1 Kings 13:13
New International Version
So he said to his sons, “Saddle the donkey for me.” And when they had saddled the donkey for him, he mounted it

New Living Translation
“Quick, saddle the donkey,” the old man said. So they saddled the donkey for him, and he mounted it.

English Standard Version
And he said to his sons, “Saddle the donkey for me.” So they saddled the donkey for him and he mounted it.

Berean Standard Bible
So the prophet said to his sons, “Saddle the donkey for me.” Then they saddled the donkey for him, and he mounted it

King James Bible
And he said unto his sons, Saddle me the ass. So they saddled him the ass: and he rode thereon,

New King James Version
Then he said to his sons, “Saddle the donkey for me.” So they saddled the donkey for him; and he rode on it,

New American Standard Bible
Then he said to his sons, “Saddle the donkey for me.” So they saddled the donkey for him and he rode away on it.

NASB 1995
Then he said to his sons, “Saddle the donkey for me.” So they saddled the donkey for him and he rode away on it.

NASB 1977
Then he said to his sons, “Saddle the donkey for me.” So they saddled the donkey for him and he rode away on it.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then he said to his sons, “Saddle the donkey for me.” So they saddled the donkey for him and he rode away on it.

Amplified Bible
He said to his sons, “Saddle the donkey for me.” So they saddled the donkey for him and he rode away on it,

Christian Standard Bible
Then he said to his sons, “Saddle the donkey for me.” So they saddled the donkey for him, and he got on it.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then he said to his sons, “Saddle the donkey for me.” So they saddled the donkey for him, and he got on it.

American Standard Version
And he said unto his sons, Saddle me the ass. So they saddled him the ass; and he rode thereon.

Contemporary English Version
"Put a saddle on my donkey," he told them. After they did, he got on the donkey

English Revised Version
And he said unto his sons, Saddle me the ass. So they saddled him the ass: and he rode thereon.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The old prophet told his sons, "Saddle the donkey for me." After they had saddled the donkey for him, he got on it.

Good News Translation
and he told them to saddle his donkey for him. They did so, and he rode off

International Standard Version
"Saddle my donkey for me!" he ordered. So they saddled the donkey for him

Majority Standard Bible
So the prophet said to his sons, ?Saddle the donkey for me.? Then they saddled the donkey for him, and he mounted it

NET Bible
He then told his sons, "Saddle the donkey for me." When they had saddled the donkey for him, he mounted it

New Heart English Bible
He said to his sons, "Saddle the donkey for me." So they saddled the donkey for him; and he rode on it.

Webster's Bible Translation
And he said to his sons, Saddle me the ass. So they saddled him the ass: and he rode upon it.

World English Bible
He said to his sons, “Saddle the donkey for me.” So they saddled the donkey for him; and he rode on it.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And he says to his sons, “Saddle the donkey for me,” and they saddle the donkey for him, and he rides on it,

Young's Literal Translation
And he saith unto his sons, 'Saddle for me the ass,' and they saddle for him the ass, and he rideth on it,

Smith's Literal Translation
And he will say to his sons, Saddle for me the ass: and they will saddle for him the ass and he will ride upon it.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And he said to his sons: Saddle me the ass. And when they had saddled him, he got up,

Catholic Public Domain Version
And he said to his sons, “Saddle the donkey for me.” And when they had saddled it, he climbed on,

New American Bible
Then he said to his sons, “Saddle the donkey for me.” When they had saddled it, he mounted

New Revised Standard Version
Then he said to his sons, “Saddle a donkey for me.” So they saddled a donkey for him, and he mounted it.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
- - -

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And he said to his sons: “Mount me on the donkey”, and they mounted him on the donkey and he rode upon him.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And he said unto his sons: 'Saddle me the ass.' So they saddled him the ass; and he rode thereon.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And he said to his sons, Saddle me the ass: and they saddled him the ass, and he mounted it,

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Old Prophet and the Man of God
12“Which way did he go?” their father asked. And his sons showed him the way taken by the man of God, who had come from Judah. 13So the prophet said to his sons, “Saddle the donkey for me.” Then they saddled the donkey for him, and he mounted it 14and went 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.…

Cross References
2 Kings 23:17-18
Then the king asked, “What is this monument I see?” And the men of the city replied, “It is the tomb of the man of God who came from Judah and proclaimed these things that you have done to the altar of Bethel.” / “Let him rest,” said Josiah. “Do not let anyone disturb his bones.” So they left his bones undisturbed, along with those of the prophet who had come from Samaria.

