Bible Strands
1 Kings 13:11
Now a certain old prophet was living in Bethel, and his sons came and told him all the deeds that the man of God had done that day in Bethel. They also told their father the words that the man had spoken to the king.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The narrator introduces an unnamed old prophet residing in Bethel at the moment his sons return to report the deeds and commands of the visiting man of God.
The words — The term זָקֵן (za.Ken) literally means "old," and יֹשֵׁב (yo.Shev) literally means "dwelling," establishing the prophet’s advanced age and stationary presence in the city.
The thread — The narrative of a prophet’s fate and the handling of his remains later appears in 2 Kings 23:18, while prophetic encounters with divine speech are noted in Numbers 23:4 and 24:2.
Why it lands — The text demands recognition that human messengers operate under divine mandate, and their words carry consequences that outlive their immediate audience.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Now there dwelt an old prophet in Beth–el; and his sons came and told him all the works that the man of God had done that day in Beth–el: the words which he had spoken unto the king, them they told also to their father.
Cross-references
- 2 Kings 23:18 “Let him rest,” said Josiah. “Do not let anyone disturb his bones.” So they left his bones undisturbed, along with those of the prophet who had come from Samaria.
- Numbers 23:4 and God met with him. “I have set up seven altars,” Balaam said, “and on each altar I have offered a bull and a ram.”
- Numbers 24:2 When Balaam looked up and saw Israel encamped tribe by tribe, the Spirit of God came upon him,
- 1 Samuel 10:11 When all those who had formerly known Saul saw him prophesying with the prophets, they asked one another, “What has happened to the son of Kish? Is Saul also among the prophets?”
- 1 Kings 13:20 While they were sitting at the table, the word of the LORD came to the prophet who had brought him back,
- 1 Kings 13:25 And there were men passing by who saw the body lying in the road with the lion standing beside it, and they went and reported this in the city where the old prophet lived.
- Ezekiel 13:2 “Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel who are now prophesying. Tell those who prophesy out of their own imagination: Hear the word of the LORD!
- Ezekiel 13:16 those prophets of Israel who prophesied to Jerusalem and saw a vision of peace for her when there was no peace, declares the Lord GOD.’
- Matthew 7:22 Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’
- 1 Timothy 3:5 For if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how can he care for the church of God?