1 Kings 13:13
New International Version
So he said to his sons, “Saddle the donkey for me.” And when they had saddled the donkey for him, he mounted it

New Living Translation
“Quick, saddle the donkey,” the old man said. So they saddled the donkey for him, and he mounted it.

English Standard Version
And he said to his sons, “Saddle the donkey for me.” So they saddled the donkey for him and he mounted it.

Berean Standard Bible
So the prophet said to his sons, “Saddle the donkey for me.” Then they saddled the donkey for him, and he mounted it

King James Bible
And he said unto his sons, Saddle me the ass. So they saddled him the ass: and he rode thereon,

New King James Version
Then he said to his sons, “Saddle the donkey for me.” So they saddled the donkey for him; and he rode on it,

New American Standard Bible
Then he said to his sons, “Saddle the donkey for me.” So they saddled the donkey for him and he rode away on it.

NASB 1995
Then he said to his sons, “Saddle the donkey for me.” So they saddled the donkey for him and he rode away on it.

NASB 1977
Then he said to his sons, “Saddle the donkey for me.” So they saddled the donkey for him and he rode away on it.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then he said to his sons, “Saddle the donkey for me.” So they saddled the donkey for him and he rode away on it.

Amplified Bible
He said to his sons, “Saddle the donkey for me.” So they saddled the donkey for him and he rode away on it,

Christian Standard Bible
Then he said to his sons, “Saddle the donkey for me.” So they saddled the donkey for him, and he got on it.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then he said to his sons, “Saddle the donkey for me.” So they saddled the donkey for him, and he got on it.

American Standard Version
And he said unto his sons, Saddle me the ass. So they saddled him the ass; and he rode thereon.

Contemporary English Version
"Put a saddle on my donkey," he told them. After they did, he got on the donkey

English Revised Version
And he said unto his sons, Saddle me the ass. So they saddled him the ass: and he rode thereon.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The old prophet told his sons, "Saddle the donkey for me." After they had saddled the donkey for him, he got on it.

Good News Translation
and he told them to saddle his donkey for him. They did so, and he rode off

International Standard Version
"Saddle my donkey for me!" he ordered. So they saddled the donkey for him

NET Bible
He then told his sons, "Saddle the donkey for me." When they had saddled the donkey for him, he mounted it

New Heart English Bible
He said to his sons, "Saddle the donkey for me." So they saddled the donkey for him; and he rode on it.

Webster's Bible Translation
And he said to his sons, Saddle me the ass. So they saddled him the ass: and he rode upon it.
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
So the prophet said to his sons, “Saddle the donkey for me.” Then they saddled the donkey for him, and he mounted it

World English Bible
He said to his sons, “Saddle the donkey for me.” So they saddled the donkey for him; and he rode on it.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And he says to his sons, “Saddle the donkey for me,” and they saddle the donkey for him, and he rides on it,

Young's Literal Translation
And he saith unto his sons, 'Saddle for me the ass,' and they saddle for him the ass, and he rideth on it,

Smith's Literal Translation
And he will say to his sons, Saddle for me the ass: and they will saddle for him the ass and he will ride upon it.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And he said to his sons: Saddle me the ass. And when they had saddled him, he got up,

Catholic Public Domain Version
And he said to his sons, “Saddle the donkey for me.” And when they had saddled it, he climbed on,

New American Bible
Then he said to his sons, “Saddle the donkey for me.” When they had saddled it, he mounted

New Revised Standard Version
Then he said to his sons, “Saddle a donkey for me.” So they saddled a donkey for him, and he mounted it.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
- - -

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And he said to his sons: “Mount me on the donkey”, and they mounted him on the donkey and he rode upon him.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And he said unto his sons: 'Saddle me the ass.' So they saddled him the ass; and he rode thereon.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And he said to his sons, Saddle me the ass: and they saddled him the ass, and he mounted it,

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Old Prophet and the Man of God
12“Which way did he go?” their father asked. And his sons showed him the way taken by the man of God, who had come from Judah. 13So the prophet said to his sons, “Saddle the donkey for me.” Then they saddled the donkey for him, and he mounted it 14and went after the man of God. He found him sitting under an oak tree and asked, “Are you the man of God who came from Judah?” “I am,” he replied.…

Cross References
2 Kings 23:17-18
Then the king asked, “What is this monument I see?” And the men of the city replied, “It is the tomb of the man of God who came from Judah and proclaimed these things that you have done to the altar of Bethel.” / “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.

