https://esv.literalword.com/?q=1+kings+13
Observations from today’s readings and today’s S-WOD, Saturday, 20 September 2025:
1 Kings 13:1-3 — And behold, a man of God came out of Judah by the word of the LORD to Bethel. Jeroboam was standing by the altar to make offerings. And the man cried against the altar by the word of the LORD and said, “O altar, altar, thus says the LORD: ‘Behold, a son shall be born to the house of David, Josiah by name, and he shall sacrifice on you the priests of the high places….’ And he gave a sign the same day, saying, ‘This is the sign that the LORD has spoken: Behold, the altar shall be torn down, and the ashes that are on it shall be poured out.’”
Into Jeroboam’s false worship, God sends an unnamed prophet from Judah. This “man of God” boldly confronts idolatry, proclaiming judgment on the altar itself. He even foretells the coming of King Josiah (fulfilled in 2 Kings 23:15–16, 300 years later). The altar splits immediately, confirming God’s word. Notice: the true power is not in political kings but in God’s Word, which stands forever.
How many times has God used unnamed prophets to do great and wonderful things, people ready to stop what they are doing to be used by God, never receiving recognition from others, perhaps without anyone even realizing it. Perhaps, before you were a believer, someone shared Christ with you in a powerful way, yet you never caught their name. Maybe you shared Christ with someone in a lifechanging way without realizing your impact on them, and they can’t even recall your name. Pray that God will use you as an unnamed prophet every day as you make making Him known your ambition.
1 Kings 13:4-6 — When the king heard the saying of the man of God…. Jeroboam stretched out his hand… saying, “Seize him.” And his hand, which he stretched out against him, dried up, so that he could not draw it back to himself. The altar also was torn down…. And the king said to the man of God, “Entreat now the favor of the LORD your God, and pray for me”… And the man of God entreated the LORD, and the king’s hand was restored to him.
God vindicates His prophet by striking Jeroboam, then restoring him at the prophet’s prayer. Jeroboam experiences both judgment and mercy, yet his heart remains unchanged. This shows us that miracles do not necessarily produce repentance. Hardened hearts can experience God’s power yet refuse His lordship.
“Entreat now the favor of the LORD your God, and pray for me, that my hand may be restored to me.” The king was only concerned about his arm, his physical health and comfort, rather than his relationship with God and God’s anger over sin.
Consider your prayer requests. What is it you want from God? Relief, or relationship? Comfort or Christlike character (Romans 8:29)? What do you think it takes for you to become like Christ? Can you learn to love your enemies without enemies? Can you learn to remain calm and calm storms without storms? Can you learn to forgive “seventy times seven” (Matthew 18:22) times without at least that many offenses against you? Are you like Jeroboam and just want God to fix what is broken in your life rather than fixing the brokenness inside your soul, repair over reconciliation and regeneration? If God took away your challenges, would that make you the sort of person you need to be? Consider your prayers.
- Mark 10:51 — And Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?”
1 Kings 13:7-10 — And the king said to the man of God, “Come home with me, and refresh yourself, and I will give you a reward.” And the man of God said…. “If you give me half your house, I will not go in with you… for so was it commanded me by the word of the LORD, saying, ‘You shall neither eat bread nor drink water nor return by the way that you came.’” So he went another way.
The prophet resists Jeroboam’s offer. He knows obedience to God’s word is more important than political favor or material gain. God had clearly instructed him: no food, no drink, no return by the same road. His refusal models integrity, at least for now. True obedience means following God fully, without compromise, even when it looks costly or unnecessary.
1 Kings 13:11-19 — Now an old prophet lived in Bethel… He went after the man of God… and said, “Come home with me and eat bread.” And he said, “I may not return with you… for it was said to me by the word of the LORD….” And he said to him, “I also am a prophet as you are, and an angel spoke to me by the word of the LORD, saying, ‘Bring him back with you….’ But he lied to him. So he went back with him and ate bread in his house and drank water.
1 Kings 13 and 14 tell us about two terrible kings, Jeroboam and Rehoboam, and God’s judgment upon them. However, 1 Kings 13 primarily focuses on this somewhat puzzling account of an unnamed prophet sent by God to prophecy against Jeroboam. God uses this prophet in an amazing way, complete with signs and wonders, but then God judges the prophet, seemingly more harshly than he did wicked Jeroboam, for what might appear to us an understandable mistake.
