1 Kings 13:7

KJV

And the king said unto the man of God, Come home with me, and refresh thyself, and I will give thee a reward.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the king {H4428} said {H1696} unto the man {H376} of God {H430}, Come {H935} home {H1004} with me, and refresh {H5582} thyself, and I will give {H5414} thee a reward {H4991}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The king then said to the man of God, "Come home with me, and refresh yourself, and I will give you a reward.

Berean Standard Bible

Then the king said to the man of God, “Come home with me and refresh yourself, and I will give you a reward.”

American Standard Version

And the king said unto the man of God, Come home with me, and refresh thyself, and I will give thee a reward.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Following a dramatic confrontation and miraculous intervention at Bethel, King Jeroboam, whose withered hand had just been restored by the man of God, extends an invitation to the prophet. This verse captures the king's offer of hospitality, urging the prophet to return to his home for refreshment and promising him a reward. While seemingly a gesture of gratitude and goodwill, this invitation immediately precedes a strict divine command given to the man of God, making Jeroboam's offer a subtle yet profound test of the prophet's unwavering obedience to God's specific instructions.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is pivotal, occurring immediately after a powerful display of divine judgment and mercy. The unnamed man of God from Judah had been sent by the Lord to condemn King Jeroboam's idolatrous altar at Bethel, where the king had established one of his golden calves, leading Israel into sin ([1 Kings 12:28-30](/1_kings/12-28 "1 Kings 12:28-30 - Jeroboam's Golden Calves")). The prophet delivered a bold prophecy against the altar, which was confirmed by a sign: the altar split apart, and its ashes were poured out. When Jeroboam stretched out his hand to seize the prophet, his hand withered, rendering him unable to withdraw it. In desperation, the king pleaded with the prophet to intercede with the Lord for his hand to be restored, which the man of God did, and the king's hand was healed. Jeroboam's invitation in [1 Kings 13:7](/1_kings/13-7 "1 Kings 13:7 - Jeroboam's Invitation to the Prophet") is his immediate response to this miraculous healing, a gesture that appears to be one of gratitude but quickly becomes a test of the prophet's integrity and obedience to the Lord's clear instructions not to eat, drink, or return by the same way ([1 Kings 13:9](/1_kings/13-9 "1 Kings 13:9 - God's Command to the Man of God")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is the newly divided kingdom of Israel, with Jeroboam ruling the northern tribes. His establishment of golden calves in Bethel and Dan was a deliberate religious innovation designed to prevent his subjects from returning to Jerusalem to worship, thereby securing his political power ([1 Kings 12:26-27](/1_kings/12-26 "1 Kings 12:26-27 - Jeroboam's Political Motivations")). Prophetic ministry played a crucial role in ancient Israel, often serving as God's direct voice to kings and the people, calling them back to covenant faithfulness. Hospitality was a deeply ingrained cultural value in the ancient Near East, often extended to travelers and strangers, and refusing it could be seen as an insult. Kings, in particular, would offer rewards or gifts (Hebrew: *mattânâh*) to those who performed valuable services or brought good news, a practice that could also be used to exert influence or buy loyalty. The prophet's strict divine command to abstain from food and drink in the idolatrous land of Israel was a symbolic act of separation and a test of absolute obedience, emphasizing the purity of his divine message and his detachment from the corrupt system he was condemning.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes to several overarching themes within [1 Kings 13](/1_kings/13 "1 Kings 13 - The Man of God from Judah") and the broader narrative of the divided kingdom. One primary theme is **Divine Authority vs. Human Influence**, where the prophet's commitment to God's word is immediately challenged by the king's seemingly benevolent, yet potentially compromising, offer. The king's invitation highlights the theme of **Temptation and Obedience**, as it directly contravenes the Lord's specific instructions to the prophet. This sets up a critical test of the prophet's **Prophetic Integrity**, emphasizing that a true prophet must deliver God's message without personal gain or compromise, especially