1 Kings 13:1

KJV

¶ And, behold, there came a man of God out of Judah by the word of the LORD unto Bethel: and Jeroboam stood by the altar to burn incense.

KJV (with Strong's)

And, behold, there came {H935} a man {H376} of God {H430} out of Judah {H3063} by the word {H1697} of the LORD {H3068} unto Bethel {H1008}: and Jeroboam {H3379} stood {H5975} by the altar {H4196} to burn incense {H6999}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Just then, as Yarov'am was standing by the altar to burn incense, a man of God came out of Y'hudah, directed to Beit-El by a word from ADONAI.

Berean Standard Bible

Suddenly, as Jeroboam was standing beside the altar to burn incense, there came a man of God from Judah to Bethel by the word of the LORD.

American Standard Version

And, behold, there came a man of God out of Judah by the word of Jehovah unto Beth-el: and Jeroboam was standing by the altar to burn incense.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
First Kings 13:1 introduces a dramatic and pivotal moment in the early history of the divided kingdom of Israel, marking God's direct and unsolicited intervention against the profound religious apostasy initiated by King Jeroboam. As Jeroboam stands at the altar in Bethel, personally engaging in unauthorized worship, an unnamed "man of God" arrives from Judah, divinely commissioned to confront the king's idolatry and usurpation of priestly functions, setting the stage for a powerful prophetic declaration of judgment.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the catastrophic division of the united kingdom of Israel, detailed in [1 Kings 12](/1_kings/12 "1 Kings 12 - Division of the Kingdom"). After the ten northern tribes seceded from Rehoboam's rule and crowned Jeroboam as their king, Jeroboam, driven by political fear that his subjects would return to Jerusalem for worship, established alternative, illegitimate cultic centers at Bethel and Dan. He fashioned golden calves for the people to worship, a blatant violation of the Mosaic Law and a tragic echo of the sin at Mount Sinai, as recorded in [Exodus 32](/exodus/32 "Exodus 32 - The Golden Calf"). Furthermore, Jeroboam appointed non-Levitical priests and instituted new feasts, completely redesigning the worship system to suit his political agenda, as described in [1 Kings 12:26-33](/1_kings/12-26 "1 Kings 12:26-33 - Jeroboam's Idolatry"). Thus, [1 Kings 13:1](/1_kings/13-1 "1 Kings 13:1 - Man of God Confronts Jeroboam") opens with Jeroboam personally officiating at the altar in Bethel, symbolizing the depth of his religious rebellion, making him the direct target of God's immediate prophetic judgment.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical setting is the nascent period of the Northern Kingdom of Israel (often called Ephraim or Samaria), shortly after its separation from Judah. Jeroboam's actions were a deliberate attempt to sever religious ties with Jerusalem, the traditional and divinely appointed center of worship. Bethel, located just north of the border with Judah, was strategically chosen for one of these new centers due to its historical significance as a place where Jacob encountered God ([Genesis 28:10-22](/genesis/28-10 "Genesis 28:10-22 - Jacob's Dream at Bethel")). However, Jeroboam's appropriation of this sacred site for idolatrous worship was a profound desecration. His act of burning incense, typically reserved for the Levitical priesthood ([Numbers 3:10](/numbers/3-10 "Numbers 3:10 - Duties of the Priests")), underscored his complete disregard for God's established order and his ambition to control both political and religious spheres. This context highlights the foundational conflict between divinely ordained worship and humanly devised religion driven by political expediency.

