1 Kings 13:6

KJV

And the king answered and said unto the man of God, Intreat now the face of the LORD thy God, and pray for me, that my hand may be restored me again. And the man of God besought the LORD, and the king's hand was restored him again, and became as [it was] before.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the king {H4428} answered {H6030} and said {H559} unto the man {H376} of God {H430}, Intreat {H2470} now the face {H6440} of the LORD {H3068} thy God {H430}, and pray {H6419} for me, that my hand {H3027} may be restored me again {H7725}. And the man {H376} of God {H430} besought {H2470}{H6440} the LORD {H3068}, and the king's {H4428} hand {H3027} was restored him again {H7725}, and became as it was before {H7223}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The king then responded to the man of God. "Ask now the favor of ADONAI your God," he said, "and pray for me, that my hand will be restored to me." The man of God prayed to ADONAI, and the king's hand was restored to him and became as it had been before.

Berean Standard Bible

Then the king responded to the man of God, “Intercede with the LORD your God and pray that my hand may be restored.” So the man of God interceded with the LORD, and the king’s hand was restored to him as it was before.

American Standard Version

And the king answered and said unto the man of God, Entreat now the favor of Jehovah thy God, and pray for me, that my hand may be restored me again. And the man of God entreated Jehovah, and the king’s hand was restored him again, and became as it was before.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
records a profound moment of divine judgment and immediate mercy, where King Jeroboam, afflicted by a withered hand as a consequence of his idolatry, desperately appeals to the unnamed man of God to intercede on his behalf. In response to the prophet's prayer, the Lord miraculously restores Jeroboam's hand to its original state, powerfully demonstrating God's sovereign authority over human affairs, His readiness to hear the pleas of His servants, and His capacity for both swift judgment and compassionate healing.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the direct and immediate resolution to the preceding confrontation between King Jeroboam and the man of God from Judah. In [1 Kings 12](/1_kings/12 "1 Kings 12 - Division of the Kingdom and Jeroboam's Idolatry"), Jeroboam had established golden calves in Bethel and Dan, creating an alternative worship system to prevent his people from returning to Jerusalem and potentially shifting their allegiance back to the Davidic dynasty. As Jeroboam stood by the altar in Bethel to burn incense, the man of God, by God's command, cried out against the altar, prophesying its destruction and the desecration of its idolatrous priests ([1 Kings 13:1-2](/1_kings/13-1 "1 Kings 13:1-2 - Prophet's Prophecy Against the Altar")). When Jeroboam defiantly stretched out his hand to seize the prophet, his hand immediately withered, and the altar itself split apart, spilling its ashes, confirming the prophet's divine authority and the truth of his message ([1 Kings 13:4-5](/1_kings/13-4 "1 Kings 13:4-5 - Jeroboam's Hand Withers and Altar Splits")). Verse 6 then captures Jeroboam's desperate plea for healing and the Lord's swift, miraculous restoration of his hand, setting the stage for the subsequent narrative of the prophet's journey and further tests of obedience.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events of [1 Kings 13](/1_kings/13 "1 Kings 13 - The Man of God from Judah") unfold during the early years of the divided monarchy, specifically during the reign of Jeroboam I over the northern kingdom of Israel (c. 931-910 BCE). Jeroboam's establishment of the golden calves was a politically motivated religious innovation, designed to consolidate his power by preventing his subjects from worshipping in Jerusalem, the capital of the rival southern kingdom of Judah. This act was a direct violation of the Mosaic Law, which prohibited idolatry and mandated worship at a central sanctuary. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, physical ailments, especially sudden and inexplicable ones like a withered hand, were often perceived as direct manifestations of divine displeasure or judgment. Prophets, like the unnamed man of God, served as crucial intermediaries, delivering God's messages, warnings, and sometimes, as here, interceding on behalf of the people or even kings, underscoring their unique spiritual authority derived directly from Yahweh.
* **Key Themes:** [1 Kings 13:6](/1_kings/13-6 "1 Kings 13:6 - Jeroboam's Hand Restored") powerfully illustrates several foundational themes. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Judgment and Mercy**: God's swift judgment on Jeroboam's hand underscores His intolerance for idolatry and rebellion against His commands. Yet, His immediate willingness to restore the hand upon the prophet's prayer also reveals His profound mercy, even towards those who have provoked Him. Secondly, the verse showcases the **Power of Intercessory Prayer**: Jeroboam, in his distress, recognized the man of God's direct connection to the Lord and requested his prayer. The immediate restoration of his hand demonstrates the profound effectiveness of intercessory prayer offered by a righteous servant of God, echoing sentiments found in [James 5:16](/james/5-16 "James 5:16 - The Prayer of a Righteous Person"). Thirdly, it unequivocally displays **God's Sovereign Power to Heal**: The miraculous restoration of Jeroboam's hand, becoming "as it was before," showcases God's absolute power over the human body and the natural order, a testament to His ability to heal all diseases, as celebrated in [Psalm 103:3](/psalm/103-3 "Psalm 103:3 - God Forgives and Heals"). Finally, the incident subtly introduces the theme of **Temporary or Partial Repentance**: While Jeroboam sought immediate physical relief, his request for healing did not lead to a lasting change in his heart or a turning away from his idolatrous practices, a tragic reality confirmed in later verses like [1 Kings 13:33-34](/1_kings/13-33 "1 Kings 13:33-34 - Jeroboam's Continued Rebellion").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Intreat (Hebrew, _chalah'_):** The Hebrew verb חָלָה (*chalah*) here means "to be sick," but in the Hiphil stem, as used in the phrase "intreat the face of," it takes on the meaning "to make sick," "to make weak," or metaphorically, "to soften," "to appease," "to implore favor." When combined with "face" (פָּנִים, *panim*), it literally means "to make the face sick" or "to soften the face," conveying the act of earnestly seeking favor, pleading, or imploring with great urgency and humility. Jeroboam's use of this phrase highlights his desperate recognition that only God's favor, mediated through the prophet, could reverse his affliction.
* **Restored (Hebrew, _shuv'_):** The Hebrew verb שׁוּב (*shuv*) means "to turn," "to return," or "to restore." In this context, it signifies a complete reversal of the withered state. The hand did not merely improve but was returned to its original, healthy condition ("became as it was before"). This emphasizes the completeness and instantaneous nature of God's miraculous healing, demonstrating His absolute power to undo the effects of His judgment.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the king answered and said unto the man of God,"**: This clause marks Jeroboam's immediate response to the divine judgment. His previous defiance and attempt to seize the prophet are replaced by a sudden, desperate plea, acknowledging the prophet's direct connection to God and the divine source of his affliction.
* **"Intreat now the face of the LORD thy God, and pray for me,"**: Jeroboam recognizes the prophet's unique standing before God ("thy God") and appeals for intercession. The phrase "intreat the face of the LORD" conveys a profound sense of urgency and humility, a desperate plea for divine favor and mercy. This is a direct request for the prophet to act as a mediator, acknowledging that only God can reverse the judgment.
* **"that my hand may be restored me again."**: This specifies the precise nature of Jeroboam's request: physical healing from the withered hand. It highlights his immediate concern for his personal well-being and the reversal of the visible sign of divine judgment.
* **"And the man of God besought the LORD,"**: This clause describes the prophet's immediate and faithful obedience to Jeroboam's request. Despite Jeroboam's idolatry and defiance, the prophet, as God's servant, acts as an intercessor, demonstrating compassion and adherence to his prophetic role.
* **"and the king's hand was restored him again, and became as [it was] before."**: This climactic phrase confirms the instantaneous and complete nature of God's miraculous intervention. The restoration is not partial but total, underscoring God's absolute power to heal and His immediate response to the prophet's prayer. This serves as a powerful validation of the prophet's message and God's sovereign control.

