1 Kings 13 20

1 Kings 13:20 kjv

And it came to pass, as they sat at the table, that the word of the LORD came unto the prophet that brought him back:

1 Kings 13:20 nkjv

Now it happened, as they sat at the table, that the word of the LORD came to the prophet who had brought him back;

1 Kings 13:20 niv

While they were sitting at the table, the word of the LORD came to the old prophet who had brought him back.

1 Kings 13:20 esv

And as they sat at the table, the word of the LORD came to the prophet who had brought him back.

1 Kings 13:20 nlt

Then while they were sitting at the table, a command from the LORD came to the old prophet.

1 Kings 13 verses

1 Kings 13 20 Meaning

This verse marks a critical turning point in the narrative of 1 Kings chapter 13. While the two prophets, the man of God from Judah and the old prophet from Bethel, are sharing a meal, a true divine message of judgment unexpectedly arrives. The "word of the LORD" does not come to the man of God who had been previously deceived, but precisely to the old prophet who had uttered the deceptive lie that caused the man of God to disobey. This reveals the immediate nature of God's awareness of sin and His unerring resolve to deliver judgment, even through an instrument of deception. It underscores that disobedience to God's direct command, regardless of the perceived justification or the source of counter-information, incurs severe consequences.

1 Kings 13 20 Context

Chapter 13 details the narrative of a man of God sent from Judah to Bethel during the reign of King Jeroboam in Israel. Jeroboam had established golden calves as alternate places of worship to prevent his subjects from returning to Jerusalem, thus establishing idolatry. The man of God delivers a prophecy against Jeroboam's altar, foretelling its destruction, and a sign occurs, causing Jeroboam's hand to wither and then be restored. The man of God is explicitly commanded by the LORD not to eat bread or drink water in that place, nor to return by the same way. However, an old prophet residing in Bethel deceives the man of God, falsely claiming an angel instructed him to bring the man of God back to eat. The man of God believes the lie and disobeys God's initial clear command. Verse 20 occurs immediately after this act of disobedience, with both prophets still at the table, symbolizing that divine judgment for breaking a direct command is swift and certain, not waiting for a later time or different setting. The irony is poignant: the very one who delivered the lie now delivers God's truth, but it is a truth of impending judgment for the disobedient man of God.

1 Kings 13 20 Word analysis

• And it came to pass (וַיְהִי - va-ye-hi): A common Hebrew literary device indicating a sequence of events. It marks a narrative progression, highlighting that the following event directly results from the preceding actions.
• as they sat at the table (בְּשִׁבְתָּם אֶל־הַשֻּׁלְחָן - b'shiv-tam el-hash-shul-khan):
  • "sat": Denotes a posture of rest, communion, or even vulnerability.
  • "at the table": Signifies a shared meal, a moment of hospitality and fellowship. This setting underscores the immediacy of God's judgment during the very act of disobedience or its immediate aftermath, disrupting a scene of apparent peace with divine confrontation. It highlights the direct consequence of the man of God yielding to the deceptive invitation to eat.
• that the word of the LORD (דְּבַר יְהוָה - devar YHWH):
  • "word (דָּבָר - davar)": Emphasizes a specific, authoritative divine utterance. Not just an idea or feeling, but a declared message.
  • "of the LORD (יְהוָה - YHWH)": Specifies the divine origin from the covenant God of Israel. This phrase consistently denotes true, divine revelation, often implying a command, prophecy, or judgment. Here, its appearance stands in stark contrast to the old prophet's false claim of receiving the "word of the LORD" moments before. It demonstrates God's true authority overriding all human deceit.
• came unto (הָיָה אֶל - ha-yah el): Implies direct reception of the divine message by a specific person. It’s a common idiom for a prophet receiving a revelation.
• the prophet (הַנָּבִיא - han-navi): Refers specifically to the old prophet from Bethel. The article "the" indicates he is already identified in the narrative.
• that brought him back (אֲשֶׁר הֱשִׁיבוֹ - asher hesh-i'vo): This clause explicitly identifies the recipient of the true prophecy as the one responsible for leading the man of God into sin. This precise detail highlights divine irony and justice: the instigator of disobedience is now chosen to deliver the divine sentence upon the disobedient. It emphasizes the direct link between the old prophet's lie and the ensuing divine response.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "as they sat at the table, that the word of the LORD came": This immediate succession underscores divine omniscience and promptness in responding to disobedience. God does not wait; the judgment comes precisely at the point of transgression. It turns a scene of assumed fellowship into one of sudden divine intervention.
• "the word of the LORD came unto the prophet that brought him back": This is a powerful twist of fate and a demonstration of God's sovereign control. The one who spoke falsely about the word of the LORD is now forced to speak the true, judgmental word from the LORD. It's a public vindication of God's unwavering command and a testament to His ability to use even compromised vessels for His perfect will. It holds the old prophet accountable by making him an unwitting instrument of divine judgment against his own deception.

1 Kings 13 20 Bonus section

• The episode profoundly illustrates that God's judgment is often specific to the sin. Here, the immediate declaration of consequences while the man of God is still participating in the forbidden meal highlights divine justice responding directly to the violation of His previous instruction ("you shall eat no bread, nor drink water").
• This passage functions as a stark warning against adding to or subtracting from God's commands (Deut 4:2). The old prophet essentially added a new, contradictory command, and the man of God removed the prior explicit one.
• The event showcases a theme of divine communication not always through perfect vessels. Balaam also spoke true prophecies while being a compromised figure (Num 22-24). God's truth is potent regardless of the messenger's spiritual state, though their actions may still be judged. This reveals God's ultimate control and His priority for His word to be heard.
• The severity of the punishment for the man of God from Judah (his death) emphasizes that privilege and direct divine commission bring greater accountability. He, unlike Jeroboam's subjects, had directly heard from the LORD and personally experienced His power.
• The entire chapter, especially this verse, serves as a theological statement against the spiritual deception inherent in Jeroboam's alternative religion. It shows that even a prophet from Judah who challenged Jeroboam could fall if not fully aligned with God's very clear words, teaching reliance on pure revelation over convenient or comforting falsehoods.

1 Kings 13 20 Commentary

1 Kings 13:20 presents a stark and sobering moment in the biblical narrative. Immediately following the man of God's capitulation to the deceptive lie of the old prophet, God's true word dramatically breaks into the very scene of their shared meal. This serves as a powerful reminder of God's holy vigilance and His unwavering commitment to His commands. The most striking element is that the divine judgment is delivered not by the original man of God, but by the deceitful old prophet himself. This demonstrates God's sovereignty over all individuals, even those who might err or deliberately mislead. It also highlights the inescapable consequences of disobedience, particularly for those entrusted with His message. The divine decree against the man of God comes precisely because he chose to trust a new "word of the LORD" that contradicted a clear, unambiguous command he had personally received, underscoring the vital need for discernment and absolute adherence to God's revealed truth above all human persuasion, even that cloaked in spiritual guise. The tragic outcome for the man of God underscores that sincerity or apparent good intentions on the part of the tempter do not negate the consequences of disobedience to God's explicit instruction.