* **Key Themes:** [1 Kings 13:1](/1_kings/13-1 "1 Kings 13:1 - Man of God Confronts Jeroboam") introduces several crucial themes that permeate the book of Kings and the broader Old Testament narrative. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates **Divine Intervention** in human affairs, particularly in response to covenant unfaithfulness. God does not remain silent in the face of widespread apostasy but actively sends His messengers. Secondly, the verse emphasizes **Prophetic Authority**, as the "man of God" acts "by the word of the LORD," signifying that his message is not his own but carries the absolute authority of God Himself, a recurring motif for true prophets throughout the Old Testament (e.g., [Deuteronomy 18:18](/deuteronomy/18-18 "Deuteronomy 18:18 - God's Promise of a Prophet")). Thirdly, it sets the stage for a dramatic **Confrontation of Idolatry and False Worship**, highlighting the stark contrast between Jeroboam's self-made religion and God's demand for exclusive, pure worship. Finally, the king's usurpation of priestly duties underscores the theme of **Disregard for God's Established Order** and the severe consequences of blending political ambition with religious practice.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Man of God (Hebrew, _ʼîš hāʼĕlōhîm_):** This is a significant and recurring title in the Old Testament, denoting an individual specially chosen and empowered by God to deliver His message or perform His works. It emphasizes that the prophet's authority and message originate directly from God, not from human wisdom, power, or institutional office. The anonymity of this particular "man of God" further highlights that the message itself, and the God who sent it, are paramount, rather than the messenger's personal identity.
* **By the word of the LORD (Hebrew, _biḏḇar YHWH_):** This phrase underscores the divine commission and absolute authority behind the prophet's mission. It signifies that the prophet is not speaking his own thoughts or opinions, but faithfully relaying a direct, authoritative utterance from Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel. This divine mandate makes the prophet's pronouncements binding and carries the weight of God's own will and judgment.
* **Bethel (Hebrew, _Bêṯ-ʼĒl_):** Meaning "House of God," Bethel was a historically sacred site where Jacob had a vision of God and built an altar ([Genesis 28:10-22](/genesis/28-10 "Genesis 28:10-22 - Jacob's Dream at Bethel")). Its selection by Jeroboam as a center for idolatrous worship is deeply ironic and tragic, transforming a place once dedicated to true worship into a hub of apostasy, thereby desecrating its holy heritage.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And, behold, there came a man of God out of Judah":** This opening phrase signals a sudden, divinely orchestrated appearance. The "man of God" is an unnamed prophet, emphasizing that his authority derives solely from God, not from his personal status. His origin "out of Judah" is significant, highlighting the prophetic voice coming from the kingdom that maintained allegiance to the Davidic line and the Jerusalem Temple, thus underscoring the spiritual rift between the two kingdoms and the source of true worship.
* **"by the word of the LORD unto Bethel":** This clause specifies the divine mandate and the precise destination of the prophet. His journey is not arbitrary but specifically directed by Yahweh's command, confirming the divine origin and purpose of his mission. His arrival at Bethel, Jeroboam's central idolatrous sanctuary, indicates that God is directly confronting the heart of the king's apostasy.
* **"and Jeroboam stood by the altar to burn incense":** This final clause sets the scene for the confrontation. Jeroboam is depicted in the very act of performing unauthorized worship. His personal involvement in burning incense, a priestly function forbidden to kings ([Numbers 3:10](/numbers/3-10 "Numbers 3:10 - Duties of the Priests")), symbolizes his complete usurpation of religious authority and his defiance of God's established order. His presence at the altar makes him the direct and immediate recipient of the prophetic judgment.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several potent **Literary Devices**. The use of "**behold**" (Hebrew, _hinneh_) creates a sense of **Dramatic Irony** and immediate surprise, drawing the reader's attention to the sudden, unexpected arrival of the prophet at the very moment of Jeroboam's sacrilege. This also serves as **Foreshadowing**, signaling that a significant, divinely initiated event is about to unfold, one that will directly challenge the king's authority and actions. There is a clear **Contrast** established between the "man of God" acting "by the word of the LORD" and Jeroboam, who is acting by his own political will and in defiance of God's word. The choice of Bethel, meaning "House of God," as the site for Jeroboam's idolatrous altar is a profound example of **Irony**, highlighting the tragic perversion of a sacred space into a center of rebellion against the very God it was historically meant to honor.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
First Kings 13:1 powerfully illustrates God's unwavering commitment to His covenant and His active opposition to idolatry and unauthorized worship. It demonstrates that God does not passively observe human rebellion but actively intervenes through His chosen messengers to confront sin and call His people back to faithfulness. This intervention underscores the principle that true worship must be defined and directed by God's commands, not by human expediency or political ambition. Jeroboam's actions represent a fundamental rejection of God's sovereignty over all aspects of life, including religious practice, and the divine response highlights the severe consequences of such rebellion. God's word, delivered through His prophet, stands as the ultimate authority against all forms of human-devised religion.

