1 Kings 13:29

KJV

And the prophet took up the carcase of the man of God, and laid it upon the ass, and brought it back: and the old prophet came to the city, to mourn and to bury him.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the prophet {H5030} took up {H5375} the carcase {H5038} of the man {H376} of God {H430}, and laid {H3240} it upon the ass {H2543}, and brought it back {H7725}: and the old {H2205} prophet {H5030} came {H935} to the city {H5892}, to mourn {H5594} and to bury {H6912} him.

Complete Jewish Bible

The prophet picked up the corpse of the man of God, laid it on the donkey and brought it back to the city where he lived, to mourn and bury him.

Berean Standard Bible

So the old prophet lifted up the body of the man of God, laid it on the donkey, and brought it back to his own city to mourn for him and bury him.

American Standard Version

And the prophet took up the body of the man of God, and laid it upon the ass, and brought it back; and he came to the city of the old prophet, to mourn, and to bury him.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Kings 13:29 meticulously records the somber and significant actions of the old prophet from Bethel as he retrieves the lifeless body of the young "man of God" from Judah. This verse marks the tragic culmination of a narrative fraught with divine command, human disobedience, and fatal consequence, highlighting the old prophet's belated and profound sense of remorse and responsibility for the death of the one he had deceptively led astray. His act of bringing the body back to the city for mourning and burial underscores the gravity of the event and the public acknowledgment of the young prophet's demise.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as the immediate aftermath and tragic climax of the narrative in [1 Kings chapter 13](/1_kings/13 "1 Kings 13 - The Man of God from Judah"). The story begins with a vivid confrontation between a young, unnamed "man of God" sent by Yahweh from Judah and King Jeroboam at his idolatrous altar in Bethel. The prophet delivers a powerful word of judgment against Jeroboam's apostasy, even causing the altar to split and the king's hand to wither, only to be miraculously restored by the prophet's prayer ([1 Kings 13:1-6](/1_kings/13-1 "1 Kings 13:1-6 - Prophet Confronts Jeroboam")). Crucially, God gives the man of God a strict command: he is not to eat or drink in Bethel, nor return by the same way ([1 Kings 13:9](/1_kings/13-9 "1 Kings 13:9 - God's Command to the Prophet")). After fulfilling his mission, the young prophet is deceived by an older prophet living in Bethel, who falsely claims an angel instructed him to offer hospitality. The young prophet, swayed by this lie, disobeys God's explicit word ([1 Kings 13:18-19](/1_kings/13-18 "1 Kings 13:18-19 - The Old Prophet's Deception")). As a direct consequence, a lion kills him on his journey home, yet remarkably, the lion does not devour the body or the ass, standing guard over them ([1 Kings 13:24-28](/1_kings/13-24 "1 Kings 13:24-28 - The Lion's Judgment")). Upon hearing this, the old prophet, recognizing the tragic outcome of his deception, sets out to retrieve the body, leading directly to the actions described in [1 Kings 13:29](/1_kings/13-29 "1 Kings 13:29 - The Old Prophet's Remorse").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events of 1 Kings 13 are set against the backdrop of the divided kingdom of Israel, specifically during the reign of Jeroboam I, the first king of the northern kingdom of Israel. Jeroboam had established golden calves at Bethel and Dan to prevent his subjects from going to Jerusalem to worship, thereby securing his political power but leading the nation into idolatry ([1 Kings 12:26-33](/1_kings/12-26 "1 Kings 12:26-33 - Jeroboam's Idolatry")). This act was a direct affront to Yahweh's covenant with Israel and the exclusive worship commanded in the Torah. Prophets played a crucial role in ancient Israel as God's messengers, often confronting kings and speaking truth to power. Their authority rested entirely on their faithful transmission of God's word. Burial customs in ancient Israel were highly significant, emphasizing the dignity of the deceased and the importance of a proper resting place, often within family tombs. The act of retrieving and burying a body, especially one killed by divine judgment, carried significant social and spiritual weight, demonstrating respect and acknowledging the deceased's identity, even if the death was a consequence of sin.

