Tyndale Open Study Notes1 Kings 13

The story of the unnamed man of God who spoke against Jeroboam’s false altar at Bethel shows the authority of God’s word. This prophecy even gave a personal name connected with an event that would happen much later (2 Kings 23:15–20).

Other examples are Isaiah’s prophecy of Cyrus as a future ruler (Isaiah 44:28; 45:1) and Micah’s prophecy that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2). Prophecies like these give assurance that God is in control of history and knows all things (see Isaiah 42:9).

According to Levitical rules, ashes from sacrifices at the designated altar had to be taken to a clean place (Leviticus 1:16; 6:10–11). Jeroboam’s altar split apart, causing its ashes to pour out, making the altar and its sacrifices unclean.

Jeroboam's shoulder and arm became paralyzed, and the prophecy about the altar came true. This showed God's power and his unhappiness with Jeroboam's false religion.

the king’s hand was restored to him: God showed him mercy. This healing should have reminded Jeroboam that he could still serve God correctly.

refresh yourself: In ancient Near Eastern culture, when a king showed gratitude and offered hospitality, it also meant approval and friendship (1 Kings 13:19; see Genesis 24:52–54).

The old prophet had his reasons for finding the man of God, but he lied about getting a message from God through an angel. The man of God knew the old prophet's request went against God's instructions (1 Kings 13:8–10, 16–17; compare Galatians 1:8).

Even though the old prophet lied, God spoke through him. The harsh judgment against the man of God was that he would not be buried in his family tomb due to his disobedience. This punishment happened swiftly. Disobeying God's clear command is a serious offense (Numbers 14:21–23; Deuteronomy 11:26–28).

The donkey did not run away, and the lion did not eat the man's body. This was a supernatural event. The old prophet immediately understood that God had fulfilled his word by judging disobedience (1 Kings 13:21–22).

The old prophet likely had a simple grave. People carved these tombs out of soft limestone in a wadi (a dry stream bed) near their homes.

• the message … will surely come to pass: The Lord's quick judgment convinced the old prophet that the prediction made by the man of God against Jeroboam's altar would happen. The prophecy was fulfilled years later during Josiah's reforms (2 Kings 23:15–18).

• Samaria became the capital city of Israel during Omri's reign, the first king of Israel's third dynasty (1 Kings 16:24, 29–33). The name Samaria sometimes refers to the capital city and sometimes to the northern kingdom as a whole (2 Kings 17:24; Amos 6:1). Mentioning Samaria here shows the viewpoint of an author from a later time. Similar uses of location names elsewhere show editorial updates (compare Genesis 23:2 with Joshua 14:15; Judges 1:10).

Jeroboam knew what happened to the man of God, but it did not change his beliefs. His continued false religion, despite God's warnings, led to the downfall of his family line (1 Kings 14:7–11, 15–16; 15:27–30). Later Israelite kings followed his sinful ways, which eventually caused the northern kingdom to collapse (2 Kings 17:20–23).