I Kings 13:20-26 · Bible study
1 Kings 13:20-26 Commentary: Who Heard God's Word?
Hebrew · 9 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Who received God's word in 1 Kings 13:20? Explore the ambiguous grammar, the harsh judgment on a prophet's disobedience, and the strange sign of the lion that confirmed
Research Summary
- Meaning: God judges disobedience in his servants, even when they were deceived, to uphold the authority of his word.
- Key words: Marah pi YHWH (“disobeyed the mouth of the LORD”), a phrase that stresses rebellion against a direct command.
- Main debate: Did the word of the Lord come to the old prophet or to the man of God? The Hebrew is ambiguous.
- Theological theme: The seriousness of God’s word; partial obedience is still disobedience; God’s judgment can include mercy.
- Best use: A sobering warning for believers to hold fast to Scripture, especially when tested by authority figures.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
20While they were sitting at the table, the word of the LORD came to the prophet who had brought him back,
21and the prophet cried out to the man of God who had come from Judah, “This is what the LORD says: ‘Because you have defied the word of the LORD and have not kept the commandment that the LORD your God gave you,
22but 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.’”
23And after the man of God had finished eating and drinking, the old prophet who had brought him back saddled the donkey for him.
24As he went on his way, a lion met him on the road and killed him, and his body was left lying in the road, with the donkey and the lion standing beside it.
25And there were men passing by who saw the body lying in the road with the lion standing beside it, and they went and reported this in the city where the old prophet lived.
26When 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.”
WEB World English Bible 2000
20As they sat at the table, Yahweh’s word came to the prophet who brought him back;
21and he cried out to the man of God who came from Judah, saying, “Yahweh says, ‘Because you have been disobedient to Yahweh’s word, and have not kept the commandment which Yahweh your God commanded you,
22but came back, and have eaten bread and drank water in the place of which he said to you, “Eat no bread, and drink no water,” your body will not come to the tomb of your fathers.’”
23After he had eaten bread and after he drank, he saddled the donkey for the prophet whom he had brought back.
24When he had gone, a lion met him by the way and killed him. His body was thrown on the path, and the donkey stood by it. The lion also stood by the body.
25Behold, men passed by and saw the body thrown on the path, and the lion standing by the body; and they came and told it in the city where the old prophet lived.
26When the prophet who brought him back from the way heard of it, he said, “It is the man of God who was disobedient to Yahweh’s word. Therefore Yahweh has delivered him to the lion, which has mauled him and slain him, according to Yahweh’s word which he spoke to him.”
KJV King James Version 1769
20And it came to pass, as they sat at the table, that the word of the Lord came unto the prophet that brought him back:
21And he cried unto the man of God that came from Judah, saying, Thus saith the Lord, Forasmuch as thou hast disobeyed the mouth of the Lord, and hast not kept the commandment which the Lord thy God commanded thee,
22But 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.
23And it came to pass, after he had eaten bread, and after he had drunk, that he saddled for him the ass, to wit, for the prophet whom he had brought back.
24And when he was gone, a lion met him by the way, and slew him: and his carcase was cast in the way, and the ass stood by it, the lion also stood by the carcase.
25And, behold, men passed by, and saw the carcase cast in the way, and the lion standing by the carcase: and they came and told it in the city where the old prophet dwelt.
26And 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.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
20And it came to pass, as they sat at the table, that the word of Jehovah came unto the prophet that brought him back;
21and he cried unto the man of God that came from Judah, saying, Thus saith Jehovah, Forasmuch as thou hast been disobedient unto the mouth of Jehovah, and hast not kept the commandment which Jehovah thy God commanded thee,
22but 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.
23And it came to pass, after he had eaten bread, and after he had drunk, that he saddled for him the ass, to wit, for the prophet whom he had brought back.
24And when he was gone, a lion met him by the way, and slew him: and his body was cast in the way, and the ass stood by it; the lion also stood by the body.
25And, behold, men passed by, and saw the body cast in the way, and the lion standing by the body; and they came and told it in the city where the old prophet dwelt.
26And 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.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
20And it cometh to pass--they are sitting at the table--and a word of Jehovah is unto the prophet who brought him back,
21and he calleth unto the man of God who came from Judah, saying, `Thus said Jehovah, Because that thou hast provoked the mouth of Jehovah, and hast not kept the command that Jehovah thy God charged thee,
22and turnest back and dost eat bread and drink water in the place of which He said unto thee, Thou dost not eat bread nor drink water--thy carcase cometh not in unto the burying-place of thy fathers.'
