1 Kings 13 14

1 Kings 13:14 kjv

And went after the man of God, and found him sitting under an oak: and he said unto him, Art thou the man of God that camest from Judah? And he said, I am.

1 Kings 13:14 nkjv

and went after the man of God, and found him sitting under an oak. Then he said to him, "Are you the man of God who came from Judah?" And he said, "I am."

1 Kings 13:14 niv

and rode after the man of God. He found him sitting under an oak tree and asked, "Are you the man of God who came from Judah?" "I am," he replied.

1 Kings 13:14 esv

And he went after the man of God and found him sitting under an oak. And he said to him, "Are you the man of God who came from Judah?" And he said, "I am."

1 Kings 13:14 nlt

Then he rode after the man of God and found him sitting under a great tree. The old prophet asked him, "Are you the man of God who came from Judah?" "Yes, I am," he replied.

1 Kings 13 verses

1 Kings 13 14 Meaning

1 Kings 13:14 describes the critical moment when the older prophet from Bethel successfully tracks down the man of God from Judah, finding him resting. The older prophet then directly interrogates the man of God, confirming his identity as the prophet who had just come from Judah to deliver God's message against Jeroboam's altar in Bethel. This identification sets the stage for the old prophet's subsequent deception.

1 Kings 13 14 Context

1 Kings chapter 13 immediately follows the division of the united kingdom of Israel after Solomon's death and the rebellion led by Jeroboam. Jeroboam, now king of the northern kingdom of Israel, established rival worship centers in Dan and Bethel with golden calves to prevent his people from going to Jerusalem for worship, directly defying the Mosaic Law and the Lord's covenant with Israel. This act initiated widespread idolatry.

In this context, a "man of God" from Judah is sent by the Lord to Bethel, where Jeroboam is officiating at his altar. The prophet delivers a powerful message of judgment against the altar, foretelling its destruction and a future king named Josiah who would burn the bones of the idolatrous priests upon it. The man of God proves his divine authority by a sign: the altar splits, and Jeroboam's hand, stretched out to seize the prophet, withers (1 Kgs 13:1-5). After being restored by the prophet's prayer, Jeroboam offers hospitality, but the man of God firmly refuses, stating God's direct command not to eat, drink, or return by the same way from Bethel (1 Kgs 13:8-10).

Upon hearing about these events from his sons, an old prophet living in Bethel sets out to find the man of God. The verse 1 Kgs 13:14 describes his successful pursuit and the initial deceptive inquiry, setting the stage for his subsequent lie (1 Kgs 13:18) which tragically leads the man of God from Judah to disobey the Lord's clear command.

1 Kings 13 14 Word analysis

• And went after: This indicates the active and deliberate pursuit by the older prophet from Bethel. The Hebrew wa·ye·lech a·cha·rav implies purposeful following or pursuit, highlighting the old prophet's intent to engage with the man of God.
• the man of God: The Hebrew אִישׁ הָאֱלֹהִים ('ish ha·'e·lo·him) means "man of God." This title signifies a prophet or individual specifically designated and sent by God to deliver His word, demonstrating divine authority. It underscores the high standing of the prophet from Judah, making his subsequent fall all the more tragic. This title is repeatedly used in the chapter to emphasize his divine appointment and the clear divine instruction he had received.
• found him: The Hebrew וַיִּמְצָאֵהוּ (wa·yim·tza·'e·hu) suggests the success of the old prophet's search, implying discovery after a pursuit.
• sitting under an oak: The Hebrew תַּחַת הָאֵלָה (ta·chat ha·'e·lah) refers to a terebinth or oak tree. Such trees often served as natural resting places and sometimes, controversially, as sites for pagan worship in ancient Canaan (Deut 12:2; Hos 4:13). In this instance, it portrays the man of God as weary and vulnerable after his mission and journey, making him susceptible to persuasion or deception.
• and said unto him: This marks the initiation of direct verbal interaction between the two prophets.
• Art thou: The interrogative הַאַתָּה (ha·'at·tah) is a direct question used to confirm identity. It shows the old prophet's immediate objective: to ascertain if this indeed was the individual he sought.
• the man of God: Repetition of this title emphasizes its significance and the old prophet's awareness of who he was dealing with – not just any man, but a divinely commissioned messenger.
• that camest from Judah?: This specific identifier, linking the prophet to his geographic origin, served to confirm he was the exact prophet who had just publicly confronted Jeroboam and his idolatry, further validating the old prophet's identification.

1 Kings 13 14 Bonus section

The detailed geographical mention ("from Judah") served not only as an identifier but also as a stark contrast, highlighting that genuine prophecy against Bethel's idolatry emanated from Judah, the kingdom upholding Jerusalem as the center of true worship. This reinforces the polemic against Jeroboam's northern cult. The old prophet’s waiting until the man of God was "sitting under an oak," likely exhausted and perhaps hungry (given his recent fast), could be seen as a calculated move, exploiting the man of God's physical and psychological vulnerability for easier persuasion. This detail underscores that temptation often strikes when one is at a point of weariness or perceived safety after fulfilling a difficult task.

1 Kings 13 14 Commentary

1 Kings 13:14 is a pivotal moment in the tragic narrative of the man of God from Judah. Having already demonstrated unwavering faithfulness in boldly confronting Jeroboam and steadfastly refusing the king's hospitality, the prophet is now found resting. This verse illustrates the critical point of encounter between genuine divine instruction and the potential for deception, even from within the prophetic community. The older prophet, whose motives are suspect, successfully identifies his target, using a direct and seemingly innocuous question to gain an opening. This seemingly simple question, confirming the man of God's identity and origin, belies the deep-seated deception that will follow. It highlights the vulnerability of individuals, even those faithful to God's direct command, when faced with human fatigue or cunning manipulation, particularly when the deceiver appears to be of the same spiritual ilk. The chapter is a stark warning that obedience to the specific word of the Lord should supersede any later, seemingly contradictory claims, even if presented by another who purports to speak for God. The man of God's initial refusal to eat and drink was based on an explicit divine prohibition, which should have been his unwavering guide. His subsequent susceptibility in 1 Kgs 13:18, following this initial inquiry, emphasizes the danger of resting on past victories or letting down one's guard against subtle forms of temptation and false spiritual authority.