The old prophet set out prepared to persuade the man of God to return with him for a meal.
In this portion of Scripture, we learn about the old prophet in Bethel who heard of the miraculous events involving a “man of God” from Judah who prophesied against King Jeroboam’s altar. Eager to see this traveling prophet for himself, the old prophet prepared to chase him down. We read, “So he said to his sons, ‘Saddle the donkey for me.’ So they saddled the donkey for him and he rode away on it.” (v.13) This moment marks the start of the old prophet’s pursuit, revealing his intent to bring the man of God back to his own home.
The verse unfolds during the reign of Jeroboam I, who ruled the northern kingdom of Israel from about 931 to 910 BC. Jeroboam had established Bethel as one of his worship centers, which lay roughly ten miles north of Jerusalem, causing many in Israel to commit idolatry by sacrificing at unauthorized altars (1 Kings 12:29-30). In 1 Kings 13, God sends a prophet from Judah to rebuke these pagan practices, demonstrating the seriousness of Israel’s covenant obligations. When the old prophet hears of this confrontation, he quickly mounts a donkey—the common mode of transport for prophets and judges in ancient Israel—determined to track the stranger down.
There is also a subtle picture in the donkey itself: Scripture often depicts donkeys as vehicles used by those on missions of spiritual import, including Jesus entering Jerusalem on a donkey (Matthew 21:5). This detail underscores the significance of the prophet’s journey. After saddling the donkey in obedience to their father, the old prophet’s sons prepare him for the pivotal encounter that follows.
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1 Kings 13:13 meaning
In this portion of Scripture, we learn about the old prophet in Bethel who heard of the miraculous events involving a “man of God” from Judah who prophesied against King Jeroboam’s altar. Eager to see this traveling prophet for himself, the old prophet prepared to chase him down. We read, “So he said to his sons, ‘Saddle the donkey for me.’ So they saddled the donkey for him and he rode away on it.” (v.13) This moment marks the start of the old prophet’s pursuit, revealing his intent to bring the man of God back to his own home.
The verse unfolds during the reign of Jeroboam I, who ruled the northern kingdom of Israel from about 931 to 910 BC. Jeroboam had established Bethel as one of his worship centers, which lay roughly ten miles north of Jerusalem, causing many in Israel to commit idolatry by sacrificing at unauthorized altars (1 Kings 12:29-30). In 1 Kings 13, God sends a prophet from Judah to rebuke these pagan practices, demonstrating the seriousness of Israel’s covenant obligations. When the old prophet hears of this confrontation, he quickly mounts a donkey—the common mode of transport for prophets and judges in ancient Israel—determined to track the stranger down.
There is also a subtle picture in the donkey itself: Scripture often depicts donkeys as vehicles used by those on missions of spiritual import, including Jesus entering Jerusalem on a donkey (Matthew 21:5). This detail underscores the significance of the prophet’s journey. After saddling the donkey in obedience to their father, the old prophet’s sons prepare him for the pivotal encounter that follows.