23And it cometh to pass, after his eating bread, and after his drinking, that he saddleth for him the ass, for the prophet whom he had brought back,
24and he goeth, and a lion findeth him in the way, and putteth him to death, and his carcase is cast in the way, and the ass is standing near it, and the lion is standing near the carcase.
25And lo, men are passing by, and see the carcase cast in the way, and the lion standing near the carcase, and they come and speak of it in the city in which the old prophet is dwelling.
26And the prophet who brought him back out of the way heareth and saith, `It is the man of God who provoked the mouth of Jehovah, and Jehovah giveth him to the lion, and it destroyeth him, and putteth him to death, according to the word of Jehovah that he spake to him.'
Darby Darby Bible 1890
20And it came to pass as they sat at the table, that the word of Jehovah came to the prophet that brought him back;
21and he cried to the man of God that came from Judah, saying, Thus saith Jehovah: Forasmuch as thou hast disobeyed the word of Jehovah, and hast not kept the commandment that Jehovah thy God commanded thee,
22but 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 carcase shall not come to the sepulchre of thy fathers.
23And it came to pass, after he had eaten bread, and after he had drunk, that he saddled the ass for him, for the prophet that he had brought back;
24and he departed. And a lion met him by the way and slew him; and his corpse was cast in the way, and the ass stood by it; the lion also stood by the corpse.
25And behold, men passed by, and saw the corpse cast in the way and the lion standing by the corpse; and they came and told it in the city where the old prophet dwelt.
26And the prophet that brought him back from the way heard [of it] and said, It is the man of God who was disobedient to the word of Jehovah; therefore Jehovah has delivered him to the lion, which has torn him and slain him, according to the word of Jehovah which he spoke to him.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
20And as they sat at table, the word of the Lord came to the prophet that brought him back:
21And he cried out to the man of God who came out of Juda, saying: Thus saith the Lord: Because thou hast not been obedient to the Lord, and hast not kept the commandment which the Lord thy God commanded thee,
22And hast returned, and eaten bread, and drunk water in the place wherein he commanded thee that thou shouldst not eat bread, nor drink water, thy dead body shall not be brought into the sepulchre of thy fathers.
23And when he had eaten and drunk, he saddled his ass for the prophet, whom he had brought back.
24And when he was gone, a lion found him in the way, and killed him, and his body was cast in the way: and the ass stood by him, and the lion stood by the dead body.
25And behold, men passing by, saw the dead body cast in the way, and the lion standing by the body. And they came and told it in the city, wherein that old prophet dwelt.
26And when that prophet, who had brought him back out of the way, heard of it, he said: It is the man of God, that was disobedient to the mouth of the Lord, and the Lord hath delivered him to the lion, and he hath torn him, and killed him, according to the word of the Lord, which he spoke to him.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Biblical Hebrew)
Old Testament · Biblical Hebrew · I Kings 13:20
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
The central textual question in 1 Kings 13:20 is whether the Hebrew phrase asher heshibo means “the prophet who brought him back” (the old prophet) or “the prophet whom he had brought back” (the man of God). Adam Clarke notes that the identical phrase in verse 23 is translated “whom he had brought back,” which would shift the subject. Most commentators, however, including Barnes, Gill, and Keil and Delitzsch, take the subject as the old prophet, who then cries out a judgment against his guest. They agree that the man of God is punished for disobeying a direct command from God, even though he was deceived. The judgment is severe but serves to authenticate the original prophetic word against Jeroboam's altar. The circumstances, the lion that kills but does not eat, the donkey standing still, are seen as miraculous signs confirming that God's hand was in the event.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Medium
Main views:
- Word to the old prophet: The Hebrew phrase asher heshibo is read as 'who brought him back,' making the old prophet the recipient, consistent with many ancient versions.
- Word to the man of God: The same phrase in verse 23 is translated 'whom he had brought back,' suggesting the man of God as the recipient, supported by Adam Clarke.
