MPV Commentary

1. A prophet from Judah appeared on the scene by divine authority. It is unclear who this prophet was, as he is not identified in the text.

Jeroboam stood at the altar to burn incense during one of the annual festivals. As the officiating priest, the king sought to add interest to his new ritual. The altar and its accompanying decorations would have been a grand sight, but the prophet foretold its destruction (1Ki 13:3).

2-9. The prophet cried out against the altar, which represented the entire system of worship established in Israel.

Behold, a child shall be born named Josiah—this is one of the most remarkable prophecies recorded in Scripture. Its clarity, circumstantial detail, and exact prediction of an event that took place 360 years later make it stand out from the obscure oracles of the heathen. The prophecy was publicly uttered, making it well known to the people. A visible sign accompanied the prophecy: a miraculous fissure appeared on the altar. Enraged by the prophet's bold speech, Jeroboam ordered his attendants to seize him. At that moment, the king's arm became stiff and motionless, and the altar split apart, causing the fire and ashes to fall to the floor. Overwhelmed by the consequences of his impiety, Jeroboam begged for the prophet's prayer. The request was granted, and the king's hand was restored to its normal state.

Jeroboam invited the prophet to dine with him, not out of respect or gratitude but to win him over through courtesy and hospitality. However, the prophet informed him that he had received a divine injunction prohibiting all social interaction in Beth-el and forbidding his return by the same route. The prohibition on eating and drinking in Beth-el was due to the people's apostasy from true religion, while the restriction on returning the same way was to prevent recognition by those who had seen him.

11. There lived an old prophet in Beth-el—a man whose character is questionable.

18. An angel spoke to me by the word of the Lord—the phrase "by the word of the Lord" was used to conceal a double meaning, implying that the speaker's authority was inferior. The "angel" referred to his own sons, who were worshippers and perhaps priests at Beth-el. This man was motivated by self-interest and sought to curry favor with the king by deceiving him about the prophet from Judah.

21. The word of the Lord cried out to the man of God from Judah—the phrase "cried" emphasizes the divine origin of the message.