← Back to 1 Kings

1 Kings 13

34 verses

TL;DR

A prophet from Judah declares a future Davidic king and condemns the worship at Bethel, Jeroboam’s hand is miraculously healed, a disobedient prophet is killed by a lion, and the narrative concludes with Jeroboam’s downfall.

Summary

The chapter opens with a prophet from Judah in Bethel pronouncing that a Davidic heir, Josiah, will be born and that Jeroboam’s high‑place worship will be destroyed. Jeroboam hears this and his hand, which he had put out at the altar, is healed after the prophet restores it. The prophet demands a reward but refuses to return with Jeroboam, citing a divine command to avoid the same road and to not eat bread or drink water. An old prophet in Bethel and his sons encounter the prophet, but they disobey the same command, bringing him back, eating, and drinking, leading to his death at the hands of a lion. The lion’s act fulfills the prophet’s earlier warning that disobedience will bring death. The chapter ends with the burial of the prophet, a prophecy of burial beside the prophet’s grave, and Jeroboam’s continued idolatry and eventual ruin.

Outline
  1. 1. Prophecy of Josiah’s birth and condemnation of Bethel worship
  2. 2. Miracle of Jeroboam’s hand and the prophet’s refusal to return
  3. 3. Disobedience of the prophet’s sons, the lion’s death, and Jeroboam’s downfall
Themes
Prophecy and divine judgmentObedience vs. disobedienceThe power of miraclesThe consequences of idolatry
Keywords
prophetaltarjudgmentobediencerestorationlionidolatryhigh placeshandassoak
People
JeroboamMan of God from JudahOld Prophet of BethelSons of the Old ProphetProphet who brings him back
Places
BethelJudahSamariathe waythe city where the old prophet dweltthe sepulchre of his fathers
Things
altarasheshanddonkey (ass)oakbreadwaterlioncarcasshigh placespriest
Key Verses
  • 1 Kings 13:1: Introduction of the prophet’s message and prophecy of a Davidic king.
  • 1 Kings 13:4: Jeroboam’s hand is healed, demonstrating divine power.
  • 1 Kings 13:18-22: The prophet’s sons’ disobedience leads to his death, fulfilling the earlier warning.
  • 1 Kings 13:33-34: Jeroboam’s continued idolatry and its disastrous outcome.
Questions
  • What does the miracle of Jeroboam’s hand signify about the authority of prophets?
  • Why does the prophet refuse to return with Jeroboam after his hand is restored?
  • How does the narrative link disobedience with the lion’s killing of the prophet?
  • What does the burial of the prophet beside his bones imply about covenant fidelity?
  • In what ways does Jeroboam’s fate illustrate the consequences of idolatry?
Sentiment

mixed
The narrative includes both miraculous restoration and harsh judgment, reflecting a complex moral tone.