2 Kings 23:15-16
He even pulled down the altar at Bethel, the high place set up by Jeroboam son of Nebat, who had caused Israel to sin. Then he burned the high place, ground it to powder, and burned the Asherah pole. / And as Josiah turned, he saw the tombs there on the hillside, and he sent someone to take the bones out of the tombs, and he burned them on the altar to defile it, according to the word of the LORD proclaimed by the man of God who had foretold these things.

2 Kings 23:19-20
Just as Josiah had done at Bethel, so also in the cities of Samaria he removed all the shrines of the high places set up by the kings of Israel who had provoked the LORD to anger. / On the altars he slaughtered all the priests of the high places, and he burned human bones on them. Then he returned to Jerusalem.

2 Kings 17:21-23
When the LORD had torn Israel away from the house of David, they made Jeroboam son of Nebat king, and Jeroboam led Israel away from following the LORD and caused them to commit a great sin. / The Israelites persisted in all the sins that Jeroboam had committed and did not turn away from them. / Finally, the LORD removed Israel from His presence, as He had declared through all His servants the prophets. So Israel was exiled from their homeland into Assyria, where they are to this day.

2 Kings 17:13-15
Yet through all His prophets and seers, the LORD warned Israel and Judah, saying, “Turn from your wicked ways and keep My commandments and statutes, according to the entire Law that I commanded your fathers and delivered to you through My servants the prophets.” / But they would not listen, and they stiffened their necks like their fathers, who did not believe the LORD their God. / They rejected His statutes and the covenant He had made with their fathers, as well as the decrees He had given them. They pursued worthless idols and became worthless themselves, going after the surrounding nations that the LORD had commanded them not to imitate.

Jeremiah 23:16-17
This is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you. They are filling you with false hopes. They speak visions from their own minds, not from the mouth of the LORD. / They keep saying to those who despise Me, ‘The LORD says that you will have peace,’ and to everyone who walks in the stubbornness of his own heart, ‘No harm will come to you.’

Jeremiah 23:21-22
I did not send these prophets, yet they have run with their message; I did not speak to them, yet they have prophesied. / But if they had stood in My council, they would have proclaimed My words to My people and turned them back from their evil ways and deeds.”

Jeremiah 23:25-27
“I have heard the sayings of the prophets who prophesy lies in My name: ‘I had a dream! I had a dream!’ / How long will this continue in the hearts of these prophets who prophesy falsehood, these prophets of the delusion of their own minds? / They suppose the dreams that they tell one another will make My people forget My name, just as their fathers forgot My name through the worship of Baal.

Matthew 7:15-20
Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. / By their fruit you will recognize them. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? / Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. ...

Matthew 24:11-12
and many false prophets will arise and deceive many. / Because of the multiplication of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold.

Matthew 24:24
For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive even the elect, if that were possible.

Acts 13:6-12
They traveled through the whole island as far as Paphos, where they found a Jewish sorcerer and false prophet named Bar-Jesus, / an attendant of the proconsul, Sergius Paulus. The proconsul, a man of intelligence, summoned Barnabas and Saul because he wanted to hear the word of God. / But Elymas the sorcerer (for that is what his name means) opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul from the faith. ...

Acts 20:29-30
I know that after my departure, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. / Even from your own number, men will rise up and distort the truth to draw away disciples after them.

2 Corinthians 11:13-15
For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. / And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. / It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their actions.

Galatians 1:6-9
I am amazed how quickly you are deserting the One who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— / which is not even a gospel. Evidently some people are troubling you and trying to distort the gospel of Christ. / But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be under a curse! ...


