1 Kings 13 Study Notes

13:20-22 Then ironically, as they ate, God spoke his true judgment through the same prophet who had just moments earlier lied. God’s judgment of the disobedient prophet from Judah is another example of his severe judgment in this book.

13:23-29 This account of the prophet’s death is full of wonders. The lion did not devour the corpse or injure the donkey. The donkey stayed put instead of running away. And the lion did not threaten the old prophet when he came to retrieve the corpse—an act of nobility and bravery in contrast to his earlier deceit. To the ancient Israelites, loss of burial with one’s own clan was a severe judgment.

13:30-32 The prophet from Judah was buried with honor and respect, and the old prophet reaffirmed the truth of the message by sharing his burial place with the dead prophet.

13:33-34 Jeroboam trivialized and profaned sacred ritual by assuming the right to ordain priests, and in doing so, forfeited his covenant with God. This second statement of judgment on Jeroboam (see notes at vv. 2-3; 14:10-11) focuses on this offense (cp. 2Kg 17:7-12).