1 kings 13:4 - When the king heard the saying of the man of God, which he cried against the altar in Bethel, Jeroboam put out his hand from the altar, saying, “Seize him!” His hand, which he put out against him, dried up, so that he could not draw it back again to himself.
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What does "1 kings 13:4" mean?
This verse from 1 Kings 13:4 describes a pivotal moment in the story of Jeroboam, the first king of the Northern Kingdom of Israel after the split from Judah. Let's break it down:
"When the king heard the saying of the man of God, which he cried against the altar in Bethel..." This refers to a prophet sent by God who prophesied against the altar that Jeroboam had built in Bethel. Jeroboam established this alternative place of worship (instead of the Temple in Jerusalem) to prevent the Northern Kingdom people from returning to Judah for religious festivals, which he feared would lead them back to the Southern Kingdom. The prophet's message was a condemnation of Jeroboam's idolatry and a prediction of the altar's destruction.
"...Jeroboam put out his hand from the altar, saying, “Seize him!”" Angered by the prophet's words, Jeroboam, who was officiating at the altar (likely offering sacrifices), angrily ordered his soldiers to arrest the prophet.
"His hand, which he put out against him, dried up, so that he could not draw it back again to himself." As Jeroboam raised his hand to point at the prophet and command his arrest, his hand suddenly withered and became paralyzed. He could no longer retract it.
Meaning and Significance:
Divine Judgment: This event is a clear demonstration of God's power and judgment against Jeroboam's rebellion and idolatry. The withered hand is a direct and immediate consequence of defying God's will.
Validation of the Prophet's Message: The miraculous withering of Jeroboam's hand serves as a sign, validating the prophet's message and proving that he speaks on behalf of God. It's a clear signal that the prophesied judgment against the altar and Jeroboam's actions will come to pass.
Jeroboam's Arrogance and Defiance: Despite witnessing this miraculous event, Jeroboam initially remains defiant and unwilling to repent. His initial reaction is to try to silence the prophet, highlighting his arrogance and stubbornness. The fact that it happened WHILE he was officiating at the alter just shows how blatant the sin was.
Temporary Repentance: The chapter continues to show Jeroboam asking the prophet to intercede for him so that his hand can be healed. God, through the prophet, has mercy on him, and his hand is restored. However, as the narrative unfolds, it becomes clear that Jeroboam's repentance is short-lived and superficial. He continues to lead Israel into idolatry, resulting in the fulfillment of the initial prophecy and the eventual destruction of his dynasty.
In short, this verse highlights the consequences of defying God, the validation of divine prophecy, and the ultimately tragic story of a king who chose rebellion over obedience.
1 kings 13:4 - When the king heard the saying of the man of God, which he cried against the altar in Bethel, Jeroboam put out his hand from the altar, saying, “Seize him!” His hand, which he put out against him, dried up, so that he could not draw it back again to himself.
What does "1 kings 13:4" mean?
This verse from 1 Kings 13:4 describes a pivotal moment in the story of Jeroboam, the first king of the Northern Kingdom of Israel after the split from Judah. Let's break it down:
"When the king heard the saying of the man of God, which he cried against the altar in Bethel..." This refers to a prophet sent by God who prophesied against the altar that Jeroboam had built in Bethel. Jeroboam established this alternative place of worship (instead of the Temple in Jerusalem) to prevent the Northern Kingdom people from returning to Judah for religious festivals, which he feared would lead them back to the Southern Kingdom. The prophet's message was a condemnation of Jeroboam's idolatry and a prediction of the altar's destruction.
"...Jeroboam put out his hand from the altar, saying, “Seize him!”" Angered by the prophet's words, Jeroboam, who was officiating at the altar (likely offering sacrifices), angrily ordered his soldiers to arrest the prophet.
"His hand, which he put out against him, dried up, so that he could not draw it back again to himself." As Jeroboam raised his hand to point at the prophet and command his arrest, his hand suddenly withered and became paralyzed. He could no longer retract it.
Meaning and Significance:
Divine Judgment: This event is a clear demonstration of God's power and judgment against Jeroboam's rebellion and idolatry. The withered hand is a direct and immediate consequence of defying God's will.
Validation of the Prophet's Message: The miraculous withering of Jeroboam's hand serves as a sign, validating the prophet's message and proving that he speaks on behalf of God. It's a clear signal that the prophesied judgment against the altar and Jeroboam's actions will come to pass.
Jeroboam's Arrogance and Defiance: Despite witnessing this miraculous event, Jeroboam initially remains defiant and unwilling to repent. His initial reaction is to try to silence the prophet, highlighting his arrogance and stubbornness. The fact that it happened WHILE he was officiating at the alter just shows how blatant the sin was.
Temporary Repentance: The chapter continues to show Jeroboam asking the prophet to intercede for him so that his hand can be healed. God, through the prophet, has mercy on him, and his hand is restored. However, as the narrative unfolds, it becomes clear that Jeroboam's repentance is short-lived and superficial. He continues to lead Israel into idolatry, resulting in the fulfillment of the initial prophecy and the eventual destruction of his dynasty.
In short, this verse highlights the consequences of defying God, the validation of divine prophecy, and the ultimately tragic story of a king who chose rebellion over obedience.