1 Kings 13:22

But camest back, and hast eaten bread and drunk water in the place, of the which [the LORD] did say to thee, Eat no bread, and drink no water; thy carcase shall not come unto the sepulchre of thy fathers.

But camest back {H7725}, and hast eaten {H398} bread {H3899} and drunk {H8354} water {H4325} in the place {H4725}, of the which the LORD did say {H1696} to thee, Eat {H398} no bread {H3899}, and drink {H8354} no water {H4325}; thy carcase {H5038} shall not come {H935} unto the sepulchre {H6913} of thy fathers {H1}.

but came back and ate food and drank water in the place where he warned you not to eat food or drink water, your corpse will not arrive at the tomb of your ancestors."

but you went back and ate bread and drank water in the place where He told you not to do so, your body shall never reach the tomb of your fathers.’”

but camest back, and hast eaten bread and drunk water in the place of which he said to thee, Eat no bread, and drink no water; thy body shall not come unto the sepulchre of thy fathers.

Commentary

Context of 1 Kings 13:22

This verse delivers a solemn divine judgment through the mouth of an old prophet to the man of God from Judah. The preceding narrative in 1 Kings 13 recounts how this unnamed prophet was sent by the LORD to denounce King Jeroboam's idolatrous altar at Bethel. God gave the man of God a strict command: he was not to eat bread or drink water in Bethel, nor was he to return by the way he came (1 Kings 13:9). Despite his initial obedience and miraculous signs, he was later deceived by an old prophet who falsely claimed an angel had given him permission to bring the man of God back to his house to eat and drink. This verse, 1 Kings 13:22, is the direct pronouncement of the consequence for that act of disobedience, spoken by the very prophet who led him astray.

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Seriousness of Disobedience: The primary message is the severe consequences of disobeying a direct command from the LORD, even if one is seemingly deceived. God's word is immutable, and departing from it carries significant repercussions.
  • Divine Judgment: The verse highlights God's justice and the certainty of His word. The punishment for the man of God's transgression was immediate and absolute, demonstrating that God holds His servants accountable.
  • Integrity of God's Word: Despite the deception, God's original command remained binding. This incident underscores that God's truth is not subject to human interpretation or external influence, even from another prophet.
  • Consequences of Deception: While the old prophet was the instrument of deception, the man of God bore the direct consequences of his failure to verify the new instruction against the initial, clear divine mandate.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "thy carcase shall not come unto the sepulchre of thy fathers" is particularly striking. The Hebrew word for "carcase" is nevelah (Χ Φ°Χ‘Φ΅ΧœΦΈΧ”), which often refers to a dead body, especially one unburied or treated with dishonor. In ancient Israelite culture, being buried with one's ancestors in the family tomb was a highly significant honor, symbolizing peace, continuity, and a proper end to life. To be denied burial with one's fathers was a profound disgrace and a sign of divine displeasure, implying an untimely and dishonorable death. This pronouncement emphasized the shame and finality of the judgment.

Practical Application

The account of the man of God serves as a powerful warning for all believers today:

  • Discernment is Crucial: We must always test what we hear, even from those who claim spiritual authority, against the clear and consistent Word of God. Do not be swayed by seemingly spiritual messages that contradict established biblical truth (1 John 4:1).
  • Obedience to God's Specific Commands: When God gives a clear instruction, it must be followed precisely. Our obedience demonstrates our love and trust in Him.
  • The Gravity of Sin: Even a single act of disobedience, particularly after a clear divine directive, can have severe and far-reaching consequences. This narrative reinforces the biblical principle that God takes sin seriously.
  • God's Word Stands: Regardless of circumstances or external pressures, God's original word and command are steadfast. We are called to stand firm on what God has revealed, trusting His wisdom above all else. This solemn pronouncement was fulfilled shortly thereafter, as detailed in 1 Kings 13:24, when a lion killed the man of God.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 1 Kings 13:30

    And he laid his carcase in his own grave; and they mourned over him, [saying], Alas, my brother!

  • Jeremiah 22:18

    Therefore thus saith the LORD concerning Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah; They shall not lament for him, [saying], Ah my brother! or, Ah sister! they shall not lament for him, [saying], Ah lord! or, Ah his glory!

  • Jeremiah 22:19

    He shall be buried with the burial of an ass, drawn and cast forth beyond the gates of Jerusalem.

  • Isaiah 14:18

    All the kings of the nations, [even] all of them, lie in glory, every one in his own house.

  • Isaiah 14:20

    Thou shalt not be joined with them in burial, because thou hast destroyed thy land, [and] slain thy people: the seed of evildoers shall never be renowned.

  • 1 Kings 14:13

    And all Israel shall mourn for him, and bury him: for he only of Jeroboam shall come to the grave, because in him there is found [some] good thing toward the LORD God of Israel in the house of Jeroboam.

  • 2 Chronicles 21:19

    And it came to pass, that in process of time, after the end of two years, his bowels fell out by reason of his sickness: so he died of sore diseases. And his people made no burning for him, like the burning of his fathers.
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