* [Deuteronomy 12:5-14](/deuteronomy/12-5 "Deuteronomy 12:5-14 - The Chosen Place of Worship"): Emphasizes God's command for a single, central place of worship, directly contrasting Jeroboam's multiple, unauthorized altars.
* [Numbers 16:40](/numbers/16-40 "Numbers 16:40 - Warning Against Unauthorized Priesthood"): Illustrates the sanctity of the priesthood and the severe consequences for those who usurp its functions, paralleling Jeroboam's act of burning incense.
* [Isaiah 42:8](/isaiah/42-8 "Isaiah 42:8 - God's Glory Not Shared"): Reinforces the theme of God's exclusive glory and His intolerance for idolatry, which Jeroboam's actions directly violated.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The scene in 1 Kings 13:1 serves as a timeless reminder of the critical importance of adhering to God's revealed will in matters of worship and leadership. Jeroboam's motivations were ostensibly practical—to secure his kingdom—but his methods involved a catastrophic compromise of divine truth, leading to widespread apostasy. This teaches us that political or personal expediency must never supersede faithfulness to God's commands. Leaders, in particular, bear a heavy responsibility to guide their people in true worship and obedience, as their actions have far-reaching spiritual consequences. For individuals, this verse calls for vigilance against any form of "self-made religion" or syncretism, where elements of faith are mixed with human traditions or worldly desires. Our worship must be pure, offered in spirit and truth, founded solely on God's word, and not on what is convenient, popular, or politically advantageous. It also encourages us to be attentive to God's voice, even when it comes from unexpected sources or challenges comfortable norms.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life or my community might "political expediency" or personal convenience be subtly influencing spiritual decisions, leading to a compromise of God's truth?**
* **How can I ensure that my worship, both personal and corporate, is truly "by the word of the LORD" and not merely a reflection of human traditions or preferences?**
* **What does Jeroboam's usurpation of priestly duties teach us about respecting God's established order and boundaries, and how might this apply to spiritual leadership today?**
* **How does the anonymity of the "man of God" emphasize the supremacy of God's message over the messenger, and what implications does this have for how we receive or deliver spiritual truth?**

### FAQ
**Who was this "man of God" from Judah, and why is he unnamed?**

Answer: The text does not identify the "man of God" by name, which is a common literary device in the Bible to emphasize that the message and the authority behind it come directly from God, rather than from the personal status or fame of the messenger. His anonymity ensures that the focus remains entirely on the divine origin and power of the word he delivers. He is simply God's instrument, chosen for this specific, critical mission to confront King Jeroboam's apostasy at Bethel.

**Why was Jeroboam burning incense, and why was this significant?**

Answer: Jeroboam was burning incense as an act of worship at the altar he had established in Bethel. This act was highly significant and deeply problematic because, according to the Mosaic Law, burning incense was a sacred duty reserved exclusively for the Levitical priests, specifically those of the lineage of Aaron ([Numbers 3:10](/numbers/3-10 "Numbers 3:10 - Duties of the Priests") and [Exodus 30:7-8](/exodus/30-7 "Exodus 30:7-8 - The Incense Altar")). By performing this act himself, Jeroboam was usurping priestly functions, demonstrating a complete disregard for God's established order for worship and the priesthood. This was not merely a ceremonial error but a profound act of rebellion against divine authority, symbolizing his ambition to control both the political and religious life of his kingdom.