What is clear: Regardless of the recipient, the man of God was punished for disobedience, and the lion’s behavior authenticated God’s word.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Recipient of the word in v. 20 | All traditions agree that God’s word was spoken in response to the situation. | Some (following Clarke) argue the word came to the man of God himself; most commentators hold it came to the old prophet. |
| Fairness of the judgment | The man of God was held responsible for disobeying a clear divine command. | Catholics and many Protestants stress that even deception does not excuse intentional sin; others see the punishment as disproportionate, given the man was lied to. |
| The old prophet’s guilt | The old prophet lied (v. 18) and later acknowledged God’s judgment was just. | The text does not record a punishment for the old prophet, leading some to wonder if he repented; others assume God’s mercy was at work, but this is not explicit. |
| Meaning of the lion’s behavior | The lion not eating the body or harming the donkey is a miraculous sign of divine control. | Some see it as a sign of judgment, others as a sign that the man of God, though punished, was not abandoned, his body was preserved for burial. |
Historical & Cultural Context
This passage takes place in Bethel, the southern royal sanctuary where Jeroboam set up a golden calf (1 Kings 12:28-29). The “man of God from Judah” had been sent to denounce that altar. The “old prophet” who lived in Bethel likely had some standing in the northern kingdom; his sons witnessed the man of God's confrontation with the king. The prohibition against eating or drinking in Bethel was absolute: to accept hospitality there would be to associate with the idolatrous worship. The phrase “eat bread and drink water” (verses 16-17) is a merism meaning “take any refreshment.” Burial with one’s fathers was a deeply held value (Genesis 47:30, 49:29); to be denied that was a mark of divine disfavor. Lions still roamed the hill country of Israel at this time (1 Samuel 17:34; 2 Kings 2:24), so a lion attack was plausible, but the details, the lion standing by the body, the donkey not fleeing, point to supernatural control. The men who saw the corpse reported it to the city (Bethel), and the old prophet's reaction (verse 26) confirms that he recognized the judgment as fulfillment of God's word.
Textual Notes
The Hebrew text of 1 Kings 13:20-26 is stable, and the supplied sources note no significant textual variants. The main ambiguity is grammatical rather than textual: the phrase asher heshibo (אשר השיבו) can be read as active or passive, “who brought back” or “whom he had brought back.” This ambiguity has driven the interpretive debate, but it is a matter of syntax, not textual corruption.
Reception History
This passage has often been used in Christian teaching as a warning against false prophets and the danger of trusting human authority over God’s direct command. Early Jewish interpreters saw it as a lesson on the seriousness of disobeying a divine decree. In later Protestant tradition, the story was cited to argue that even a prophet can fall into sin, and that God’s word will stand despite human failure. Some Catholic commentators have drawn attention to the old prophet’s role: though he lied, he was still used by God, and his subsequent actions (burying the man of God) showed a form of repentance. The lion’s strange behavior has been interpreted as a symbol of God’s justice that does not consume the judged, leaving room for mercy. The passage is less frequently preached today, but where it is, it often serves as a stark reminder of the cost of disobedience.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- God’s word is not tied to the messenger’s character. The old prophet lied to bring the man of God back, yet God still spoke through him. This does not excuse the lie; it shows that God can use even flawed people to accomplish his purposes (Numbers 23:5,16).
- Partial obedience is disobedience. The man of God obeyed God’s initial command but let himself be persuaded by a seemingly spiritual authority. The warning stands: hold fast to what God has clearly said, even when a plausible alternative is offered.
- Judgment and mercy often appear together. The man of God died, but his body was not devoured; the old prophet later buried him honorably (verse 29). God’s judgment is real, but it is never without purpose, here it confirmed the truth of the prophecy against Jeroboam’s altar.
Five-point outline
- The invitation to eat (vv. 18-19). The old prophet uses a false claim of angelic revelation to deceive the man of God.
- The word comes mid-meal (vv. 20-21). Even as they sit together, God’s word interrupts, pronouncing judgment on the deceived prophet.
- The journey home (v. 23-24). After the meal, the man of God sets out and is killed by a lion.
- The sign (vv. 24-25). The lion stands by the body, the donkey remains, an unnatural tableau that draws attention and tourists.
- The confession (v. 26). The old prophet identifies the dead man as “the man of God who was disobedient,” implicitly vindicating the word he himself had spoken.
Illustration hooks
- A trusted advisor’s bad advice. You follow your pastor or a spiritual mentor, only to discover later their counsel contradicted what God had already shown you. How do you decide whom to trust?
- The “small” compromise. You know God said “no,” but the invitation comes from someone you respect, and it seems harmless. This story shows that obedience matters in the details.
- Unusual providence. A striking, almost bizarre event, like the lion standing guard, can be what God uses to make his message unforgettable. Think of moments when circumstances lined up so clearly you knew God was at work.
Questions your congregation is asking
- Was the punishment too severe for someone who was just trying to be hospitable or who was genuinely deceived?
- How can we tell if a message is really from God when the messenger is flawed or even lying?
- What does this story say about God’s character, both his justice and his commitment to see his word fulfilled?
