1 Kings 13:1-10
A Word against the Altar
1Suddenly, as Jeroboam was standing beside the altar to burn incense, there came a man of God from Judah to Bethel by the word of the LORD.
2And he cried out against the altar by the word of the LORD, “O altar, O altar, this is what the LORD says: ‘A son named Josiah will be born to the house of David, and upon you he will sacrifice the priests of the high places who burn incense upon you, and human bones will be burned upon you.’”
3That day the man of God gave a sign, saying, “The LORD has spoken this sign: ‘Surely the altar will be split apart, and the ashes upon it will be poured out.’”
4Now when King Jeroboam, who was at the altar in Bethel, heard the word that the man of God had cried out against it, he stretched out his hand and said, “Seize him!” But the hand he stretched out toward him withered, so that he could not pull it back.
5And the altar was split apart, and the ashes poured out, according to the sign that the man of God had given by the word of the LORD.
6Then the king responded to the man of God, “Intercede with the LORD your God and pray for me that my hand may be restored.” So the man of God interceded with the LORD, and the king’s hand was restored to him as it was before.
7Then the king said to the man of God, “Come home with me and refresh yourself, and I will give you a reward.”
8But the man of God replied, “If you were to give me half your possessions, I still would not go with you, nor would I eat bread or drink water in this place.
9For this is what I was commanded by the word of the LORD: ‘You must not eat bread or drink water or return by the way you came.’”
10So the man of God went another way and did not return by the way he had come to Bethel.
Berean Standard Bible
A man of God comes from Judah to Bethel while Jeroboam is standing beside the altar to burn incense. The prophet cries out against the altar by the word of the LORD. He names Josiah, a future king from David's line, who will burn the unauthorized priests on that altar.
The prophet gives a sign for the word: the altar will split apart and its ashes will be poured out. Jeroboam reaches out his hand and commands that the prophet be seized, but the hand he stretches out withers. The altar splits, and the ashes pour out just as the man of God said.
Jeroboam asks the prophet to intercede so his hand can be restored. The prophet prays, and the hand is restored. The king has seen God's word confirmed and received mercy, but the account does not say that he abandons the false worship he created.
The man of God refuses the king's invitation to eat and drink or return by the same road. He follows the LORD's command and goes home another way. The passage sets the clarity of God's word against the political pressure surrounding the altar.
How We Know
This passage belongs to the historical and prophetic record of Israel's divided kingdom. Its named rulers, places, and prophetic actions are presented as part of that covenant history; Chronicles does not repeat every episode from Kings.
Questions
1 Where does the man of God speak?
AnswerHe speaks at Bethel while Jeroboam stands beside the unauthorized altar to burn incense before the people.
2 What future king does the prophet name?
AnswerHe names Josiah, a future king from David's line who will judge the false altar and its priests.
3 What happens when Jeroboam stretches out his hand?
AnswerHis hand withers, and the altar splits apart with its ashes poured out as the prophet announced.
4 How does the man of God leave?
AnswerHe refuses the king's meal and returns by a different road because the LORD commanded him not to stay.
What This Means for Us
Religious authority and political power can stand together while still being opposed by God's word. A public position or impressive altar cannot make false worship true.
The prophet also receives mercy when he prays for the king. Speaking against wrongdoing does not require wishing harm on the person who has done it; truth and intercession can belong in the same life.
Prayer
God of truth, give us courage to speak when power supports what is false. Keep our correction free from hatred, and teach us to pray for repentance even when we must resist wrongdoing. Amen.