1 Kings 13 12

1 Kings 13:12 kjv

And their father said unto them, What way went he? For his sons had seen what way the man of God went, which came from Judah.

1 Kings 13:12 nkjv

And their father said to them, "Which way did he go?" For his sons had seen which way the man of God went who came from Judah.

1 Kings 13:12 niv

Their father asked them, "Which way did he go?" And his sons showed him which road the man of God from Judah had taken.

1 Kings 13:12 esv

And their father said to them, "Which way did he go?" And his sons showed him the way that the man of God who came from Judah had gone.

1 Kings 13:12 nlt

The old prophet asked them, "Which way did he go?" So they showed their father which road the man of God had taken.

1 Kings 13 verses

1 Kings 13 12 Meaning

The verse captures the moment when the old prophet's sons inquire of their father the specific direction taken by the anonymous "man of God" who had come from Judah to prophesy in Bethel. This question signifies their direct observation of the dramatic events of the day and sets in motion the old prophet's pursuit and eventual deception of the man of God.

1 Kings 13 12 Context

The setting for 1 Kings chapter 13 is Jeroboam's new, idolatrous cult established at Bethel in opposition to Jerusalem after the division of the kingdom of Israel. Jeroboam had constructed an altar and made golden calves, intending to draw the people away from worshipping in Jerusalem. The chapter opens with an unnamed "man of God" sent directly by the Lord from Judah to Bethel. This prophet pronounces a judgment against Jeroboam's altar, predicting its defilement by Josiah centuries later. When Jeroboam attempts to seize the man of God, his hand withers and the altar splits apart, confirming the prophecy. The man of God then strictly refuses Jeroboam's offer of a reward, reiterating God's command not to eat or drink in Bethel or return by the same way. Having departed from Bethel, he is sought by an "old prophet" residing there, whose sons had witnessed the dramatic events of the day. Verse 12 serves as the sons' critical inquiry that initiates their father's deceptive pursuit of the man of God, leading to the latter's tragic disobedience and death. The narrative stands as a stark warning against adding to or subtracting from God's explicit commands and the danger of succumbing to spiritual deception.

1 Kings 13 12 Word analysis

• And: This conjunction seamlessly connects the preceding narrative—the man of God's departure from Bethel—to this pivotal inquiry by the old prophet's sons. It suggests immediate aftermath and causal linkage.
• his sons: Refers to the sons of the old prophet of Bethel. Their presence signifies a continuation of the local prophetic lineage or school, implying their direct observation and possibly some awe regarding the divine demonstration just witnessed. Their testimony is critical, prompting their father's action.
• said to him: Indicates a direct conversation, highlighting the sons' report to their father. This parental-filial dynamic is instrumental in the unfolding deception.
• "Which way": (Hebrew: 'êzeh haddereḵ, lit. "which way" or "which road"). This is a crucial detail. The old prophet’s goal is to find and intercept the man of God. The specific divine command to the man of God was "You shall not return by the way that you came" (1 Ki 13:9), making knowledge of his specific departure route vital for an intercepting chase.
• did... go: Denotes past movement or departure. The sons witnessed his specific path after he left the altar.
• the man of God: (Hebrew: 'îsh hā'ĕlōhîm - literally "man of God"). This is a highly significant title, frequently used in the Old Testament to denote a prophet who possesses genuine divine authority and is a messenger for Yahweh (e.g., Moses, Samuel, Elijah, Elisha). It emphasizes his divine commission and sets him apart from false prophets or those operating by their own accord. The old prophet and his sons clearly recognize this specific man's divine appointment and authority based on the signs performed.
• who came today?: (Hebrew: 'ăšer bā' hayyôm - lit. "who came the day"). This emphasizes the immediacy and recency of the divine encounter and its profound impact on the local community, especially those in prophetic circles like the old prophet's family. It underscores that the events (the prophecy against the altar, Jeroboam's withered hand, the altar splitting) were fresh in their minds.

• "And his sons said to him": This phrase introduces the central inquiry that sets the subsequent narrative of deception into motion. It signifies a familial communication regarding an extraordinary event, pointing to the active involvement of the sons in observing the man of God's movements. Their observation becomes the catalyst for their father's plan.
• "Which way did the man of God go": This group of words zeroes in on the exact information needed for the old prophet's plot. The knowledge of the specific route is paramount for intercepting someone bound by a divine instruction not to return the same way. It highlights the calculated nature of the subsequent pursuit.
• "man of God who came today": This collective phrase establishes the identity and recency of the figure in question. The "man of God" title immediately signals his divine credentials and power, underscoring the weight of his prophecy and actions. The "came today" specifies that his appearance and dramatic acts were very recent, explaining the local impact and urgent interest in his whereabouts.

1 Kings 13 12 Bonus section

The passage highlights the stark contrast between a prophet truly commissioned and directly given God's explicit word (the "man of God" from Judah) and another who claims prophetic insight but deviates from truth for personal reasons (the "old prophet" of Bethel). The sons' question is entirely neutral in its delivery, but their father's use of the information is manipulative. The title "man of God" (ish Elohim) carries immense authority and respect within the Old Testament, suggesting a special relationship and direct communication with the divine. The subsequent actions of the old prophet demonstrate the dangers of seeking out or heeding messages that contradict a direct, clear revelation from God, even if such messages come from someone claiming to be a prophet. This narrative warns against a false sense of spiritual wisdom that can undermine obedience to a specific, clear divine command, and points to the destructive consequences of such disobedience.

1 Kings 13 12 Commentary

1 Kings 13:12 is a seemingly simple question, yet it is pivotal to the entire narrative of the unnamed man of God. The inquiry from the old prophet's sons about the specific direction the man of God took underscores their eyewitness account of the dramatic events at Jeroboam's altar in Bethel. Their identification of him as "the man of God" affirms his authentic divine commission, acknowledging the power and truth of his recent prophecy and signs. This verse acts as the crucial prompt, supplying the information the old prophet needs to pursue and tragically deceive the man of God, leading him to disobey God's explicit command. It subtly hints at the old prophet's awareness of the man of God's unique divine injunction regarding his return route, laying the groundwork for the ensuing temptation that leads to disobedience and dire consequences. The sons' question inadvertently paves the way for a test of obedience, not only for the "man of God" but also for the veracity of the old prophet's own spiritual claim.