16-24, Matthew 7:22, John 11:51, 1 Corinthians 13:2

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 13:11 - an old prophet 1 Kings 14:6 - for I am Jeremiah 1:2 - the word

Verse 21

Thus saith: 1 Kings 13:17, Genesis 3:7, Esther 6:13, Jeremiah 2:19, Galatians 1:8, Galatians 1:9

thou hast disobeyed: Leviticus 10:3, Numbers 20:12, Numbers 20:24, 1 Samuel 4:18, 1 Samuel 13:13, 1 Samuel 13:14, 1 Samuel 15:19, 1 Samuel 15:22-24, 2 Samuel 6:7, 2 Samuel 12:9-11, 2 Samuel 24:13, Revelation 3:19

Reciprocal: Numbers 20:11 - smote Deuteronomy 4:22 - General Deuteronomy 32:51 - because ye 1 Kings 13:9 - For 1 Kings 13:11 - an old prophet 1 Kings 20:36 - General 1 Chronicles 21:10 - that I may 2 Chronicles 22:9 - in Samaria Lamentations 1:18 - commandment Ezekiel 2:8 - Be 1 Corinthians 11:30 - many

Verse 22

eaten: 1 Kings 13:19

of the: 1 Kings 13:9

carcase: 1 Kings 13:30, 1 Kings 14:13, 2 Chronicles 21:19, 2 Chronicles 21:20, Isaiah 14:18-20, Jeremiah 22:18, Jeremiah 22:19

Reciprocal: Genesis 47:30 - General Deuteronomy 4:22 - General 2 Samuel 19:37 - by the grave 1 Chronicles 21:10 - that I may Ezekiel 2:8 - Be Ezekiel 18:11 - eaten Amos 8:14 - sin 1 Thessalonians 4:15 - by the

Verse 23

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 13:20 - the word of the Lord 2 Kings 4:24 - Then she

Verse 24

a lion: 1 Kings 20:36, 2 Kings 2:24, Proverbs 22:13, Proverbs 26:13, Amos 5:19, 1 Corinthians 11:31, 1 Corinthians 11:32, 1 Peter 4:17, 1 Peter 4:18

Reciprocal: Genesis 37:20 - Some Genesis 37:33 - evil beast Exodus 4:24 - sought Numbers 22:33 - surely 1 Kings 12:31 - an house 2 Kings 17:25 - the Lord sent Proverbs 11:31 - General Isaiah 38:13 - as a lion

Verse 26

the man: Leviticus 10:3, 2 Samuel 12:10, 2 Samuel 12:14, Psalms 119:120, Proverbs 11:31, Ezekiel 9:6, 1 Corinthians 11:30, Hebrews 12:28, Hebrews 12:29, 1 Peter 4:17

torn: Heb. broken

which he spake: 1 Kings 13:9

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 13:1 - by the word 1 Kings 13:20 - the word of the Lord 1 Kings 20:36 - General Jeremiah 35:4 - a man Romans 3:7 - if the truth 1 Timothy 6:11 - O man

Verse 27

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 13:13 - General

Verse 28

the lion had: All here was supernatural. The lion, though he had killed the man, yet, contrary to his nature, did not devour him, nor tear the ass, nor meddle with the travellers that passed by; while the ass stood quietly by, not fearing the lion, nor betaking himself to flight: both stood as guardians of the fallen prophet, till this extraordinary intelligence was carried into the city which rendered the miracle the more illustrious and plainly shewed that this event did not happen by chance. This concatenation of miracles marked the death of the man of God as a Divine rebuke for his disobedience in eating bread at idolatrous Beth-el; and here we see, as in various other cases, that "often judgment begins at the house of God." The true prophet, for suffering himself to be seduced by the old prophet, and for receiving that as a revelation from God which was opposed to the revelation which himself had received, and which was confirmed by so many miracles, is slain by a lion, and his body deprived of the burial of his fathers; while the wicked king and the fallen prophet are both permitted to live. 1 Kings 17:4, 1 Kings 17:6, Leviticus 10:2, Leviticus 10:5, Job 38:11, Psalms 148:7, Psalms 148:8, Jeremiah 5:22, Jeremiah 5:23, Daniel 3:22, Daniel 3:27, Daniel 3:28, Daniel 6:22-24, Acts 16:26, Hebrews 11:33, Hebrews 11:34

torn: Heb. broken

Verse 29

Reciprocal: Mark 6:29 - they came

Verse 30

mourned over: 1 Kings 14:13, Jeremiah 22:18, Acts 8:2

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 13:22 - carcase 2 Kings 23:17 - It is the sepulchre Mark 6:29 - they came

Verse 31

lay my bones: Numbers 23:10, Psalms 26:9, Ecclesiastes 8:10, Luke 16:22, Luke 16:23

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 17:32 - the houses 2 Kings 23:17 - It is the sepulchre 2 Kings 23:18 - the bones of the prophet

Verse 32

the saying: 1 Kings 13:2, 2 Kings 23:16-19

the houses: 1 Kings 12:29, 1 Kings 12:31, Leviticus 26:30

in the cities: 1 Kings 16:24, 2 Chronicles 25:13, Ezra 4:10, John 4:4, John 4:5

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 13:1 - by the word 1 Kings 21:18 - which is in Samaria 2 Kings 10:1 - in Samaria 2 Kings 23:19 - the houses Micah 1:5 - is it

Verse 33

am 3030-3050, bc 974-954

Jeroboam: 1 Kings 12:31-33, 2 Chronicles 11:15, 2 Chronicles 13:9, Amos 6:11

made again: Heb. returned and made, Psalms 78:34, Jeremiah 18:4, *marg. 2 Timothy 3:13

whosoever: Numbers 1:51, Numbers 3:10, Numbers 17:5, Numbers 17:12, Numbers 17:13

consecrated him: Heb. filled his hand, Exodus 28:41, *marg. Judges 17:12

Reciprocal: Judges 17:5 - consecrated 1 Kings 14:1 - that time 1 Kings 14:9 - hast done 1 Kings 15:26 - walked 1 Kings 15:34 - walked 1 Kings 16:2 - thou hast walked 1 Kings 16:26 - he walked 2 Kings 3:3 - he departed 2 Kings 10:29 - the sins 2 Kings 17:32 - made unto themselves 2 Chronicles 11:14 - Jeroboam 2 Chronicles 17:4 - not after Amos 7:10 - the priest Micah 1:13 - she

Verse 34

became sin: 1 Kings 12:30, 2 Kings 10:31, 2 Kings 17:21

to cut it off: 1 Kings 12:26, 1 Kings 14:10, 1 Kings 15:29, 1 Kings 15:30, Proverbs 13:6

Reciprocal: Exodus 9:15 - cut off Leviticus 14:35 - a plague Deuteronomy 6:15 - destroy Judges 17:5 - consecrated Judges 17:12 - his priest 1 Kings 14:9 - hast done 1 Kings 14:16 - who did sin 1 Kings 15:26 - walked 1 Kings 15:34 - walked 1 Kings 16:2 - thou hast walked 1 Kings 16:26 - he walked 2 Kings 10:29 - the sins 2 Chronicles 17:4 - not after Psalms 21:10 - General Jeremiah 28:16 - I will Hosea 8:4 - that they Hosea 10:8 - the sin Amos 9:8 - and I Micah 1:13 - she