1 Kings 13:21
and 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,
and the prophet cried out to the man of God who had come from Judah,

The old prophet of Bethel pronounced God’s judgment upon the prophet from Judah, whose ministry had confronted Jeroboam’s false worship at Bethel. Though he had delivered God’s message faithfully to the king, he had later accepted the old prophet’s invitation and remained in the northern kingdom against God’s instruction.

2Ki 23:17-18 Then the king asked, “What is this monument I see?”……
Amo 7:12-15 And Amaziah said to Amos, “Go away, you seer!…

“This is what the LORD says:

The judgment came with the authority of the LORD, not merely from the old prophet. God held the man of God accountable for departing from the command he had received.

2Ki 1:4 Therefore this is what the LORD says: …
1Ki 14:7 Go, tell Jeroboam that this is what the LORD says:…

‘Because you have defied the word of the LORD

The man of God had chosen the old prophet’s contrary claim over the direct word God had given him. His disobedience was not excused by the deception he received.

Num 15:31 He shall certainly be cut off, because he has despised…
1Sa 15:23 For rebellion is like the sin of divination…

and have not kept the commandment that the LORD your God gave you,

God’s command had forbidden him to eat, drink, or return by the same route after announcing judgment at Bethel. By disregarding that command, he failed in the duty entrusted to him.

Deu 5:32 So be careful to do as the LORD your God has commanded you;…
Deu 6:17 You are to diligently keep the commandments of the LORD…

Persons / Places / Events
1. The Man of God from Judah
A prophet sent by God to deliver a message to King Jeroboam. He is central to the account as he initially obeys God's command but later disobeys.

2. The Old Prophet from Bethel
An older prophet who deceives the man of God from Judah, leading to his disobedience. His role is pivotal in the unfolding of the events.

3. Bethel
A significant location in the Northern Kingdom of Israel, where King Jeroboam set up one of the golden calves, leading Israel into idolatry.

4. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant God of Israel, who communicates His will and commands through prophets.

5. King Jeroboam
The first king of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, known for leading Israel into idolatry.
Teaching Points
Obedience to God's Word
The man of God's account highlights the importance of complete obedience to God's commands. Partial obedience or deviation, even under the influence of others, can lead to dire consequences.

Discernment Against Deception
Believers must exercise discernment, especially when others claim to speak for God. The old prophet's deception serves as a warning to test all teachings against Scripture.

The Consequences of Disobedience
The account illustrates that disobedience to God, even by His chosen messengers, results in judgment. This underscores the seriousness of adhering to God's instructions.

The Role of Prophets
Prophets are God's mouthpieces, and their messages must align with God's revealed word. The account warns against false prophets who may lead others astray.

God's Sovereignty and Justice
Despite human failure, God's purposes prevail. The man of God's fate serves as a reminder of God's sovereign justice and the fulfillment of His word.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the account of the man of God from Judah challenge us to evaluate our own obedience to God's commands?

2. In what ways can we guard against deception and ensure that we are following true teachings according to Scripture?

3. What are some modern-day examples of situations where believers might be tempted to compromise their obedience to God?

4. How does the account of 1 Kings 13:21 illustrate the importance of discernment in spiritual matters?

5. Reflect on a time when you faced a choice between obeying God's word and following the influence of others. What did you learn from that experience, and how can it apply to your life today?
Connections to Other Scriptures
1 Kings 13:1-10
Provides context for the man of God's initial obedience and the miraculous sign given to Jeroboam.

1 Kings 13:11-32
Details the deception by the old prophet and the consequences of the man of God's disobedience.

Deuteronomy 13:1-5
Discusses the importance of adhering to God's commands and the danger of false prophets.