#### Literary Devices
The narrative of [1 Kings 13:6](/1_kings/13-6 "1 Kings 13:6 - Jeroboam's Hand Restored") is rich with literary devices that amplify its theological impact. **Divine Retribution** is vividly displayed as Jeroboam's hand withers immediately after he stretches it out in defiance against God's prophet, a direct and precise punishment for his attempted aggression and underlying idolatry. This is swiftly followed by **Divine Intervention**, as God's power is demonstrated not only in judgment but also in the instantaneous and complete restoration of the hand upon the prophet's prayer. There is a strong element of **Irony** in the scene: Jeroboam, who has rejected true worship of Yahweh and established idolatrous altars, is forced to plead with Yahweh's prophet for healing, acknowledging the very God he sought to supplant. His hand, which he stretched out in a gesture of control and defiance, becomes useless, only to be restored by the power of the God he rejected. Furthermore, the withered hand serves as potent **Symbolism**, representing Jeroboam's spiritual paralysis and his inability to act effectively against God's will. Its restoration, while a physical miracle, also symbolizes God's offer of grace and a potential, though ultimately unheeded, call for Jeroboam to turn from his wicked ways.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
[1 Kings 13:6](/1_kings/13-6 "1 Kings 13:6 - Jeroboam's Hand Restored") serves as a powerful testament to the dual nature of God's character: His unwavering justice against sin and His profound, readily available mercy. The immediate judgment on Jeroboam's hand underscores God's intolerance for idolatry and rebellion, serving as a tangible sign of His authority over human rulers and their defiance. Yet, the equally swift restoration of the hand upon the prophet's intercession reveals a God who is "slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love" ([Psalm 103:8](/psalm/103-8 "Psalm 103:8 - God's Compassion")). This incident highlights the critical role of intercessory prayer, demonstrating that God hears and responds to the earnest pleas of His faithful servants, even on behalf of those who have provoked His wrath. It also raises a poignant question about the nature of repentance: was Jeroboam's plea genuine remorse leading to transformation, or merely a desperate cry for relief from consequences? The narrative suggests the latter, underscoring that while God's mercy is vast, it does not coerce true repentance, which must stem from a changed heart.

