1 Kings 13 - Introduction

CHAPTER ELEVEN

JEROBOAM AND THE PROPHETS

1 Kings 13:1 to 1 Kings 14:20

Because of his religious deviations, Jeroboam lost the support of the influential and conservative prophetic order. This section consists in the main of two narratives. The first relates how Jeroboam was publicly denounced by an unnamed prophet from Judah on the very day he dedicated his new temple at Bethel (1 Kings 13:1-34). The second narrative tells of an oracle of doom which Ahijah delivered against the house of Jeroboam (1 Kings 14:1-18). To this material the author adds a brief concluding note regarding the reign of Jeroboam (1 Kings 14:19-20).

First King of Israel
JEROBOAM BEN NEBAT 931-910 B.C.
(whose people is many)

1 Kings 11:26-40; 1 Kings 12:1 to 1 Kings 14:20, 2 Chronicles 10; 2 Chronicles 13:1-20

Synchronism Jeroboam 1 = Rehoboam 1
Contemporary Prophets
Ahijah Man of God from Judah, Old prophet of Bethel

The memory of the just is blessed,

but the name of the wicked shall rot. Proverbs 10:7

REVIEW OF CHAPTER ELEVEN

I. FACTS TO MASTER

A. Identify how each of the following fit into the events in this section:

1. Bethel

5. Josiah

2. Samaria

6. Abijah

3. Shiloh

7. Ahijah

4. Tirzah

B. Each of the following should bring to mind significant information contained in this section:

1. sign

5. oak

9. ten loaves

2. altar

6. angel

10. blind eyes

3. hand

7. lion

11. sick child

4. donkey

8. sepulcher

12. disguised woman

C. Summarize each of the following:

1. The prophecy against the Bethel altar
2. The prophecy regarding the son of Jeroboam and his dynasty

II. QUESTIONS TO PONDER

1.

What admirable qualities can one see in the life of the unnamed man of God from Judah?

2.

What lesson was God teaching Jeroboam when He caused his arm to wither?

3.

Why did the king invite the man of God to go home with him?

4.

Why do you think the old Bethel prophet wanted to meet the man of God? Why the lie?

5.

Why was the man of God slain while the old prophet escaped punishment? Did the old prophet really escape punishment?

6.

What purpose did the death of the man of God serve?

7.

Is it possible to believe a lie today and eternally be punished? See 2 Thessalonians 2:11.

8.

What basic lessons of eternal value can be gleaned from 1 Kings 13?

9.

Why did Jeroboam have his wife disguise herself before going to consult with Ahijah?

10.

Why did God take the life of Jeroboam's son? See especially 1 Kings 14:13.

11.

Jeroboam's religion was part truth and part error. Since it was man-made and man-centered, it was in essence idolatry. In what way was Jeroboam's brand of idolatry worse than that practiced by pagans?