1 Kings 13:26

KJV

And when the prophet that brought him back from the way heard [thereof], he said, It [is] the man of God, who was disobedient unto the word of the LORD: therefore the LORD hath delivered him unto the lion, which hath torn him, and slain him, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake unto him.

KJV (with Strong's)

And when the prophet {H5030} that brought him back {H7725} from the way {H1870} heard {H8085} thereof, he said {H559}, It is the man {H376} of God {H430}, who was disobedient {H4784} unto the word {H6310} of the LORD {H3068}: therefore the LORD {H3068} hath delivered {H5414} him unto the lion {H738}, which hath torn {H7665} him, and slain {H4191} him, according to the word {H1697} of the LORD {H3068}, which he spake {H1696} unto him.

Complete Jewish Bible

When the prophet who had brought him back from the road heard about it, he said, "It is the man of God who rebelled against the word of ADONAI; this is why ADONAI handed him over to the lion to tear him to pieces and kill him, in keeping with the word ADONAI spoke to him."

Berean Standard Bible

When the prophet who had brought him back from his journey heard this, he said, “It is the man of God who disobeyed the command of the LORD. Therefore the LORD has delivered him to the lion, and it has mauled him and killed him, according to the word that the LORD had spoken to him.”

American Standard Version

And when the prophet that brought him back from the way heard thereof, he said, It is the man of God, who was disobedient unto the mouth of Jehovah: therefore Jehovah hath delivered him unto the lion, which hath torn him, and slain him, according to the word of Jehovah, which he spake unto him.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Kings 13:26 marks a solemn declaration by the Old Prophet of Bethel, who, upon hearing of the Man of God's death by a lion, immediately recognizes it as the direct, divinely ordained consequence of the Man of God's disobedience to the LORD's explicit command. This verse underscores the unwavering certainty of God's word, whether in promise or judgment, and highlights the severe repercussions for even a prophet who deviates from divine instruction, confirming that the tragic event was a precise fulfillment of prophecy rather than a random occurrence.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the climactic moment of realization in a tragic narrative arc detailed in [1 Kings 13](/1_kings/13 "1 Kings 13 - The Man of God and the Old Prophet"). The chapter begins with the unnamed Man of God from Judah courageously delivering a prophecy against King Jeroboam’s idolatrous altar at Bethel ([1 Kings 13:1-3](/1_kings/13-1 "1 Kings 13:1-3 - Prophecy against Jeroboam's altar")). He is given a strict divine command: he must not eat bread or drink water in Bethel, nor return by the same way he came ([1 Kings 13:8-9](/1_kings/13-8 "1 Kings 13:8-9 - God's command to the Man of God")). After fulfilling his mission, he is deceived by an older prophet from Bethel, who lies, claiming an angel instructed him to bring the Man of God back to eat and drink ([1 Kings 13:18](/1_kings/13-18 "1 Kings 13:18 - The Old Prophet's Deception")). The Man of God, believing the lie, disobeys the LORD's direct command. Subsequently, the Old Prophet himself receives a true word from the LORD, prophesying that the Man of God would not return to his burial place because of his disobedience ([1 Kings 13:20-22](/1_kings/13-20 "1 Kings 13:20-22 - Prophecy of the Man of God's death")). Immediately after, while traveling, the Man of God is killed by a lion, yet the lion and a donkey stand unharmed beside the body, signifying a supernatural, divinely orchestrated event rather than a typical predator attack ([1 Kings 13:24-25](/1_kings/13-24 "1 Kings 13:24-25 - The Lion's Judgment")). Verse 26 captures the Old Prophet's immediate and accurate interpretation of this astonishing event.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The narrative unfolds in the early period of the Divided Kingdom, shortly after the schism between Judah and Israel following Solomon's reign. King Jeroboam I of Israel, fearing his subjects would return to Jerusalem for worship, established alternative cultic centers at Bethel and Dan, complete with golden calves, to prevent their allegiance from shifting back to the Davidic dynasty in Judah ([1 Kings 12:26-33](/1_kings/12-26 "1 Kings 12:26-33 - Jeroboam's Idolatry")). This act was a profound theological and political rebellion against the LORD. Prophets in ancient Israel served as God's direct spokespersons, often delivering messages of judgment or salvation. Their authority rested entirely on the fidelity of their message to God's word. The cultural understanding of divine judgment often involved natural elements (like wild animals) being supernaturally employed to execute God's will, as seen in other biblical accounts (e.g., [2 Kings 2:24](/2_kings/2-24 "2 Kings 2:24 - Bears maul youths who mocked Elisha")). The strict command not to eat or drink in Bethel was likely a symbolic act of separation from Jeroboam's defiled kingdom and a test of the prophet's absolute obedience to God's specific instructions for his mission.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within [1 Kings](/1_kings/1 "The Book of 1 Kings") and the broader Old Testament. Firstly, it starkly illustrates the **consequences of disobedience** to God's explicit commands, even for those who are called to serve Him. The Man of God, despite his initial faithfulness in confronting Jeroboam, faced divine judgment for yielding to deception and violating a direct instruction. Secondly, the narrative emphasizes the **sovereignty and fulfillment of God's word**. The Old Prophet’s statement, "according to the word of the LORD," underscores that the event was not random but a precise execution of divine prophecy, demonstrating God's ultimate authority and faithfulness to His own declarations. This theme resonates throughout the prophetic literature, where God's word is always depicted as accomplishing its purpose (e.g., [Isaiah 55:11](/isaiah/55-11 "Isaiah 55:11 - God's Word Will Not Return Void")). Thirdly, it highlights the theme of **divine justice**, showing that God holds His servants to a high standard of accountability, particularly in matters of obedience to His revealed will. The incident serves as a powerful reminder of the gravity of despising God's explicit word, even when deception is involved, as seen in the warnings in [Deuteronomy 13:1-5](/deuteronomy/13-1 "Deuteronomy 13:1-5 - Warning Against False Prophets").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Disobedient (Hebrew, _marah'_):** This verb signifies rebellion, defiance, or being contentious. It implies a deliberate act of going against a command, not merely an accidental oversight. In this context, it highlights the Man of God's failure to adhere to the explicit instructions of the LORD, even if influenced by deception. The gravity of his sin is underscored by the use of this strong term, indicating a serious breach of covenant fidelity.
* **Word of the LORD (Hebrew, _dabar YHWH'_):** This phrase, repeated twice in the verse, is central to its meaning. "Dabar" (word) in Hebrew carries significant weight, often implying an active, powerful, and effective utterance. When coupled with "YHWH" (the covenant name of God), it denotes God's direct, authoritative, and binding communication. Its repetition emphasizes that both the command given to the Man of God and the subsequent judgment were direct emanations of God's sovereign will, highlighting the inviolability and certainty of divine pronouncements.
* **Delivered (Hebrew, _natan'_):** While often translated as "gave" or "placed," in this context, "natan" carries the nuance of "handed over" or "surrendered." It implies that the LORD actively and intentionally allowed or caused the Man of God to fall victim to the lion as a direct consequence of his disobedience. This underscores God's active involvement in the judgment, rather than it being a mere natural accident.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And when the prophet that brought him back from the way heard [thereof],"**: This clause establishes the moment of recognition for the Old Prophet. He is the one who, through deception, led the Man of God astray. Hearing of the unusual death, his conscience and prophetic insight immediately connect the event to the earlier divine pronouncements.
* **"he said, It [is] the man of God, who was disobedient unto the word of the LORD:"**: The Old Prophet identifies the deceased as the Man of God from Judah and, critically, pinpoints the cause of his demise: his disobedience to God's explicit command. This is a profound moment of self-incrimination and theological clarity from the deceiver himself, acknowledging the divine judgment.
* **"therefore the LORD hath delivered him unto the lion, which hath torn him, and slain him,"**: This section attributes the death directly to the LORD's action. The lion is not merely a wild animal acting randomly but an instrument of divine judgment. The LORD "delivered" or "handed over" the disobedient prophet to this fate, signifying a direct, purposeful act of retribution. The details "torn him, and slain him" confirm the violent nature of the judgment.
* **"according to the word of the LORD, which he spake unto him."**: This concluding phrase is crucial. It affirms that the entire tragic event, from the disobedience to the lion's attack, unfolded precisely as God had declared it would. It emphasizes the perfect fulfillment of divine prophecy, reinforcing the absolute reliability and power of God's spoken word.

