1 Kings 13:18-26

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Kings 13:11-22

The man of God had honestly and resolutely refused the king's invitation, though he promised him a reward; yet he was over-persuaded by an old prophet to come back with him, and dine in Beth-el, contrary to the command given him. Here we find how dearly his dinner cost him. Observe with wonder, I. The old prophet's wickedness. I cannot but call him a false prophet and a bad man, it being much easier to believe that from one of such a bad character should be extorted a confirmation of what the... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Kings 13:23-34

Here is, I. The death of the deceived disobedient prophet. The old prophet that had deluded him, as if he would make him some amends for the wrong he had done him or help to prevent the mischief threatened him, furnished him with an ass to ride home on; but by the way a lion set upon him, and killed him, 1 Kgs. 13:23, 24. He did but return back to refresh himself when he was hungry, and behold he must die for it; see 1 Sam. 14:43. But we must consider, 1. That his offence was great, and it... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 13:18

And he said unto him ,.... That is, the old prophet said to the man of God: I am a prophet also as thou art ; meaning, that he was a prophet of the true God, and not of any idol deity; that he not only believed in him, and was a worshipper of him, but had revelations from him, and of the same things this man of God had, and that he believed that what he had prophesied of would certainly come to pass: and an angel spoke unto me by the word of the Lord ; was sent and dispatched by the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 13:19

So he went back with him ,.... In which he sinned; for as he had most certainly the command of God not to eat and drink in that place, he ought to have had the countermand from the Lord, and not trusted to another person. There are some things indeed which may be said in his favour, and be an apology for him, as that this man was an ancient prophet of the Lord, as he appeared to him; and that though he was forbid to eat and drink with idolaters, yet he thought he might with a prophet of the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 13:20

And it came to pass, as they sat at the table ,.... The old prophet, with his sons, and the man of God; the Arabic version adds, "and did eat", there being a pause in the Hebrew text, as if something was wanting, and to be understood and supplied: that the word of the Lord came unto the prophet that brought him back ; that is, to the old prophet, who was the means of bringing back the man of God; the word did not come to him who had transgressed the command of the Lord, but to him who... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 13:21

And he cried unto the man of God that came from Judah ,.... His mind being greatly affected with the word brought to him, partly on his own account, who, by a lie his conscience must accuse him of, had been the means of seducing the man of God, and partly on his account, who was threatened with death for complying with him: saying, thus saith the Lord ; being obliged to deliver, in the name of the Lord, what was said unto him: forasmuch as thou hast disobeyed the mouth of the Lord ;... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 13:22

But camest back, and hast eaten bread and drunk water in the place, of the which the Lord did say to thee, eat no bread, nor drink no water ,.... Which command he observed when first there, though invited by the king; and yet, after he had got out of the place, was prevailed upon to return and transgress the command: thy carcass shall not come unto the sepulchre of thy fathers ; signifying that he should die before he came to the land of Judah, and he should be buried in another place,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 13:23

And it came to pass, after he had eaten bread, and after he had drunk ,.... That is, had finished the meal; for he had begun to eat and drink before the word came, which came while they were eating and drinking; and it seems this did not hinder their proceeding to make an end of their meal, which one would have thought would have spoiled their appetite: that he saddled for him the ass, to wit , for the prophet whom he had brought back ; he ordered his sons to get it ready for him, that... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 13:24

And when he was gone, a lion met him by the way, and slew him ,.... Perhaps not far from Bethel; and this lion might come out of the same wood the she bears did, that devoured the children that mocked the prophet, as Bishop Patrick conjectures, 2 Kings 2:23 . and his carcass was cast in the way ; in the high road, where it seems the lion seized him, and he fell: and the ass stood by it ; disregarded and unhurt by the lion, though the prophet was pulled off of the back of him: ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 13:25

And, behold, men passed by ,.... Travellers on the road; nor did the lion offer to seize on them, nor desert the carcass upon their approach: and saw the carcass cast in the way, and the lion standing by the carcass ; as before described: and they came and told it in the city where the old prophet dwelt ; which was Bethel, by which means he came to have knowledge of it. read more

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