1 Kings 13 - Printer Friendly

What does 1 Kings 13 mean?

Chapter Commentary:

First and Second Kings tell the stories of the Israelite kings and prophets. The books can be divided this way:

1 Kings 1—11: Solomon's reign.
1 Kings 12—15:8: The split kingdom and the first kings.
1 Kings 15:9—16:28: Evil kings of Israel and good King Asa of Judah.
1 Kings 16:29—2 Kings 2:14: Evil Ahab of Israel, good Jehoshaphat of Judah, and Elijah the prophet.
2 Kings 2:15—10:36: Elisha, prophet of Israel.
2 Kings 11:1—12:21: Joash of Judah.
2 Kings 13:1—15:38: Evil kings of Israel and good kings of Judah.
2 Kings 16: Evil king Ahaz of Judah.
2 Kings 17: Israel falls to Assyria.
2 Kings 18—20: Good king Hezekiah.
2 Kings 21: Evil kings of Judah.
2 Kings 22:1—23:30: Good king Josiah.
2 Kings 23:31—25:30: Evil kings of Judah and the Babylonian exile.

After Solomon's idolatry and death, God splits the nation between Solomon's son Rehoboam and the former construction superintendent Jeroboam (1 Kings 12:1–24). Jeroboam immediately creates a false religion to consolidate his rule (1 Kings 12:25–33). God sends prophets to curse the religion, the king, and the nation (1 Kings 13—14).

Jeroboam is offering sacrifices at the altar he built in Bethel. A young prophet from Judah arrives to curse the altar. A descendant in David's line and likeness, Josiah, will burn the false priests' bones on the stones. In confirmation, the altar will tear apart, like the nation and Abijah's cloak (1 Kings 11:11–13, 30–31). Jeroboam orders the guards to arrest the prophet, but Jeroboam's pointing arm immediately atrophies and stiffens. At that moment, the altar breaks into pieces, spilling ashes onto the temple floor (1 Kings 13:1–5)

The afflicted king begs the prophet to ask God to heal his arm. God agrees. Jeroboam asks the prophet to eat with him. The prophet refuses. Sharing a meal would be a sign of fellowship between the God he serves and the evil king. And God ordered him not to eat or drink until he returns to Judah (1 Kings 13:6–10).

An older prophet, still living in Bethel, hears what's happened. He finds the young prophet resting under a tree and invites him to dine. The young prophet refuses until the old man tells him that an angel of the Lord told him to extend the invitation. The young prophet returns to Bethel (1 Kings 13:11–19).

Then the old prophet receives God's word: the young prophet has disobeyed God's order not to eat or drink in Israel. He will die and be buried away from his family. The young prophet leaves on a donkey, and a lion kills him on the road. Passers-by are stunned to see a lion and a donkey calmly standing next to a dead man (1 Kings 13:20–25).

The old prophet brings the body home and buries it in his family tomb. He tells his sons that when he dies, they should lay his body with the young man's. Being buried with someone affirms a close connection. The old man also affirms the prophecy. He's right. About 300 years later, about 100 years after the northern kingdom of Israel is taken to Assyria, Josiah will rip open the graves of the false priests and burn their bones on the altars at Bethel and the high places. While Josiah is in Bethel (2 Kings 23:15–20), he'll see and honor the monument at the two prophets' tomb (1 Kings 13:26–32).

Jeroboam continues to enforce his false religion. Instead of using only Levites, he makes priests of any willing person and builds more high places. God had promised Jeroboam a dynasty if he obeyed Him. Because of his great sin (1 Kings 15:25–30), God will end his family forever (1 Kings 13:33–34).

This passage leaves the reader with many questions. Why did the young prophet stop on the road when Bethel was quite close to Judah? Why were the old prophet's sons at Jeroboam's service? Why did the old prophet lie? Why did the young prophet believe the old prophet? Why hadn't the old prophet moved to Judah with the Levites (2 Chronicles 11:13–17)? Why didn't God punish the old prophet for lying? As with other Scriptures lacking detail, the Holy Spirit's inspiration compels us to focus on what is written (1 Corinthians 4:6). It makes no impact on God's sovereignty whether a nation or an otherwise faithful prophet abandons God. The "word of the Lord," mentioned some ten times in this chapter, stands. God expects obedience and right worship, whether from a king or a young prophet.