Leading a Discussion
This passage raises hard questions about obedience, deception, and God’s justice. The man of God from Judah received a clear command from the Lord, but allowed himself to be persuaded otherwise by someone who claimed to speak for God. The result was fatal. Before you discuss, read the whole episode from verse 1 to 32 to understand the context of Jeroboam’s idolatry.
Discussion questions
- What stands out to you about the way the old prophet deceived the man of God? What does this tell us about spiritual discernment?
- Read verse 21 carefully: “Because you have been disobedient… and have not kept the commandment.” What commandment had the man of God broken? Was it fair to hold him accountable after he was lied to?
- The old prophet receives a word from the Lord and pronounces judgment even though he himself was the deceiver. How do you understand God using a liar to speak truth?
- Verse 24 says the lion killed the man of God but did not eat him. Why do you think that detail matters? What does it show about the nature of this judgment?
- How does this story challenge the idea that “everyone makes mistakes” or that “God understands” when we compromise on clear commands?
- In what areas of your own life have you felt pressure to disobey what you know God has said because of a persuasive voice (a friend, teacher, or even a spiritual leader)?
- How can we, as a group, help each other stay faithful to God’s word even when others encourage us to bend?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Genesis 22:11 | Yahweh’s angel called to him out of the sky, and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” He said, “Here I am.” |
| Numbers 23:5 | Yahweh put a word in Balaam’s mouth, and said, “Return to Balak, and thus you shall speak.” |
| Numbers 23:16 | Yahweh met Balaam, and put a word in his mouth, and said, “Return to Balak, and say this.” |
| Numbers 24:4 | he says, who hears the words of God, who sees the vision of the Almighty, falling down, and having his eyes open: |
| Numbers 24:16 | he says, who hears the words of God, knows the knowledge of the Most High, and who sees the vision of the Almighty, falling down, and having his eyes open: |
| Numbers 24:24 | But ships shall come from the coast of Kittim. They shall afflict Asshur, and shall afflict Eber. He also shall come to destruction.” |
| Matthew 7:22 | Many will tell me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in your name, in your name cast out demons, and in your name do many mighty works?’ |
| John 11:51 | Now he didn’t say this of himself, but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
9 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke argues that the sentence on the true prophet was pronounced directly by God, not by the false prophet; the Hebrew phrase can be read as "whom he had brought back," meaning God Himself spoke from heaven. He notes the severity of punishing the prophet with death while sparing the wicked king and the false prophet, showing that judgment begins with God's own people.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes stresses that the prophet should have demanded evidence equal to the original command before letting anyone persuade him to disobey. This sin required severe punishment because it was precisely the same rebellion as Jeroboam's — setting aside God's explicit word based on human persuasion.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
The commentator notes that the lion's natural instinct to devour its prey was supernaturally checked, so the beast stood guard over the body instead. This restraint proved the prophet's death was a direct judgment from God, not a mere accident. The denial of burial with his ancestors further underscored the divine penalty.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
The Geneva Notes stress that the man of God was slain for disobeying God's direct command, even though an older prophet deceived him. His punishment was just: God's word stands above any human authority, and no excuse removes the guilt of failing to obey it.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill highlights that God's word came to the lying old prophet, not to the disobedient man of God. The prophet who caused the sin was the one who received the judgment to pronounce, underscoring that those who lead others astray are accountable. The lion's restraint from devouring the body showed the death was God's specific judgment.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
JFB notes that the word of the Lord itself cried out against the prophet, not merely the man. The prophet's death by a lion was a severe but necessary judgment to confirm the truth of his original message, with every unnatural detail—the untouched carcass and ass, the lion's stillness—forcing recognition that God's hand was in it.
Keil & Delitzsch OT Commentary Protestant 1876
Keil-Delitzsch highlights the unnatural behavior of the lion: it killed the prophet but neither consumed the body nor attacked the donkey, staying by both. This marvel was no accident. It made God's judgment unmistakable to any who passed by.
Lange's Commentary Reformed 1857
Lange sees this narrative as carrying the stamp of oral tradition rather than contemporary prophetic writing, noting the anachronistic mention of Samaria and the naming of Josiah. He defends the old prophet of Bethel as a true worshiper of Jehovah who lied with good intentions, not a false prophet. The man of God's disobedience was a grave offense that nullified his mission and confirmed his prophecy against Jeroboam.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry notes that the old prophet lied about receiving an angelic message, yet the man of God was still held responsible for disobeying God's direct command. God's word stands firm even when a fellow prophet contradicts it, and no claim of divine revelation can excuse straying from what God has clearly said.