* [Exodus 32:11-14](/exodus/32-11 "Exodus 32:11-14 - Moses' Intercession for Israel")
* [Isaiah 38:1-5](/isaiah/38-1 "Isaiah 38:1-5 - Hezekiah's Prayer and Healing")
* [Jonah 3:10](/jonah/3-10 "Jonah 3:10 - God Relents from Disaster")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The account of Jeroboam's withered hand and its miraculous restoration in [1 Kings 13:6](/1_kings/13-6 "1 Kings 13:6 - Jeroboam's Hand Restored") offers profound lessons for contemporary believers. It reminds us that God is actively involved in human affairs, capable of both swift judgment and compassionate healing. We are challenged to examine the nature of our own repentance: do we, like Jeroboam, primarily seek God for relief from the painful consequences of our actions, or do we genuinely desire a transformation of heart that leads to a lasting turning away from sin and toward obedience? The incident also underscores the immense privilege and power of intercessory prayer. Just as the man of God stood in the gap for Jeroboam, we too are called to pray for others, for those who are suffering, and even for those who are in rebellion against God, trusting that God hears and acts according to His sovereign will and mercy. This narrative serves as a stark reminder that physical healing, while a blessing, is not always indicative of spiritual reconciliation or true repentance; genuine faith is demonstrated by sustained obedience and a life surrendered to God's will.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life do I tend to seek God primarily for relief from consequences rather than for genuine transformation of my heart and habits?**
* **How does Jeroboam's temporary repentance challenge my understanding of true spiritual change and the depth of commitment God desires?**
* **What role does intercessory prayer play in my personal walk with God, both in praying for others and in seeking prayer for myself from fellow believers?**
* **How does this story encourage me to trust in God's power to intervene miraculously, even in seemingly impossible situations?**

### FAQ
**Why did God heal Jeroboam's hand if he didn't truly repent and turn from his idolatry?**

Answer: God's healing of Jeroboam's hand, despite his eventual failure to truly repent, serves multiple purposes. Firstly, it unequivocally validates the authority and message of the unnamed man of God. The immediate fulfillment of both the judgment (withered hand) and the restoration (healing) confirmed that the prophet was indeed a messenger from Yahweh, not merely a human voice. Secondly, it was an act of profound divine mercy and patience. God, in His compassion, offered Jeroboam a tangible sign of His power and a clear opportunity to repent and turn from his wicked ways. This demonstration of mercy, even to a defiant king, highlights God's character as one who is "gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love" ([Psalm 145:8](/psalm/145-8 "Psalm 145:8 - God's Gracious Character")). While Jeroboam chose not to fully embrace this opportunity for lasting change ([1 Kings 13:33-34](/1_kings/13-33 "1 Kings 13:33-34 - Jeroboam's Continued Rebellion")), God's action still served as a powerful testimony to His sovereignty and a witness to all who observed.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The miraculous restoration of Jeroboam's withered hand in [1 Kings 13:6](/1_kings/13-6 "1 Kings 13:6 - Jeroboam's Hand Restored") finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Jeroboam's physical ailment was a direct consequence of his rebellion against God, and his healing, though temporary in its impact on his spiritual state, foreshadows the deeper, spiritual healing that Christ offers. Jesus, the true "man of God," came not merely to restore withered limbs but to heal the withered souls of humanity, crippled by the spiritual paralysis of sin ([Matthew 9:6](/matthew/9-6 "Matthew 9:6 - Jesus Forgives and Heals")). While the prophet interceded for Jeroboam, Jesus himself is our ultimate and eternal intercessor, standing before the Father on our behalf, always living to make intercession for us ([Hebrews 7:25](/hebrews/7-25 "Hebrews 7:25 - Christ's Eternal Intercession")). The immediate and complete restoration of Jeroboam's hand points to Christ's absolute power over all physical and spiritual brokenness, culminating in His own resurrection from the dead, which guarantees our future bodily resurrection and eternal life ([Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "Romans 6:23 - The Wages of Sin and Gift of God")). Unlike Jeroboam's partial repentance, Jesus offers a complete and transformative salvation, taking away the sin of the world as the sacrificial Lamb of God ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), so that by His wounds, we are truly healed from the spiritual disease of sin unto eternal life ([1 Peter 2:24](/1_peter/2-24 "1 Peter 2:24 - Christ Bore Our Sins")).

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

Acts 8:24

Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me.

Exodus 10:17

Now therefore forgive, I pray thee, my sin only this once, and intreat the LORD your God, that he may take away from me this death only.

Exodus 8:8

Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron, and said, Intreat the LORD, that he may take away the frogs from me, and from my people; and I will let the people go, that they may do sacrifice unto the LORD.

Exodus 9:28

Intreat the LORD (for [it is] enough) that there be no [more] mighty thunderings and hail; and I will let you go, and ye shall stay no longer.

Luke 6:27

¶ But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,

Luke 6:28

Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.

Numbers 21:7

Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD, and against thee; pray unto the LORD, that he take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people.