* **Key Themes:** The narrative of the man of God from Judah powerfully illustrates several profound themes. Foremost is the **absolute necessity of obedience to God's explicit commands**, highlighting that even a prophet, divinely commissioned, is not exempt from the severe consequences of disobedience, regardless of the source of temptation. This underscores God's holiness and the unwavering nature of His word. The story also vividly portrays the **danger of deception**, particularly when it comes from those claiming spiritual authority. The old prophet's lie, motivated by unknown reasons (perhaps a desire for fellowship or a test), directly leads to the young prophet's demise, serving as a cautionary tale about discerning truth. Furthermore, the old prophet's actions in this verse, retrieving and burying the body, reveal a strong theme of **remorse and belated responsibility**. His public mourning and decision to be buried alongside the man of God ([1 Kings 13:31](/1_kings/13-31 "1 Kings 13:31 - Old Prophet's Burial Request")) indicate a profound regret for his role in the tragedy. Finally, the lion's selective action—killing but not consuming—serves as a stark symbol of **divine judgment** and the immediate, undeniable consequences of violating God's direct word.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Prophet (Hebrew, _nāḇî’_):** This term denotes one who speaks for God, a messenger or spokesman. In this narrative, it is applied to both the young man from Judah and the old man from Bethel. The tragedy of the story is magnified by the fact that both individuals held this sacred office, yet one was deceived and the other was the deceiver, leading to a fatal outcome for the former. The title "prophet" underscores the high calling and weighty responsibility associated with delivering and obeying God's word.
* **Carcase (Hebrew, _nəḇēlāh_):** This word specifically refers to a dead body, often one that has fallen or been killed, particularly an animal's carcass, or a human body that has not been properly buried. Its use here emphasizes the stark reality of death and the tragic, undignified end of the "man of God." It highlights the finality of the judgment and the physical consequence of his disobedience.
* **Man of God (Hebrew, _’îš hā’ĕlōhîm_):** This is an honorific title frequently used in the Old Testament for prophets or individuals specially chosen and empowered by God to carry out His work (e.g., Moses, Elijah, Elisha). Its application to the young prophet underscores his divine commission and authority. The tragic irony is that this "man of God," who faithfully delivered God's word to a king, ultimately fell due to his own failure to obey God's direct command, making his death a poignant lesson on the absolute necessity of personal obedience.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the prophet took up the carcase of the man of God":** This clause describes the old prophet's initiative in retrieving the body. His action signifies a profound shift from deception to a belated, somber responsibility. The specific mention of "the carcase of the man of God" emphasizes the grim reality of death and the identity of the deceased, highlighting the tragic irony of a divinely commissioned messenger lying dead due to disobedience.
* **"and laid it upon the ass, and brought it back":** These actions detail the practical steps of retrieval. The act of laying the body upon the ass suggests a careful, respectful handling of the deceased, indicating a measure of reverence or at least a solemn acknowledgment of the man's former status. "Brought it back" implies a journey back to the city, likely Bethel, where the old prophet resided, signifying his intention to provide a proper burial.
* **"and the old prophet came to the city, to mourn and to bury him":** This final clause reveals the old prophet's motivations and the public nature of his actions. His coming to the city was not merely for practical purposes but to engage in the culturally significant acts of mourning and burial. This public display of grief and assumption of responsibility for the deceased suggests genuine remorse and a desire to honor the man he had inadvertently destroyed, perhaps also to mitigate the spiritual fallout of his own deceit.

#### Literary Devices
The narrative culminating in [1 Kings 13:29](/1_kings/13-29 "1 Kings 13:29 - The Old Prophet's Remorse") is rich in literary devices that amplify its cautionary message. **Irony** is pervasive: the old prophet, who instigated the young prophet's fatal disobedience, is now the one to mourn and bury him. There is also **dramatic irony** in the young prophet's initial faithfulness to God's command against Jeroboam, only to fall victim to a seemingly less significant, yet equally fatal, act of disobedience. The **symbolism** of the lion is potent; it acts not as a predator but as an instrument of divine judgment, killing the disobedient prophet but leaving the body and ass untouched, thereby validating the divine origin of the punishment. The entire chapter functions as a **parable** or **cautionary tale**, using the specific events to convey universal truths about obedience, deception, and divine justice. The **contrast** between the initial zeal of the young prophet and his tragic end serves as a powerful rhetorical device to underscore the gravity of God's commands.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The profound theological lesson of 1 Kings 13:29 and its preceding narrative lies in the absolute seriousness with which God regards obedience to His explicit word, especially from those He has commissioned. It underscores that God's commands are not arbitrary suggestions but divine decrees, the violation of which carries severe consequences, regardless of the perceived magnitude of the sin or the external pressures. This story highlights the integrity of God's character—His holiness demands adherence to His truth, and His justice ensures that disobedience does not go unaddressed. It also serves as a stark warning against spiritual deception, reminding believers that even those who claim prophetic authority can lead others astray, and that discernment is paramount. The old prophet's remorse, though belated, points to the weight of responsibility that comes with influencing others, particularly in matters of faith.

