The Man of God from Judah

In context

As Jeroboam stands at his new altar in Bethel, a man of God from Judah cries out that a son of David’s house, “Josiah by name,” will one day burn men’s bones on it. The altar splits, and the king’s hand dries up until the man prays for him (1 Kings 13:1–6). Centuries later King Josiah did burn bones on that altar, and left this man’s tomb alone (2 Kings 23:15–18).

It is a hard story: the man of God had been told not to eat or drink there, but an old prophet lies to him and brings him home, and as he goes on his way a lion kills him. The old prophet buries him in his own grave, and they mourn over him, “Alas, my brother” (1 Kings 13:9–30).

Jeroboam’s son Abijah falls sick, and his mother goes in disguise to the prophet Ahijah, now blind, but the Lord has told him she is coming. He gives her heavy news, and the boy dies as she reaches home (14:1–17). In Judah, Shishak king of Egypt carries off the temple’s treasures and Solomon’s gold shields, and Rehoboam makes bronze shields in their place (14:25–27). 2 Chronicles says that when the king and his princes humbled themselves, the Lord did not destroy them (2 Chronicles 12:6–7).