Treasury of Scripture

And he said to his sons, Saddle me the ass. So they saddled him the ass: and he rode thereon,

1 Kings 13:27
And he spake to his sons, saying, Saddle me the ass. And they saddled him.

Numbers 22:21
And Balaam rose up in the morning, and saddled his ass, and went with the princes of Moab.

Judges 5:10
Speak, ye that ride on white asses, ye that sit in judgment, and walk by the way.

Jump to Previous
Ass Donkey Mounted Prophet Ready Rideth Rode Saddle Saddled Thereon
Jump to Next
Ass Donkey Mounted Prophet Ready Rideth Rode Saddle Saddled Thereon
1 Kings 13
1. Jeroboam's hand withers
6. and at the prayer of the prophet is restored
7. The prophet departs from Bethel
11. An old prophet brings him back
20. He is reproved by God
23. slain by a lion
26. buried by the old prophet
31. who confirms the prophecy
33. Jeroboam's obstinacy














So he said to his sons
This phrase introduces the actions of the old prophet from Bethel. The Hebrew word for "sons" here is "בָּנִים" (banim), which can refer to biological sons or, more broadly, to disciples or followers. In the context of ancient Israel, family structures were central to societal organization, and the authority of a father over his sons was significant. This highlights the old prophet's influence and authority within his household, setting the stage for the unfolding narrative.

Saddle the donkey for me
The act of saddling a donkey is a practical detail that underscores the urgency and determination of the old prophet. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, donkeys were common means of transportation, valued for their endurance and ability to navigate difficult terrain. The Hebrew word for "saddle" is "חָבַשׁ" (chavash), which can also mean to bind or to prepare. This preparation indicates the prophet's readiness to pursue the man of God, suggesting a sense of purpose and immediacy in his actions.

Then they saddled the donkey for him
This phrase reflects the obedience and respect the sons have for their father. The repetition of the action emphasizes the swift response to the prophet's command. In the broader biblical narrative, donkeys often symbolize humility and service, contrasting with the more regal image of horses. This choice of transportation may also reflect the prophet's status and the cultural norms of the time.

and he mounted it
The act of mounting the donkey signifies the prophet's commitment to his mission. The Hebrew verb "רָכַב" (rakav) means to ride or to mount, and it often implies a journey or quest. This action propels the narrative forward, as the prophet sets out to intercept the man of God. In a spiritual sense, this can be seen as a metaphor for taking initiative and pursuing one's calling, despite potential obstacles or uncertainties.

Verse 13. - And he said unto his sons, Saddle me the ass. [This prompt and seemingly abrupt command - though we cannot be sure that all the conversation is here reported - shows his instant resolve to follow. These are the words of one who had made up his mind, coute que coute, to bring the man of God back.] So they saddled him the ass: and he rode thereon.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
So [the prophet] said
וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

his sons,
בָּנָ֔יו (bā·nāw)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1121: A son

“Saddle
חִבְשׁוּ־ (ḥiḇ·šū-)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 2280: To wrap firmly, to stop, to rule

the donkey
הַחֲמ֑וֹר (ha·ḥă·mō·wr)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2543: A male ass

for me.”
לִ֖י (lî)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's Hebrew

Then they saddled
וַיַּחְבְּשׁוּ־ (way·yaḥ·bə·šū-)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 2280: To wrap firmly, to stop, to rule

the donkey
הַחֲמ֔וֹר (ha·ḥă·mō·wr)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2543: A male ass

for him,
ל֣וֹ (lōw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's Hebrew

and he mounted
וַיִּרְכַּ֖ב (way·yir·kaḇ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7392: To ride, to place upon, to despatch

it
עָלָֽיו׃ (‘ā·lāw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against


Links
1 Kings 13:13 NIV
1 Kings 13:13 NLT
1 Kings 13:13 ESV
1 Kings 13:13 NASB
1 Kings 13:13 KJV

1 Kings 13:13 BibleApps.com
1 Kings 13:13 Biblia Paralela
1 Kings 13:13 Chinese Bible
1 Kings 13:13 French Bible
1 Kings 13:13 Catholic Bible

OT History: 1 Kings 13:13 He said to his sons Saddle me (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg)
1 Kings 13:12
Top of Page
Top of Page