2 Kings 23:15-16
He even pulled down the altar at Bethel, the high place set up by Jeroboam son of Nebat, who had caused Israel to sin. Then he burned the high place, ground it to powder, and burned the Asherah pole. / And as Josiah turned, he saw the tombs there on the hillside, and he sent someone to take the bones out of the tombs, and he burned them on the altar to defile it, according to the word of the LORD proclaimed by the man of God who had foretold these things.

2 Kings 23:19-20
Just as Josiah had done at Bethel, so also in the cities of Samaria he removed all the shrines of the high places set up by the kings of Israel who had provoked the LORD to anger. / On the altars he slaughtered all the priests of the high places, and he burned human bones on them. Then he returned to Jerusalem.

2 Kings 17:21-23
When the LORD had torn Israel away from the house of David, they made Jeroboam son of Nebat king, and Jeroboam led Israel away from following the LORD and caused them to commit a great sin. / The Israelites persisted in all the sins that Jeroboam had committed and did not turn away from them. / Finally, the LORD removed Israel from His presence, as He had declared through all His servants the prophets. So Israel was exiled from their homeland into Assyria, where they are to this day.

2 Kings 17:13-15
Yet through all His prophets and seers, the LORD warned Israel and Judah, saying, “Turn from your wicked ways and keep My commandments and statutes, according to the entire Law that I commanded your fathers and delivered to you through My servants the prophets.” / But they would not listen, and they stiffened their necks like their fathers, who did not believe the LORD their God. / They rejected His statutes and the covenant He had made with their fathers, as well as the decrees He had given them. They pursued worthless idols and became worthless themselves, going after the surrounding nations that the LORD had commanded them not to imitate.

Jeremiah 23:16-17
This is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you. They are filling you with false hopes. They speak visions from their own minds, not from the mouth of the LORD. / They keep saying to those who despise Me, ‘The LORD says that you will have peace,’ and to everyone who walks in the stubbornness of his own heart, ‘No harm will come to you.’

Jeremiah 23:21-22
I did not send these prophets, yet they have run with their message; I did not speak to them, yet they have prophesied. / But if they had stood in My council, they would have proclaimed My words to My people and turned them back from their evil ways and deeds.”

Jeremiah 23:25-27
“I have heard the sayings of the prophets who prophesy lies in My name: ‘I had a dream! I had a dream!’ / How long will this continue in the hearts of these prophets who prophesy falsehood, these prophets of the delusion of their own minds? / They suppose the dreams that they tell one another will make My people forget My name, just as their fathers forgot My name through the worship of Baal.

Matthew 7:15-20
Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. / By their fruit you will recognize them. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? / Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. ...

Matthew 24:11-12
and many false prophets will arise and deceive many. / Because of the multiplication of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold.

Matthew 24:24
For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive even the elect, if that were possible.

Acts 13:6-12
They traveled through the whole island as far as Paphos, where they found a Jewish sorcerer and false prophet named Bar-Jesus, / an attendant of the proconsul, Sergius Paulus. The proconsul, a man of intelligence, summoned Barnabas and Saul because he wanted to hear the word of God. / But Elymas the sorcerer (for that is what his name means) opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul from the faith. ...

Acts 20:29-30
I know that after my departure, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. / Even from your own number, men will rise up and distort the truth to draw away disciples after them.

2 Corinthians 11:13-15
For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. / And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. / It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their actions.

Galatians 1:6-9
I am amazed how quickly you are deserting the One who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— / which is not even a gospel. Evidently some people are troubling you and trying to distort the gospel of Christ. / But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be under a curse! ...


Treasury of Scripture

And he said to his sons, Saddle me the ass. So they saddled him the ass: and he rode thereon,

1 Kings 13:27
And he spake to his sons, saying, Saddle me the ass. And they saddled him.

Numbers 22:21
And Balaam rose up in the morning, and saddled his ass, and went with the princes of Moab.

Judges 5:10
Speak, ye that ride on white asses, ye that sit in judgment, and walk by the way.