God isn't finished with Jeroboam. Although he will have a long reign (1 Kings 14:20), it will be filled with tragedy and foreboding. His young son will die (1 Kings 14:17). Another son will only reign for two years (1 Kings 15:25) before another man, Baasha, assassinates him and murders his family (1 Kings 15:27–30). What God intended to be a dynasty barely lasts two generations (1 Kings 11:38).

First Kings 13:1–10 records God's judgment on the Israelites' false religion. Jeroboam's new cult captivates the infant nation (1 Kings 12:25–33). While the king assumes priestly duties, a prophet from Judah arrives and curses the altar. Jeroboam tries to stop the prophet, but his arm atrophies and locks up. The altar falls apart. Ash spreads across the floor. God heals Jeroboam's arm. Still, the prophet will not make any other sign of God's favor (1 Kings 13:6–10). Three centuries later, Josiah will burn the false priests' bones on the restored altar, fulfilling the prophecy (2 Kings 23:15–20).

First Kings 13:20–25 shows God judging His prophet. The young man had the courage to confront Jeroboam's idolatrous altar (1 Kings 13:1–5). The prophet obeyed God's instruction and refused the king's offer of food and reward (1 Kings 13:6–10). But he foolishly followed an older, dishonest prophet back to Bethel to eat, inferring God's fellowship with the evil city. In judgment for the young prophet's disobedience, God sends a lion to kill him. The old man buries him in his own tomb and makes plans to join him upon his own death (1 Kings 13:26–32).

First Kings 13:26–32 depicts a liar honoring his victim. A prophet from Judah cursed the altar of Israel. An old prophet deceived him into breaking God's direct command. God sent the old man a prophecy: for his disobedience, the young man would die. The young prophet left, and a lion killed him (1 Kings 13:1–24). The old man inters him in the family tomb and tells his sons to bury him with the young prophet when he dies. Three hundred years later, king Josiah will honor the young prophet's monument and fulfill his prophecy (2 Kings 23:15–18).

First Kings 13:33–34 is the end of a segment that began in 1 Kings 12:25. Jeroboam created a new religion outside of Jerusalem (1 Kings 12:25–33). He won't turn from it. His name will symbolize wickedness and idolatry for generations to come. In return, God curses Jeroboam's dynasty and nation (1 Kings 14:14–16). His male descendants will be killed two years after his son takes the throne (1 Kings 15:25–30). Assyria will destroy Israel about 150 years later (2 Kings 17:6).

Chapter Summary:

This passage describes God's judgment on false religion. Jeroboam made temples for golden calves to keep his people from worshiping in Jerusalem (1 Kings 12:25–33). A prophet from Judah arrives and warns that the altar will break now and be desecrated later. An old prophet tricks the younger man into disobeying God. In judgment, God sends a lion to kill the young prophet. The old prophet mourns and buries him in his own tomb in Bethel. Three hundred years later, King Josiah sees the young prophet's tomb and fulfills his prophecy (2 Kings 23:15–20).

Chapter Context:

In 1 Kings 13, God begins His judgment on the northern kingdom of Israel, starting with its religion. Jeroboam has built temples and idols to keep his people from worshiping Yahweh in Jerusalem; it works (1 Kings 12:25–33). God judges false religion by breaking the altar, killing a disobedient prophet, and promising to desecrate the altar later. Later, God will curse the evil king, his dynasty, and the nation (1 Kings 14:10–11, 16). God takes his son immediately (1 Kings 14:17), his dynasty after his death (1 Kings 15:25–30), and the nation about 150 years later (2 Kings 17:6).

This was originally the first half of a combined text. First Kings records the end of David's reign and the rule of Solomon. After this, the kingdom is split in two. The northern nation of Israel no longer submits to the king of the southern nation, called Judah. The prophet Elijah first appears in this book. The kings mostly fail to honor the Lord. They participate in idolatry and other sins. This will eventually result in their conquest and exile, as depicted throughout the books of Chronicles.

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