from those whose actions they have condemned. The narrative also underscores the **Consequences of Disobedience**, even seemingly minor ones, foreshadowing the tragic fate of the man of God later in the chapter due to his eventual failure to adhere to the Lord's command ([1 Kings 13:24](/1_kings/13-24 "1 Kings 13:24 - The Lion Kills the Prophet")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Refresh (Hebrew, _shūb'_):** While the primary meaning of *shūb* is "to turn back, return," in this context, it carries the nuance of "to be restored, to recover strength," often through rest, food, and drink after a journey or strenuous activity. Jeroboam's use of this word suggests a desire for the prophet to regain his vigor and perhaps to linger, implying a deeper motive than mere hospitality. It hints at an attempt to normalize relations or even to subtly influence the prophet.
* **Reward (Hebrew, _mattânâh'_):** This term signifies "a gift, present, or reward." In the ancient Near East, kings commonly bestowed such gifts as a sign of favor, appreciation, or as payment for services rendered. For a prophet, however, accepting a gift from a king whose idolatry he had just condemned would be highly problematic. It could be perceived as a bribe, a compromise of his prophetic impartiality, or an acceptance of the very system he was sent to denounce, thereby undermining the purity and authority of his divine message.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the king said unto the man of God":** This phrase emphasizes the direct interaction between the two central figures of the narrative. The king, having just experienced a miraculous healing through the prophet's intercession, now initiates a dialogue, shifting from a position of hostility (stretching out his hand to seize the prophet) to one of apparent gratitude and invitation.
* **"Come home with me, and refresh thyself":** This is Jeroboam's invitation for hospitality. "Come home with me" implies a personal invitation to the royal residence, a significant gesture. "Refresh thyself" (from *shūb*) suggests an offer of rest and sustenance after the prophet's journey and intense prophetic activity, which included a fast. On the surface, it seems gracious, but in light of God's command in [1 Kings 13:9](/1_kings/13-9 "1 Kings 13:9 - God's Command to the Man of God"), it becomes a direct challenge to the prophet's obedience.
* **"and I will give thee a reward":** This explicit offer of a "reward" (mattânâh) reveals Jeroboam's underlying motive. Beyond mere hospitality, the king seeks to compensate the prophet, perhaps to show gratitude, but also potentially to buy his favor, influence him, or even to prevent further divine judgment. For a prophet, accepting such a reward from a condemned king would compromise his integrity and the divine nature of his mission.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several potent literary devices. **Irony** is prominent, as the king, whose hand was miraculously healed by the prophet, immediately extends an invitation that directly contradicts the divine command given to the very person who healed him. This sets up a test of the prophet's integrity. There is also a strong **Temptation Motif** at play, where Jeroboam's seemingly benevolent offer of hospitality and reward serves as a subtle, yet dangerous, lure away from God's clear instructions. The narrative uses **Contrast** between the prophet's initial unwavering obedience and the king's manipulative generosity, highlighting the stark difference between divine purpose and human self-interest. Furthermore, the verse serves as a moment of **Foreshadowing**, subtly hinting at the subsequent narrative where the prophet's eventual failure to maintain his strict obedience leads to tragic consequences, underscoring the severe implications of compromising divine commands for human comfort or gain.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse underscores the profound theological principle that divine commands are absolute and not subject to human negotiation, even when presented with seemingly benevolent or advantageous offers. The king's invitation, while appearing gracious, represents a subtle form of temptation, designed to test the prophet's resolve and commitment to God's specific instructions. It highlights the constant tension between serving God purely and succumbing to the allure of human comfort, approval, or material gain. True prophetic ministry, and indeed all faithful service to God, demands unwavering obedience and an uncompromised testimony, demonstrating that God's word is paramount above all earthly considerations.