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Ass Donkey Mounted Prophet Ready Rideth Rode Saddle Saddled Thereon
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1 Kings 13
1. Jeroboam's hand withers
6. and at the prayer of the prophet is restored
7. The prophet departs from Bethel
11. An old prophet brings him back
20. He is reproved by God
23. slain by a lion
26. buried by the old prophet
31. who confirms the prophecy
33. Jeroboam's obstinacy














So the prophet said to his sons,
This phrase introduces the old prophet from Bethel, who plays a significant role in the narrative of 1 Kings 13. The term "prophet" indicates a person who is considered a spokesperson for God, though in this context, the old prophet's actions are questionable. The mention of "his sons" suggests a family dynamic and possibly a school of prophets, which was common in ancient Israel. This setting in Bethel is significant, as Bethel was a center of idolatrous worship established by Jeroboam, contrasting with the true worship in Jerusalem.

“Saddle the donkey for me.”
The act of saddling a donkey indicates preparation for a journey. In ancient Near Eastern culture, donkeys were common means of transportation, especially for those who could not afford horses. This request shows the prophet's urgency and determination to pursue the man of God from Judah. The donkey, a humble animal, is often used in biblical narratives, symbolizing peace and service, contrasting with the horse, which symbolizes war.

Then they saddled the donkey for him,
The sons' obedience in saddling the donkey reflects the cultural norm of respecting and following the instructions of one's father or elder. This action sets the stage for the ensuing encounter between the old prophet and the man of God. The preparation of the donkey signifies readiness and the beginning of a significant event, as the old prophet seeks to confront the man of God.

and he mounted it.
The act of mounting the donkey signifies the prophet's commitment to his mission. In biblical narratives, mounting an animal often precedes a significant journey or event. This action parallels other biblical figures who undertake journeys with divine or prophetic purposes, such as Balaam in Numbers 22. The journey of the old prophet foreshadows the unfolding of God's plan and the consequences of disobedience, highlighting themes of divine sovereignty and human responsibility.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The Old Prophet
An unnamed prophet living in Bethel who plays a significant role in the account by deceiving the man of God from Judah.

2. The Sons of the Old Prophet
They inform their father about the man of God and later assist him by saddling the donkey.

3. The Man of God from Judah
A prophet sent by God to Bethel to deliver a message against the altar that King Jeroboam had set up.

4. Bethel
A significant location in the Northern Kingdom of Israel, where King Jeroboam established a center of idol worship.

5. The Donkey
A means of transportation that the old prophet uses to pursue the man of God, symbolizing the urgency and determination in his actions.
Teaching Points
Discernment in Spiritual Matters
The account highlights the importance of discernment and obedience to God's word, even when faced with seemingly credible sources of authority.

The Consequences of Disobedience
The man of God's failure to adhere strictly to God's command serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of disobedience.

The Role of Deception in Spiritual Warfare
The old prophet's deception illustrates how spiritual warfare can involve misleading influences, requiring believers to be vigilant.

The Importance of Faithfulness
Faithfulness to God's instructions is paramount, even when it contradicts human logic or societal norms.

The Impact of Our Actions
The account reminds us that our actions, whether obedient or disobedient, have lasting impacts beyond our immediate circumstances.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of 1 Kings 13:13?

2. Why did the old prophet saddle his donkey in 1 Kings 13:13?

3. How does 1 Kings 13:13 illustrate the importance of discerning God's true messengers?

4. Compare 1 Kings 13:13 with Galatians 1:8 on following false teachings.

5. What lessons can we learn about obedience from 1 Kings 13:13?

6. How can we ensure we follow God's will, not man's, in our lives?

7. Why did the old prophet deceive the man of God in 1 Kings 13:13?

8. What does 1 Kings 13:13 teach about obedience to God's commands?

9. How does 1 Kings 13:13 challenge the concept of prophetic authority?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 1 Kings 13?

11. Who was King Jehoahaz in biblical history?

12. In 1 Kings 13:24-28, how can we reconcile the lion's unnatural behavior with known animal instincts?

13. In 1 Kings 13:18-19, why would God allow His prophet to be deceived by another prophet's false claim of angelic guidance?

14. Why is Huldah consulted instead of more prominent prophets in 2 Kings 22:14-20, and what does this imply about the narrative's historical credibility?
What Does 1 Kings 13:13 Mean
So the prophet said to his sons

“So the prophet said to his sons” (1 Kings 13:13)

• The speaker is an old prophet living in Bethel who has just heard of the younger prophet from Judah defying King Jeroboam by the word of the LORD (1 Kings 13:11–12).