Galatians 1:8-9
Emphasizes the importance of adhering to the true gospel and the danger of being led astray by false teachings.
Disobedience in One PointF. F. Emerson.1 Kings 13:11-32
Disobedience VisitedSketches of Sermons1 Kings 13:11-32
On the Character of the Man of God that Came from JudahJ. Puckle, M. A.1 Kings 13:11-32
The Disobedient ProphetR. Jones, M. A.1 Kings 13:11-32
The Disobedient ProphetT. Grantham.1 Kings 13:11-32
The Disobedient ProphetH. P. Liddon, D. D.1 Kings 13:11-32
The Disobedient ProphetG. Hunsworth, M. A.1 Kings 13:11-32
The Disobedient Prophet of JudahJ. O. Coghlan, D. D.1 Kings 13:11-32
The Fatal Result of DisobedienceW. A. Griffiths.1 Kings 13:11-32
The Law of ObedienceN. D. Hillis, D. D.1 Kings 13:11-32
The Nameless ProphetA. Rowland, B. A.1 Kings 13:11-32
The Penalty of DisobedienceR. W. Evans, B. D.1 Kings 13:11-32
The Prophet's Temptation and FallT. H. Barnet.1 Kings 13:11-32
The Disobedient ProphetJ. Waite 1 Kings 13:20-22
The Two Erring ProphetsE. D. Griffiths, D. D.1 Kings 13:20-22
The Voice of ReproofJ.A. Macdonald 1 Kings 13:20-22
People
David, Jeroboam, Josiah
Places
Bethel, Samaria
Topics
Calleth, Charged, Command, Commanded, Commandment, Cried, Crying, Defied, Disobedient, Disobeyed, Forasmuch, Hast, Judah, Kept, Mouth, Observed, Ordered, Provoked, Rebelled, Saying, Says, Thus, Voice
Dictionary of Bible Themes
1 Kings 13:6-22

     4293   water

1 Kings 13:7-22

     4418   bread

1 Kings 13:21-22

     1429   prophecy, OT fulfilment
     5829   defiance

Library
Whether Christ Took Flesh of the Seed of David?
Objection 1: It would seem that Christ did not take flesh of the seed of David. For Matthew, in tracing the genealogy of Christ, brings it down to Joseph. But Joseph was not Christ's father, as shown above ([4138]Q[28], A[1], ad 1,2). Therefore it seems that Christ was not descended from David. Objection 2: Further, Aaron was of the tribe of Levi, as related Ex. 6. Now Mary the Mother of Christ is called the cousin of Elizabeth, who was a daughter of Aaron, as is clear from Lk. 1:5,36. Therefore,
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Interpretation of Prophecy.
1. The scriptural idea of prophecy is widely removed from that of human foresight and presentiment. It is that of a revelation made by the Holy Spirit respecting the future, always in the interest of God's kingdom. It is no part of the plan of prophecy to gratify vain curiosity respecting "the times or the seasons which the Father hath put in his own power." Acts 1:7. "Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God"--this is its key-note. In its form it is carefully adapted to this great end.
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible

And Yet, by Reason of that Affection of the Human Heart...
9. And yet, by reason of that affection of the human heart, whereby "no man ever hateth his own flesh," [2731] if men have reason to know that after their death their bodies will lack any thing which in each man's nation or country the wonted order of sepulture demandeth, it makes them sorrowful as men; and that which after death reacheth not unto them, they do before death fear for their bodies: so that we find in the Books of Kings, God by one prophet threatening another prophet who had transgressed
St. Augustine—On Care to Be Had for the Dead.

The Prophet Hosea.
GENERAL PRELIMINARY REMARKS. That the kingdom of Israel was the object of the prophet's ministry is so evident, that upon this point all are, and cannot but be, agreed. But there is a difference of opinion as to whether the prophet was a fellow-countryman of those to whom he preached, or was called by God out of the kingdom of Judah. The latter has been asserted with great confidence by Maurer, among others, in his Observ. in Hos., in the Commentat. Theol. ii. i. p. 293. But the arguments
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

Paul's Departure and Crown;
OR, AN EXPOSITION UPON 2 TIM. IV. 6-8 ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR How great and glorious is the Christian's ultimate destiny--a kingdom and a crown! Surely it hath not entered into the heart of man to conceive what ear never heard, nor mortal eye ever saw? the mansions of the blest--the realms of glory--'a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.' For whom can so precious an inheritance be intended? How are those treated in this world who are entitled to so glorious, so exalted, so eternal,
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Kings
The book[1] of Kings is strikingly unlike any modern historical narrative. Its comparative brevity, its curious perspective, and-with some brilliant exceptions--its relative monotony, are obvious to the most cursory perusal, and to understand these things is, in large measure, to understand the book. It covers a period of no less than four centuries. Beginning with the death of David and the accession of Solomon (1 Kings i., ii.) it traverses his reign with considerable fulness (1 Kings iii.-xi.),
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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