* [Deuteronomy 13:1-5](/deuteronomy/13-1 "Deuteronomy 13:1-5 - Testing a Prophet")
* [Numbers 22:18](/numbers/22-18 "Numbers 22:18 - Balaam's Refusal of Balak's Offer")
* [Matthew 4:8-10](/matthew/4-8 "Matthew 4:8-10 - Jesus Resists Temptation")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The narrative of the man of God and King Jeroboam serves as a powerful and enduring lesson for believers today regarding the nature of temptation and the paramount importance of unwavering obedience to God's specific commands. Not all temptations manifest as overtly evil or sinful propositions; often, they come disguised as good opportunities, generous offers, or seemingly harmless comforts that can subtly divert us from God's clear will. This passage calls us to cultivate spiritual discernment, carefully weighing every invitation, opportunity, or reward against the revealed word of God and the specific instructions He has given us. Our ultimate loyalty must reside with God's word, prioritizing His will above human approval, personal comfort, or any material gain, no matter how appealing they may seem. Just as the prophet's integrity was at stake, our witness for Christ is also at risk when we compromise our principles or deviate from divine mandates for worldly advantages. The subsequent tragic outcome for the man of God in [1 Kings 13](/1_kings/13 "1 Kings 13 - The Man of God from Judah") serves as a stark reminder of the severe consequences that can arise from even seemingly small acts of disobedience, urging us to maintain a pure testimony and an unblemished commitment to Christ in all circumstances.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What seemingly "good" or "harmless" offers in your life might subtly tempt you away from God's clear commands or principles?**
* **How can you cultivate greater spiritual discernment to recognize temptations that come disguised as opportunities or acts of kindness?**
* **In what areas of your life are you most tempted to compromise your integrity for comfort, approval, or material reward?**
* **What steps can you take to prioritize God's word and unwavering obedience above all other considerations?**

### FAQ
**Why was it so important for the man of God to refuse Jeroboam's offer of hospitality and a reward?**

Answer: It was critically important for several reasons rooted in God's specific command and the nature of prophetic ministry. First, the Lord had explicitly commanded the man of God: "Eat no bread, nor drink water, nor turn again by the same way that thou camest" ([1 Kings 13:9](/1_kings/13-9 "1 Kings 13:9 - God's Command to the Man of God")). This was a symbolic act of separation from the idolatrous kingdom of Israel and a test of the prophet's absolute obedience. Accepting Jeroboam's hospitality would directly violate this divine mandate. Second, accepting a reward from the very king whose idolatrous practices he had just condemned would compromise the prophet's integrity and the purity of his message. It could be perceived as a bribe, suggesting that his prophetic word was for sale or that he could be influenced, thereby undermining the divine authority of his mission. His refusal would demonstrate his complete reliance on God and his detachment from the corrupt system he was sent to judge.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of the man of God's temptation and eventual failure to maintain obedience, initiated by Jeroboam's seemingly benevolent offer in [1 Kings 13:7](/1_kings/13-7 "1 Kings 13:7 - Jeroboam's Invitation to the Prophet"), profoundly foreshadows Christ's perfect obedience and resistance to temptation. Unlike the man of God who eventually succumbed to a deceptive offer of food and drink ([1 Kings 13:18-19](/1_kings/13-18 "1 Kings 13:18-19 - The Old Prophet's Deception")), Jesus faced the most profound temptations, including offers of worldly glory and sustenance, yet remained perfectly obedient to His Father's will. In the wilderness, Satan offered Jesus all the kingdoms of the world if He would only bow down and worship him ([Matthew 4:8-9](/matthew/4-8 "Matthew 4:8-9 - Satan's Temptation of Jesus")), a temptation for power and reward far greater than Jeroboam's offer. Yet, Jesus steadfastly replied, "Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve" ([Matthew 4:10](/matthew/4-10 "Matthew 4:10 - Jesus Rebukes Satan")). Where the man of God failed to maintain his prophetic integrity in the face of human influence and comfort, Jesus perfectly embodied the true prophet, delivering God's message without compromise, seeking no personal gain, and remaining utterly devoted to the Father's mission, even to the point of death on the cross ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience to Death")). His life is the ultimate fulfillment of unblemished obedience, demonstrating that true refreshment and reward come not from worldly offers, but from doing the will of Him who sent Him ([John 4:34](/john/4-34 "John 4:34 - Jesus' Food is Doing God's Will")).

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.