**What was the significance of Bethel as the location for this confrontation?**

Answer: Bethel, meaning "House of God," held deep historical and spiritual significance for Israel. It was the site where Jacob had his famous dream and encounter with God, establishing it as a holy place ([Genesis 28:10-22](/genesis/28-10 "Genesis 28:10-22 - Jacob's Dream at Bethel")). Jeroboam's choice of Bethel as one of his idolatrous worship centers was thus a profound act of desecration. The confrontation occurring at Bethel highlights the tragic irony of a place once dedicated to the true God now being used for idolatry, and it underscores God's direct challenge to the perversion of sacred spaces and practices.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
First Kings 13:1, with its depiction of a "man of God" sent to confront a king's false worship, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate "Man of God," Jesus Christ, who came not merely to deliver a word but to embody the very Word of God ([John 1:1](/john/1-1 "John 1:1 - The Word Became Flesh")). Jeroboam's usurpation of priestly duties and his establishment of a corrupted worship system stand in stark contrast to Christ, who is the true and perfect High Priest, not according to the Levitical order but the order of Melchizedek ([Hebrews 7:11-17](/hebrews/7-11 "Hebrews 7:11-17 - A Priest Like Melchizedek")). Unlike Jeroboam, who offered unauthorized incense, Jesus offered Himself as the perfect, once-for-all sacrifice, fulfilling the need for all temple rituals and establishing a new covenant of true worship in spirit and truth ([Hebrews 9:11-14](/hebrews/9-11 "Hebrews 9:11-14 - Christ's Superior Sacrifice") and [John 4:23-24](/john/4-23 "John 4:23-24 - Worship in Spirit and Truth")). The unnamed prophet's courageous confrontation of Jeroboam's rebellion finds its ultimate expression in Christ's unwavering challenge to religious hypocrisy and false authority ([Matthew 23:1-36](/matthew/23-1 "Matthew 23 - Woes to the Scribes and Pharisees")). Jesus, the Lamb of God, takes away the sin of the world, not through humanly devised rituals but through His divine authority and atoning work, establishing a kingdom where worship is pure and directed solely to God through Him ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God") and [Revelation 5:9-10](/revelation/5-9 "Revelation 5:9-10 - The Lamb is Worthy")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Kings 12:32

And Jeroboam ordained a feast in the eighth month, on the fifteenth day of the month, like unto the feast that [is] in Judah, and he offered upon the altar. So did he in Bethel, sacrificing unto the calves that he had made: and he placed in Bethel the priests of the high places which he had made.

1 Kings 12:33

So he offered upon the altar which he had made in Bethel the fifteenth day of the eighth month, [even] in the month which he had devised of his own heart; and ordained a feast unto the children of Israel: and he offered upon the altar, and burnt incense.

2 Kings 23:17

Then he said, What title [is] that that I see? And the men of the city told him, [It is] the sepulchre of the man of God, which came from Judah, and proclaimed these things that thou hast done against the altar of Bethel.

1 Thessalonians 4:15

For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive [and] remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.

Jeremiah 25:3

From the thirteenth year of Josiah the son of Amon king of Judah, even unto this day, that [is] the three and twentieth year, the word of the LORD hath come unto me, and I have spoken unto you, rising early and speaking; but ye have not hearkened.

Jeremiah 32:29

And the Chaldeans, that fight against this city, shall come and set fire on this city, and burn it with the houses, upon whose roofs they have offered incense unto Baal, and poured out drink offerings unto other gods, to provoke me to anger.

Numbers 16:40

[To be] a memorial unto the children of Israel, that no stranger, which [is] not of the seed of Aaron, come near to offer incense before the LORD; that he be not as Korah, and as his company: as the LORD said to him by the hand of Moses.