The prophet was commanded by God, “You shall neither eat bread nor drink water nor return by the way that you came,” and, therefore as mentioned above, the prophet refused Jeroboam’s offer to feed him. (1 Kings 13:9) However, another prophet lied to this prophet saying, “I also am a prophet as you are, and an angel spoke to me by the word of the LORD, saying, ‘Bring him back with you into your house that he may eat bread and drink water.’” (1 Kings 13:18) The first prophet believed the lying prophet and ate and drank in opposition to God’s command, and the Lord said, “Because you have disobeyed the word of the LORD and have not kept the command that the LORD your God commanded you, but have come 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.” (1 Kings 13:21-22) Shortly thereafter, the prophet is killed by a lion on the road, and he is buried in the lying prophet’s grave. What in the world are we to take away from this story?
Even prophets must discern truth carefully, because Satan’s most dangerous weapon is not outright denial but distortion of God’s word. Like Eve in the garden, the man of God yields to a deceiving voice and disobeys.
We must not deviate from the Lord’s calling for any reason, and we must not deviate from His clear, unchanging word. Though many people in the name of God might tell us God has changed His word or has given them a new or updated revelation from God (supposedly more relevant for today or enlightened), He has not changed His word, His will, or His plan. God expects us to be faithful, and He holds us to a much higher standard than He does others. (1 Peter 4:17) Be faithful with what God has entrusted to you, and don’t let anything or anyone distract you or deceive you.
- Acts 17:11 — Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.
1 Kings 13:20-26 — As they sat at the table, the word of the LORD came to the prophet who had brought him back. And he cried to the man of God…. “Thus says the LORD, Because you have disobeyed the word of the LORD… your body shall not come to the tomb of your fathers.” And as he went away a lion met him on the road and killed him. And his body was thrown in the road, and the donkey stood beside it, and the lion also stood beside the body.
The judgment is swift and strange: the prophet is killed by a lion, yet the lion and donkey stand together without devouring or fleeing. This supernatural scene proves God’s judgment, not coincidence. Disobedience to God’s clear command, even when influenced by others, carries severe consequences. The lion becomes a sign to all Israel: God’s word is not to be trifled with.
1 Kings 13:27-32 — And the prophet who had brought him back laid the body in his own grave. And they mourned over him… saying, “Alas, my brother!” And he said… “When I die, bury me in the grave in which the man of God is buried…. For the saying that he called out by the word of the LORD against the altar in Bethel… shall surely come to pass.”
The lying prophet is shaken by the fulfillment of God’s word. He mourns the man of God and asks to be buried with him, acknowledging the truth of his prophecy. Even in judgment, God’s word is vindicated. People may doubt, distort, or deny it, but His promises always stand.
1 Kings 13:33-34 — After this thing Jeroboam did not turn from his evil way, but made priests of the high places again…. And this thing became sin to the house of Jeroboam, so as to cut it off and to destroy it from the face of the earth.
Despite everything, the split altar, the withered and healed hand, the dead prophet, Jeroboam still refuses to repent. Sin blinds and hardens. His rebellion ensures not only his downfall but the ruin of his entire house. The tragedy of Jeroboam is that he had God’s promise of a lasting dynasty if only he obeyed (1 Kings 11:38), but he chose fear and idolatry instead.
“Cross” Fit S-WOD (Spiritual Workout of the Day) – 20 September 2025: This chapter warns us about compromise and discernment. The man of God began well but failed to finish well because he listened to a lie instead of holding fast to God’s clear word. Jeroboam experienced God’s power but hardened his heart further in sin. Today, ask yourself: Am I tempted to soften God’s word because of pressure, persuasion, or fear? Am I living by what God has already spoken, or by voices that flatter and deceive? The enemy often masquerades as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14). Stay anchored to Scripture, test every word against it, and obey without compromise.
Pray: “Father, Your word is truth, unchanging and trustworthy. Forgive me for the times I have compromised or listened to voices that contradicted Your clear commands. Give me discernment to recognize deception, courage to obey You fully, and endurance to finish well. Keep me from the pride of Jeroboam and the compromise of the man of God. Teach me to live by every word that comes from Your mouth. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
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