This verse in 1 Kings 13:11 sets the scene for a complex and tragic turn of events. Let's break down what it means:
"Now an old prophet lived in Bethel...": This introduces a character of significance: an elderly prophet residing in Bethel. His age suggests experience and perhaps respect within the community.
"...and one of his sons came and told him all the works that the man of God had done that day in Bethel.": This refers back to the previous sections of 1 Kings 13. The "man of God" is a prophet from Judah (sent by God) who had powerfully prophesied against the altar that King Jeroboam had built in Bethel (which was a site of idol worship). His actions ("works") would have included:
Pronouncing God's judgment on the altar.
Performing the miracle of the altar splitting apart.
Healing Jeroboam's withered hand.
Refusing Jeroboam's invitation to eat with him.
"They also told their father the words which he had spoken to the king.": The son also relayed the message the man of God gave to King Jeroboam, which contained prophecies and declarations from God.
In essence, the verse means:
The son of an old prophet who lived in Bethel went back and told his father the stories of the new prophet of God's recent actions. This included accounts of the prophesies and miracles he had performed, as well as what the new prophet had spoken directly to King Jeroboam.
Significance & Context:
This verse is crucial because it sets the stage for the old prophet's deception and eventual downfall of the man of God. The old prophet hears of the man of God's obedience to God's direct command not to eat or drink in Bethel. The old prophet sees an opportunity to test the man of God, and this leads to the man of God disobeying God's instructions and ultimately being killed by a lion as punishment. Therefore, this initial report to the old prophet is the catalyst for the tragedy that unfolds. It raises questions about the old prophet's motives (jealousy, curiosity, a test of faith?) and highlights the importance of direct obedience to God.
This verse in 1 Kings 13:11 sets the scene for a complex and tragic turn of events. Let's break down what it means:
"Now an old prophet lived in Bethel...": This introduces a character of significance: an elderly prophet residing in Bethel. His age suggests experience and perhaps respect within the community.
"...and one of his sons came and told him all the works that the man of God had done that day in Bethel.": This refers back to the previous sections of 1 Kings 13. The "man of God" is a prophet from Judah (sent by God) who had powerfully prophesied against the altar that King Jeroboam had built in Bethel (which was a site of idol worship). His actions ("works") would have included:
Pronouncing God's judgment on the altar.
Performing the miracle of the altar splitting apart.
Healing Jeroboam's withered hand.
Refusing Jeroboam's invitation to eat with him.
"They also told their father the words which he had spoken to the king.": The son also relayed the message the man of God gave to King Jeroboam, which contained prophecies and declarations from God.
In essence, the verse means:
The son of an old prophet who lived in Bethel went back and told his father the stories of the new prophet of God's recent actions. This included accounts of the prophesies and miracles he had performed, as well as what the new prophet had spoken directly to King Jeroboam.
Significance & Context:
This verse is crucial because it sets the stage for the old prophet's deception and eventual downfall of the man of God. The old prophet hears of the man of God's obedience to God's direct command not to eat or drink in Bethel. The old prophet sees an opportunity to test the man of God, and this leads to the man of God disobeying God's instructions and ultimately being killed by a lion as punishment. Therefore, this initial report to the old prophet is the catalyst for the tragedy that unfolds. It raises questions about the old prophet's motives (jealousy, curiosity, a test of faith?) and highlights the importance of direct obedience to God.