#### Literary Devices
The narrative of 1 Kings 13:26 employs several powerful **literary devices**. There is profound **irony** in the Old Prophet, who himself was the instrument of deception, being the one to articulate the divine judgment and its cause. His confession, "It is the man of God, who was disobedient unto the word of the LORD," serves as a stark admission of the truth, even from a flawed character. The entire chapter, culminating in this verse, functions as a **parable of obedience**, illustrating the severe consequences of violating God's direct commands, regardless of one's prophetic calling or initial faithfulness. The repeated phrase "the word of the LORD" acts as a **thematic repetition** or **leitmotif**, underscoring the absolute centrality and inviolability of divine revelation throughout the narrative. Furthermore, the lion's unusual behavior (not devouring the body or the donkey) is a form of **symbolism**, clearly indicating that this was not a natural predatory act but a divinely orchestrated execution of judgment, transforming a wild beast into an agent of God's justice.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Kings 13:26 serves as a stark reminder of the gravity of God's commands and the unwavering certainty of His word. It underscores that divine judgment, though often perceived as harsh, is rooted in God's perfect justice and His commitment to upholding His own holiness and the integrity of His covenant. Even those who serve God are not exempt from accountability for disobedience, particularly when it involves a direct violation of His revealed will. The narrative highlights the importance of discernment and absolute fidelity to God's word above all other voices, even those claiming prophetic authority. It teaches that God's word, once spoken, will inevitably come to pass, whether for blessing or for judgment, demonstrating His absolute sovereignty and faithfulness to His own declarations.

