1 Kings 13:1-10 ~ This is the sign the Lord has spoken

1 Kings 13:1-10

And behold, a man of God came out of Judah by the word of the Lord to Bethel.

Jeroboam was standing by the altar to make offerings.

2 And the man cried against the altar by the word of the Lord and said, “O altar, altar, thus says the Lord: ‘Behold, a son shall be born to the house of David, Josiah by name, and he shall sacrifice on you the priests of the high places who make offerings on you, and human bones shall be burned on you.’”

 3 And he gave a sign the same day, saying, “This is the sign that the Lord has spoken: ‘Behold, the altar shall be torn down, and the ashes that are on it shall be poured out.’”

4 And when the king heard the saying of the man of God, which he cried against the altar at Bethel, Jeroboam stretched out his hand from the altar, saying, “Seize him.” And his hand, which he stretched out against him, dried up, so that he could not draw it back to himself.

5 The altar also was torn down, and the ashes poured out from the altar, according to the sign that the man of God had given by the word of the Lord.

6 And the king said to the man of God, “Entreat now the favor of the Lord your God, and pray for me, that my hand may be restored to me.”

And the man of God entreated the Lord, and the king's hand was restored to him and became as it was before.

7 And the king said to the man of God, “Come home with me, and refresh yourself, and I will give you a reward.”

 8 And the man of God said to the king, “If you give me half your house, I will not go in with you. And I will not eat bread or drink water in this place, 9 for so was it commanded me by the word of the Lord, saying, ‘You shall neither eat bread nor drink water nor return by the way that you came.’” 10 So he went another way and did not return by the way that he came to Bethel.

Some Background History: 
While still young, Jeroboam was promoted by Solomon to be chief superintendent of the slaves. Upon hearing the prophet Ahijah (1 Kings 11:29-39), he began to conspire to become king; but was discovered, fled to Egypt, remaining under the protection of Pharaoh Shishak. Upon the death of Solomon, Rehoboam assumed the throne. The 10 northern tribes revolted against Solomon's son and asked Jeroboam to become king. 

Rehoboam's poor conduct helped Jeroboam, and Jeroboam (not of the Davidic line) was accordingly proclaimed a new king of Israel . Jeroboam fortified Shechem as the capital of his kingdom. and in Dan and Bethel,built "golden calves," which he set up as symbols of God, pulling worship away from Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem, but to bring their offerings to his shrines. He became distinguished as the man "who made Israel to sin." This miracle made no abiding impression on him. He was in constant war with the "House of Judah." 

Not your usual reaction in this passage, a unique reaction. Usually people have fear and trembling when dealing with Mighty Acts of God. The Scriptures do not record God trying again with Jeroboam. God must not have cared for the reaction. The Word of God, He sent forth, was fulfilled.

What happened to Bethel used as the altar of golden calves instead of God's Word?


Amos 5:5
Do not seek Bethel, do not go to Gilgal, do not journey to Beersheba. For Gilgal will surely go into exile, and Bethel will be reduced to nothing.

Bethel is never mentioned in the New Testament. Lastly mentioned in Maccabees. After the writings of Eusebius and Jerome, he found no further references to Bethel in the written historical record. There are ruins of a Middle Ages Church between Bethel and the ruins at Beitin.

Isaiah 55:11
So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.


The Scripture passage is always picked unseen. Yesterday we looked at Matthew 9, the woman who reached out with her hand and touched the hem of Jesus' robe to be healed. Jesus did not usually speak with disdain to people. Unless they held themselves out to be leaders and were not true leaders of Israel. We find the man who had over thrown David's grandson in Israel putting up golden calves and leading in the Synagogue. The man is wise enough to make the sign called for with the altar. It's doubtful that the pulling down of the altar was hard for him. With the loss of an arm pending.

And when he obeys the sign and asks for prayer - prayer is given. Prayer is answered. God was more merciful to the usurper of the Davidic line than He was to Zechariah, the priest, for doubting the message of Gabriel. God reacts strongly to those with who are obedient and in faith.

Jesus also shared the non-ancestor king's response to the altar:


Matthew 23

18And you say, ‘If anyone swears by the altar, it is nothing, but if anyone swears by the gift that is on the altar, he is bound by his oath.’ 19 You blind men! For which is greater, the gift or the altar that makes the gift sacred? 20So whoever swears by the altar swears by it and by everything on it. 21 And whoever swears by the temple swears by it and by him who dwells in it. 22 And whoever swears by heaven swears by the throne of God and by him who sits upon it.


















Father God, You give us each day. Thank You. Help us always pray with faith. Going with confidence to You. Let our reactions, words and ways be pleasing to You. As we walk Your path, we ask for Your Blessings to be sincere, to do what is asked of us, knowing in all situations, You are God and will have Your way. Thank God. 

We ask this of You for our Path with You. Joy. Love. Gratitude. Protection. Guidance. Wisdom. Your own Encouragement. Thank You for Your Steadfast Love. We bless the Name of Jesus for Mercy, Forgiveness and Grace. We ask for good health for ourselves and the ones we love for Your Word. Your Path is where we want to be. We place our loved ones in Your Care.

We pray in the Name of Jesus to give You each day and be on Your Path. Thank You for Your Answer. In Jesus. Amen.

Thank You, Jesus Christ Our LORD.

 ♔ Lord Jesus Saves †