1 Kings 13:7

Then the king said to the man of God, "Come home with me and refresh yourself, and I will give you a reward."

Study Bible

Then the king said to the man of God
This phrase refers to King Jeroboam, the first king of the northern kingdom of Israel after the division of the united monarchy. Jeroboam's reign is marked by idolatry, as he set up golden calves in Bethel and Dan to prevent his people from worshiping in Jerusalem. The "man of God" is a prophet sent by God to deliver a message of judgment against Jeroboam's altar at Bethel. This encounter highlights the tension between the king's authority and the divine authority represented by the prophet. The term "man of God" is often used in the Old Testament to denote a prophet or someone with a special calling from God, emphasizing the divine mission and authority of the individual.

Come home with me and refresh yourself
Jeroboam's invitation to the prophet to come home and refresh himself can be seen as an attempt to show hospitality, a valued cultural practice in the ancient Near East. However, it may also be interpreted as an attempt to bribe or coerce the prophet into aligning with the king's interests. In the broader biblical context, prophets often faced temptations to compromise their messages for personal gain or favor with powerful figures. This invitation tests the prophet's obedience to God's command, as he was instructed not to eat bread or drink water in that place (1 Kings 13:9).

and I will give you a reward
Offering a reward to the prophet can be seen as an attempt by Jeroboam to manipulate or control the prophetic message. In biblical times, prophets were sometimes offered gifts or rewards for their services, but accepting such rewards could compromise their integrity and the purity of their message. This offer of a reward contrasts with the biblical principle that true prophets speak God's word without seeking personal gain. The prophet's refusal to accept the reward underscores his commitment to God's instructions and serves as a reminder of the dangers of materialism and the importance of faithfulness to God's commands.

Persons / Places / Events

1. The King
This refers to King Jeroboam of Israel, who had established idol worship in Bethel and Dan to prevent his people from going to Jerusalem.

2. The Man of God
An unnamed prophet sent by God from Judah to Bethel to deliver a message against the altar Jeroboam had set up.

3. Bethel
A significant location in the Northern Kingdom of Israel where Jeroboam set up one of the golden calves for worship, contrary to God's commandments.

4. The Altar
The altar at Bethel, which was the focal point of Jeroboam's idolatrous practices and the subject of the man of God's prophecy.

5. The Event
The man of God prophesied against the altar, and as a sign, the altar was split apart. King Jeroboam's hand, which he stretched out against the prophet, was miraculously restored after he pleaded with the man of God.

Teaching Points

Obedience to God's Command
The man of God initially obeyed God's command to prophesy against the altar, demonstrating the importance of obedience to God's word.

Discernment and Integrity
The king's offer of hospitality and reward tests the prophet's integrity. Believers must discern and remain steadfast in their commitment to God's instructions, even when faced with enticing offers.

The Danger of Compromise
The man of God's later decision to disobey God's explicit command (not to eat or drink in Bethel) serves as a warning against compromising one's convictions.

God's Sovereignty and Judgment
The miraculous events surrounding the altar and the king's hand underscore God's power and authority over human affairs.

The Consequences of Disobedience
The man of God's eventual fate (not detailed in this verse but later in the chapter) highlights the serious consequences of disobedience to God's commands.

Bible Study Questions

1. What can we learn from the man of God's initial obedience to God's command, and how can we apply this to our own lives?

2. How does the king's offer to the man of God reflect the temptations we face today, and what strategies can we use to resist them?

3. In what ways does the account of the man of God illustrate the importance of discernment in our spiritual journey?

4. How does the account of the man of God and King Jeroboam demonstrate God's sovereignty and the certainty of His judgment?

5. Reflect on a time when you faced a choice between obedience to God and a tempting offer. What did you learn from that experience, and how can it inform your future decisions?

Connections to Other Scriptures

1 Kings 12
Provides context for Jeroboam's establishment of idol worship in Bethel and Dan, setting the stage for the events of 1 Kings 13.

2 Kings 23
Describes King Josiah's reforms, which included the fulfillment of the prophecy given by the man of God against the altar at Bethel.

Deuteronomy 13
Warns against false prophets and emphasizes the importance of adhering strictly to God's commands, relevant to the man of God's later disobedience.

Matthew 4
Jesus' temptation in the wilderness, where He resists the devil's offers, contrasts with the man of God's later failure to adhere to God's command.