1 kings 13:19 - So he went back with him, ate bread in his house, and drank water.

Generated Verse: 1 kings 13:19

What does "1 kings 13:19" mean?


The verse "So he went back with him, ate bread in his house, and drank water" from 1 Kings 13:19 is a pivotal moment in the story, and its meaning revolves around disobedience and its consequences.

Here's a breakdown:

Context: This verse comes after a prophet from Judah delivers a prophecy against the altar at Bethel, commissioned by God. After fulfilling his task, he is instructed by God not to eat or drink in Bethel and not to return by the same way he came (1 Kings 13:8-9). An old prophet from Bethel hears about this and pursues the prophet from Judah, lying to him about receiving a divine revelation from an angel. The false revelation instructed him to eat and drink with the prophet from Bethel.

The Act of Eating and Drinking: The act of eating and drinking, specifically, is a symbolic act of breaking the commandment. The prophet from Judah was told by God not to eat or drink. By doing so, he broke God's instructions.

Significance of Disobedience:

Violation of Divine Command: The prophet's primary sin is disobeying a direct command from God. He prioritized the word of the old prophet (which was a lie) over God's clear instruction.
Lack of Discernment: The prophet from Judah should have been skeptical of the old prophet's claim. He had already received a clear command from God and should have relied on that.
Compromise and Temptation: It highlights the danger of compromise and the vulnerability to temptation, even for those who are initially faithful.

Consequences: The prophet from Judah's disobedience leads to severe consequences. After eating and drinking, the word of the Lord comes to the old prophet who previously lied, and he declares a prophecy of judgement against the prophet from Judah. Later in the story, a lion kills the prophet from Judah, fulfilling this judgement.

In short, the verse signifies a turning point where the prophet from Judah chooses to disobey God's explicit command, leading to his downfall. It serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of obeying God's word and the dangers of being deceived by false prophecies or personal desires.

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