1 Kings 13:2

And 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.'"

Study Bible

And he cried out against the altar by the word of the LORD
The prophet's cry against the altar signifies a direct confrontation with the idolatrous practices established by King Jeroboam in Bethel. This act of crying out is a prophetic declaration, emphasizing the authority and urgency of the message. The phrase "by the word of the LORD" underscores that the prophet's message is not of his own making but is divinely inspired, reflecting the biblical theme of God using prophets to communicate His will. This aligns with other instances where prophets are sent to call out sin and idolatry, such as Elijah's confrontation with the prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18).

“O altar, O altar, this is what the LORD says:
The repetition of "O altar" emphasizes the seriousness and certainty of the prophecy. In biblical literature, repetition often serves to highlight the importance of a message. The phrase "this is what the LORD says" is a common prophetic formula, indicating that the message is a direct revelation from God. This formula is used throughout the Old Testament to authenticate the divine origin of a prophecy, as seen in the messages of prophets like Isaiah and Jeremiah.

‘A son named Josiah will be born to the house of David,
This prophecy is remarkable for its specificity, naming Josiah, who would not be born for another 300 years. Josiah's birth and actions are recorded in 2 Kings 22-23, where he is noted for his reforms and efforts to restore true worship in Judah. The mention of the "house of David" connects this prophecy to the Davidic covenant, highlighting God's ongoing commitment to David's lineage despite the nation's unfaithfulness. This also foreshadows the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises through Jesus Christ, a descendant of David.

and upon you he will sacrifice the priests of the high places who burn incense upon you,
This part of the prophecy foretells the desecration of the altar by Josiah, who would execute the priests of the high places as part of his religious reforms. The "high places" were sites of unauthorized worship, often associated with idolatry, which were condemned by God. Josiah's actions are detailed in 2 Kings 23:20, where he defiles these sites to purify the worship of Yahweh. This act of judgment against the priests signifies the seriousness of idolatry and the need for true worship.

and human bones will be burned upon you.’”
Burning human bones on the altar would defile it, rendering it unfit for worship and symbolizing the complete rejection of the idolatrous practices associated with it. This act of defilement is a powerful statement against the syncretism and apostasy that had taken hold in Israel. The fulfillment of this prophecy is recorded in 2 Kings 23:16, where Josiah burns the bones of the priests on the altar at Bethel. This action serves as a type of Christ's ultimate victory over sin and false worship, pointing to the need for purity and holiness in the worship of God.

Persons / Places / Events

1. The Man of God
An unnamed prophet from Judah who delivers God's message to King Jeroboam and the altar at Bethel.

2. King Jeroboam
The first king of the northern kingdom of Israel, who led the people into idolatry by setting up golden calves at Bethel and Dan.

3. The Altar at Bethel
A significant site of idolatrous worship established by Jeroboam, which becomes the focus of God's judgment.

4. Josiah
A future king of Judah, prophesied to bring reform and destroy the idolatrous practices initiated by Jeroboam.

5. The House of David
The royal lineage from which Josiah will come, emphasizing God's covenant faithfulness to David's line.

Teaching Points

Prophetic Fulfillment
God's Word is reliable and will come to pass, as seen in the prophecy about Josiah. Believers can trust in God's promises and His sovereign plan.

Judgment on Idolatry
The prophecy against the altar at Bethel underscores God's intolerance of idolatry. Christians are called to examine their lives for any form of idolatry and remove it.

God's Sovereignty
The specific prophecy about Josiah, given centuries before his birth, demonstrates God's control over history. Believers can find comfort in knowing that God is in control of their lives.

Covenant Faithfulness
The mention of the house of David highlights God's faithfulness to His covenant promises. Christians are reminded of God's faithfulness to His promises in Christ.

Call to Reform
Josiah's future actions serve as a model for spiritual reform and renewal. Believers are encouraged to pursue personal and communal holiness.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does the prophecy about Josiah in 1 Kings 13:2 demonstrate God's sovereignty and foreknowledge?

2. In what ways can we identify and remove "altars" of idolatry in our own lives today?

3. How does the fulfillment of this prophecy in 2 Kings 23:15-20 encourage us to trust in God's promises?

4. What lessons can we learn from Josiah's reforms about the importance of obedience and faithfulness to God?

5. How does the concept of God's covenant faithfulness to the house of David relate to His promises to believers in the New Testament?

Connections to Other Scriptures

2 Kings 23:15-20
This passage describes the fulfillment of the prophecy when King Josiah destroys the altar at Bethel and defiles it by burning human bones on it.

1 Kings 12:28-30
Provides context for Jeroboam's establishment of the golden calves and the altars at Bethel and Dan, which led Israel into sin.

2 Chronicles 34:1-7
Details Josiah's reforms and his efforts to purify the land from idolatry, fulfilling the prophecy given in 1 Kings 13:2.

Deuteronomy 12:2-3
God's command to destroy places of idolatrous worship, which Josiah later fulfills.

1 Samuel 2:30
Highlights the principle that God honors those who honor Him, relevant to Josiah's faithful actions.