* [Deuteronomy 13:1-5](/deuteronomy/13-1 "Deuteronomy 13:1-5 - Testing False Prophets")
* [Galatians 1:8-9](/galatians/1-8 "Galatians 1:8-9 - No Other Gospel")
* [Hebrews 10:26-31](/hebrews/10-26 "Hebrews 10:26-31 - Consequences of Willful Sin")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The tragic account of the man of God from Judah and the old prophet from Bethel, culminating in the somber scene of 1 Kings 13:29, offers timeless and critical lessons for believers today. It serves as a powerful reminder that our obedience to God's clear, revealed will, as found in Scripture, must be absolute and unwavering. We are called to live by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God, not just the parts we find convenient or comfortable. This narrative powerfully challenges us to cultivate spiritual discernment, to "test the spirits" ([1 John 4:1](/1_john/4-1 "1 John 4:1 - Test the Spirits")) and to scrutinize all counsel, even from those claiming spiritual authority, against the unchanging truth of God's written Word. Our ultimate authority is God's voice, not human voices, however seemingly spiritual. Furthermore, the old prophet's remorse compels us to consider the immense responsibility we bear when our words and actions influence others, especially in matters of faith. We must be exceptionally careful not to lead others astray or cause them to stumble through our own deceit or carelessness.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **Where in my life might I be tempted to compromise God's clear commands for convenience, comfort, or the counsel of others?**
* **How do I actively cultivate spiritual discernment to distinguish between truth and deception, especially when it comes from seemingly credible sources?**
* **What responsibility do I bear for the spiritual influence I exert on others, and how can I ensure that influence consistently points them towards God's truth?**
* **What does this story reveal about the seriousness with which God views obedience, and how should that shape my daily walk with Him?**

### FAQ
**Why was the punishment for the young prophet's disobedience so severe, seemingly for just eating and drinking?**

Answer: The severity of the punishment for the young prophet's disobedience, seemingly for a minor act of eating and drinking, must be understood within the context of his prophetic office and the specific, direct command from God. First, as a "man of God," he was a direct representative of Yahweh, and his actions carried significant weight, serving as an example to a nation steeped in idolatry. His obedience was a testimony to God's authority. Second, God's command not to eat or drink in Bethel and not to return by the same way ([1 Kings 13:9](/1_kings/13-9 "1 Kings 13:9 - God's Specific Command")) was a clear, unambiguous test of his faithfulness and a symbolic rejection of Jeroboam's idolatrous system. Disobedience to such a direct and specific divine instruction, especially when delivered by God Himself, was not a minor infraction but a profound act of rebellion against the divine word. In a time when God was actively confronting apostasy, maintaining the integrity of His word and the authority of His prophets was paramount. The immediate and public judgment served as a powerful object lesson to Jeroboam and all Israel about the seriousness of God's commands and the consequences of compromising with sin, even under the guise of hospitality or spiritual counsel. It underscored that God's word is immutable and His warnings are to be taken with ultimate seriousness.

**Was the old prophet truly remorseful, or was his act of burying the young prophet merely a show?**

Answer: While the text does not explicitly state the old prophet's inner feelings, his actions in [1 Kings 13:29-32](/1_kings/13-29 "1 Kings 13:29-32 - The Old Prophet's Actions and Request") strongly suggest genuine remorse and a profound sense of responsibility. He actively sought out the body, brought it back to the city, mourned over it, and provided a proper burial. Furthermore, he instructed his sons to bury him in the same tomb as the man of God, expressing a belief that the young prophet's prophecy against Bethel would surely come to pass ([1 Kings 13:31-32](/1_kings/13-31 "1 Kings 13:31-32 - Old Prophet's Burial Request")). This indicates not only regret for his role in the tragedy but also a renewed conviction in the truth of God's word, even the word spoken by the man he deceived. While his character remains complex—he was a prophet who lied in God's name—his actions in the aftermath appear to be a sincere, albeit belated, attempt to honor the deceased and acknowledge the gravity of his own sin. His remorse, however, did not prevent Jeroboam from continuing in his evil ways ([1 Kings 13:33](/1_kings/13-33 "1 Kings 13:33 - Jeroboam's Continued Idolatry")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The tragic narrative of the man of God from Judah, culminating in his death and burial described in [1 Kings 13:29](/1_kings/13-29 "1 Kings 13:29 - The Old Prophet's Remorse"), finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment not in its disobedience, but in its stark contrast to the perfect obedience of Jesus Christ. The "man of God" died because of his failure to obey a simple, direct command; Christ, the ultimate "Man of God" and the Son of God, lived a life of perfect, unwavering obedience, even to the point of death on a cross ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Humility and Obedience")). Where the prophet's death was a consequence of sin, Christ's death was a sacrifice for sin, taking upon Himself the judgment due to humanity ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). The lion, an instrument of divine judgment in 1 Kings, foreshadows the ultimate judgment against sin that Christ bore. Jesus is the true Prophet, greater than any who came before Him, who perfectly delivered and embodied God's word, never deviating from the Father's will ([Deuteronomy 18:15](/deuteronomy/18-15 "Deuteronomy 18:15 - The Prophet Like Moses"); [John 14:24](/john/14-24 "John 14:24 - Jesus' Words Are the Father's")). Unlike the man of God, whose death brought sorrow and a sobering lesson, Christ's death and resurrection brought life, hope, and the ultimate victory over sin and death for all who believe ([Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God Demonstrates His Love"); [1 Corinthians 15:3-4](/1_corinthians/15-3 "1 Corinthians 15:3-4 - The Gospel Message")). He is the Lamb of God who truly takes away the sin of the world, not just demonstrating the consequences of sin, but providing the redemption from it ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")).

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.