Topical Bible: Lion: Disobedient Prophet Killed By

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In the biblical narrative found in 1 Kings 13, we encounter a profound and sobering account involving a lion and a disobedient prophet. This account serves as a poignant reminder of the seriousness of obedience to God's commands and the consequences of deviating from His instructions.

The account begins with a "man of God" from Judah who is sent by the Lord to Bethel to deliver a message of judgment against King Jeroboam and the altar he had erected for idolatrous worship. The prophet faithfully delivers the message, and as a sign, the altar is miraculously split apart, and its ashes are poured out (1 Kings 13:1-5).

After delivering the prophecy, the man of God is instructed by the Lord not to eat bread or drink water in Bethel, nor return by the way he came (1 Kings 13:9). However, as he departs, an old prophet from Bethel deceives him. The old prophet claims that an angel instructed him to bring the man of God back to his house to eat and drink. Trusting the old prophet's word over the direct command of God, the man of God returns with him and partakes of the meal (1 Kings 13:15-19).

As a result of his disobedience, the word of the Lord comes to the old prophet, declaring that the man of God will not be buried in the tomb of his fathers. After leaving Bethel, the man of God encounters a lion on the road, which kills him. Remarkably, the lion does not devour the body nor harm the donkey on which the prophet was riding, but stands by the corpse, serving as a testament to the divine judgment that had been pronounced (1 Kings 13:24-25).

This incident underscores the gravity of adhering to God's commands. The lion, often a symbol of strength and judgment in Scripture, becomes an instrument of divine retribution. The narrative illustrates that even a prophet, a chosen messenger of God, is not exempt from the consequences of disobedience. The lion's presence and behavior emphasize the supernatural nature of the event, as it acts contrary to its natural instincts, highlighting the sovereignty and justice of God.

The account of the disobedient prophet and the lion serves as a cautionary tale, reminding believers of the importance of discerning truth and remaining steadfast in obedience to God's word, regardless of external influences or deceptive voices.

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1 Kings 13:24-28
And when he was gone, a lion met him by the way, and slew him: and his carcass was cast in the way, and the ass stood by it, the lion also stood by the carcass.
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Library

Meeting the Lions
... If the prophet in Samaria had gone in the way ... Sometimes we may be disobedient, sometimes
we may be careless ... The lion must be killed before the bees can build ...
//christianbookshelf.org/naylor/heart talks/talk six meeting the lions.htm

And Yet, by Reason of that Affection of the Human Heart...
... of Kings, God by one prophet threatening another prophet who had ... the Lord, Because
thou hast been disobedient to the ... over his very body the same lion which had ...
/.../augustine/on care to be had for the dead /9 and yet by reason.htm

The Shepherd of Our Souls.
... he rescued it from the mouth of the lion, and the ... the heroic David, all in one"Priest,
Prophet, and King. ... Paul, he "was not disobedient to the heavenly vision ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol viii/sermon xvi the shepherd of.htm

On the Roman Pontiff, and the Principal Titles which Are
... those who do not believe and are disobedient; it dashes ... unto a leopard, a bear and
a lion," and by ... unworthy of the name of apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/disputation 21 on the roman.htm

Acts xiii. 16, 17
... for them being obedient, and great the evils being disobedient. ... 1 Timothy 6:10);
and the Prophet, "If riches ... such tameness"but, should the lion suddenly take ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xxix acts xiii 16.htm

Treatise on Christ and Antichrist.
... "Dan," he says, "is a lion's whelp;" and ... of the fathers to the children, and the
disobedient to the ... their course and their testimony," what saith the prophet? ...
/.../treatise on christ and antichrist.htm

On Feast Days and Fast Days.
... My inheritance became to me as a lion in a ... have I stretched out mine hands to a
disobedient and gainsaying ... Him did he speak in Deuteronomy: "A Prophet will the ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec iii on feast days and.htm

Scriptural Predictions of an Apostasy.
... "Disobedient to parents." Is there not many a young lady ... man's voice forbad the madness
of the prophet." As Balaam ... proceed out of the mouth of the lion in his ...
/.../orr/the gospel day /chapter ii scriptural predictions of.htm

The Mystery
... Greeks, the bear of the Persians, the lion of the ... said to be given to the false prophet,
not only ... dignity, and might punish those who were disobedient, and who ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mede/a key to the apocalypse/the mystery 2.htm

Faustus States his Objections to the Morality of the Law and the ...
... Uriah, and caused Uriah himself to be killed in the ... without number; [788] or how
the first prophet Hosea got ... Judas as a disciple who proved disobedient to His ...
/.../faustus states his objections to.htm