* [Numbers 15:30-31](/numbers/15-30 "Numbers 15:30-31 - Punishment for presumptuous sin")
* [Deuteronomy 18:20](/deuteronomy/18-20 "Deuteronomy 18:20 - Punishment for a false prophet")
* [Jeremiah 1:12](/jeremiah/1-12 "Jeremiah 1:12 - God watches over His word to perform it")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The tragic account of the Man of God from Judah and the Old Prophet of Bethel, culminating in the Old Prophet's stark declaration in 1 Kings 13:26, compels us to a deep reflection on the nature of obedience and the authority of God's word. In an age where spiritual discernment is often clouded by conflicting voices and personal preferences, this passage powerfully reminds us that God's explicit commands, as revealed in Scripture, are paramount. It challenges us to examine our own lives: are we quick to obey God's clear instructions, or do we allow external pressures, deceptive counsel, or even our own desires to lead us astray? The severity of the Man of God's punishment, despite his initial faithfulness, serves as a sobering reminder that God takes disobedience seriously, especially from those who bear His name and proclaim His word. It is a call to cultivate a profound reverence for God's word, to diligently test all claims against its truth, and to walk in humble submission, knowing that true faithfulness is found in unwavering obedience to the LORD alone.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the Old Prophet's confession in this verse highlight the ultimate authority of God's word, even over human deception?**
* **What does this narrative teach us about the importance of discerning between true and false prophetic messages, even when they come from seemingly spiritual sources?**
* **In what areas of your life might you be tempted to compromise on God's clear commands, and what steps can you take to prioritize radical obedience?**
* **How does the concept of God "delivering" the Man of God to the lion inform your understanding of divine justice and sovereignty?**

### FAQ
**Was the Man of God's punishment too severe for simply eating and drinking?**

Answer: The severity of the punishment must be understood in the context of the Man of God's specific mission and the nature of his disobedience. His instruction not to eat or drink was a direct, explicit command from the LORD, serving as a symbolic act of separation from Jeroboam's idolatrous kingdom and a test of absolute obedience. His sin was not merely eating but disobeying a clear divine mandate given to him as a prophet. Furthermore, he was deceived by another prophet who claimed a new word from God, which contradicted the original, clear command. This highlights a failure of discernment and a lack of fidelity to the initial, unambiguous word of the LORD. For a prophet, whose authority rested on conveying God's precise word, such disobedience was a grave affront to God's holiness and the integrity of His message, making the judgment a demonstration of God's unwavering commitment to His own word and the accountability of His messengers.

**Why was the Old Prophet not punished, given that he was the deceiver?**

Answer: The text does not explicitly detail a punishment for the Old Prophet, leading to various interpretations. Some scholars suggest that his public confession in [1 Kings 13:26](/1_kings/13-26 "1 Kings 13:26 - The Old Prophet's Realization") and his subsequent act of burying the Man of God in his own tomb ([1 Kings 13:30-31](/1_kings/13-30 "1 Kings 13:30-31 - The Old Prophet buries the Man of God")) indicate a form of repentance or a recognition of his sin. His prophetic pronouncement of the Man of God's death in [1 Kings 13:20-22](/1_kings/13-20 "1 Kings 13:20-22 - Prophecy of the Man of God's death") also shows that God still used him as a vessel for truth, even after his deception. It's possible his judgment was spiritual or internal, or simply not recorded. The narrative's primary focus is on the consequences of disobedience to God's direct word, particularly for the one who received it, rather than a comprehensive account of all involved parties' fates.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The tragic narrative of the Man of God's disobedience and divine judgment in 1 Kings 13:26 powerfully foreshadows the ultimate fulfillment of God's word and justice in Jesus Christ. The Man of God's failure highlights humanity's pervasive struggle with obedience, even when divinely commissioned. In stark contrast, Jesus is the perfectly obedient Son, who came not to do His own will but the will of the Father who sent Him ([John 6:38](/john/6-38 "John 6:38 - Jesus does the Father's will")). Where the Man of God yielded to deception and faced death for his disobedience, Jesus, the true Prophet, perfectly fulfilled every word of God, even to the point of death on a cross ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience to Death")). The "word of the LORD" that brought judgment upon the disobedient prophet is the same divine word that, through Christ, offers grace and redemption. Jesus bore the full weight of God's righteous judgment for humanity's disobedience, becoming the "Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world" ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). Through His perfect life, atoning death, and resurrection, Christ fulfilled the demands of God's justice, offering a path to reconciliation and new life for all who believe, ensuring that God's ultimate word—His word of salvation—will also be perfectly fulfilled in those who are "obedient from the heart" to the gospel ([Romans 6:17](/romans/6-17 "Romans 6:17 - Obedience from the Heart")).

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.