• Addressing “his sons” shows the old prophet’s immediate circle is involved; earlier, they had reported the day’s events (v. 11). By calling on them, he accepts responsibility to act.

• Scripture often portrays a father giving instructions to sons as a moment of imparting responsibility (Genesis 22:7–8; Proverbs 4:1).

• This opening phrase signals that what follows is purposeful, not casual; it sets up a deliberate response to the divine sign the sons described (1 Kings 13:5).


Saddle the donkey for me

“‘Saddle the donkey for me.’”

• The urgency of saddling a donkey indicates haste to meet the man of God before he travels farther (compare 2 Kings 4:24, where Elisha’s servant is told to “run” without delay).

• A donkey was the common means of transport for prophets and judges (Judges 5:10; Numbers 22:21). The old prophet’s request reflects normal prophetic travel, underscoring the literal historical setting.

• The phrase shows determination to seek clarification or confrontation after hearing of God’s direct intervention at Bethel (1 Kings 13:1–3).

• His action echoes earlier patterns where a servant of God moves quickly after receiving news—Abraham saddling his donkey in Genesis 22:3, or Balaam in Numbers 22:21—inviting us to consider the motives that drive such speed.


Then they saddled the donkey for him

“Then they saddled the donkey for him”

• The sons’ obedience highlights family cooperation, paralleling the readiness of Elisha’s servant Gehazi (2 Kings 4:29).

• Their compliance lends credibility to the report they gave; they also facilitate their father’s next steps, showing how God often uses ordinary obedience to advance His larger plans (1 Samuel 17:20).

• The detail reminds readers that prophetic narratives are grounded in concrete actions—real animals, real travel—underscoring the trustworthiness of the account.


and he mounted it

“and he mounted it”

• The old prophet personally mounts the donkey, committing himself to the journey. His physical movement signals intention to engage the younger prophet directly.

• This mirrors the resolve of characters like Abigail, who “rode her donkey” to intercept David (1 Samuel 25:20), demonstrating that decisive action can influence unfolding events.

• In context, his mounting initiates a chain that leads to testing the younger prophet’s obedience (1 Kings 13:14–19). The verse therefore marks a hinge between hearing about God’s work and acting in response.

• The scene anticipates Proverbs 14:12—“There is a way that seems right to a man…”—inviting reflection on motives that will soon be revealed as mixed.


summary

1 Kings 13:13 captures a pivotal moment where the old prophet, stirred by eyewitness testimony, moves swiftly to engage God’s messenger. Each phrase highlights deliberate action: issuing a command, providing transportation, ensuring obedience, and personally setting out. The verse emphasizes responsibility within the family, the practicality of prophetic ministry, and the seriousness with which God’s recent intervention is treated. Together these details prepare us for the forthcoming test of discernment and obedience that will unfold in the rest of the chapter.

Verse 13. - And he said unto his sons, Saddle me the ass. [This prompt and seemingly abrupt command - though we cannot be sure that all the conversation is here reported - shows his instant resolve to follow. These are the words of one who had made up his mind, coute que coute, to bring the man of God back.] So they saddled him the ass: and he rode thereon.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
So [the prophet] said
וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

his sons,
בָּנָ֔יו (bā·nāw)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1121: A son

“Saddle
חִבְשׁוּ־ (ḥiḇ·šū-)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 2280: To wrap firmly, to stop, to rule

the donkey
הַחֲמ֑וֹר (ha·ḥă·mō·wr)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2543: A male ass

for me.”
לִ֖י (lî)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's Hebrew

Then they saddled
וַיַּחְבְּשׁוּ־ (way·yaḥ·bə·šū-)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 2280: To wrap firmly, to stop, to rule

the donkey
הַחֲמ֔וֹר (ha·ḥă·mō·wr)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2543: A male ass

for him,
ל֣וֹ (lōw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's Hebrew

and he mounted
וַיִּרְכַּ֖ב (way·yir·kaḇ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7392: To ride, to place upon, to despatch

it
עָלָֽיו׃ (‘ā·lāw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against


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OT History: 1 Kings 13:13 He said to his sons Saddle me (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg)
1 Kings 13:12
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