King James Version

What Does 1 Kings 13:6 Mean?

1 Kings 13:6 in the King James Version says “And the king answered and said unto the man of God, Intreat now the face of the LORD thy God, and pray for me, that my h... — study this verse from 1 Kings chapter 13 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And the king answered and said unto the man of God, Intreat now the face of the LORD thy God, and pray for me, that my hand may be restored me again. And the man of God besought the LORD, and the king's hand was restored him again, and became as it was before. the LORD, and: Heb. the face of the LORD, etc

1 Kings 13:6 · King James Version


Context

4

And it came to pass, when king Jeroboam heard the saying of the man of God, which had cried against the altar in Bethel, that he put forth his hand from the altar, saying, Lay hold on him. And his hand, which he put forth against him, dried up, so that he could not pull it in again to him.

5

The altar also was rent, and the ashes poured out from the altar, according to the sign which the man of God had given by the word of the LORD.

6

And the king answered and said unto the man of God, Intreat now the face of the LORD thy God, and pray for me, that my hand may be restored me again. And the man of God besought the LORD, and the king's hand was restored him again, and became as it was before. the LORD, and: Heb. the face of the LORD, etc

7

And the king said unto the man of God, Come home with me, and refresh thyself, and I will give thee a reward.

8

And the man of God said unto the king, If thou wilt give me half thine house, I will not go in with thee, neither will I eat bread nor drink water in this place:


Commentaries2 scholars

KJV Study CommentaryPublic Domain
And the king answered and said unto the man of God, Intreat now the face of the LORD thy God, and pray for me, that my hand may be restored me again. And the man of God besought the LORD, and the king's hand was restored him again, and became as it was before.

This verse contributes to the broader narrative of the man of god from judah, within the book's focus on spiritual decline of both kingdoms under various rulers.

The Hebrew text reveals nuances important for understanding this passage's contribution to 1 Kings' theological message about kingship, covenant, and faithfulness to Yahweh. This verse demonstrates the consequences when God's people—especially their leaders—either follow or forsake the covenant established at Sinai.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

First Kings was written during or after the Babylonian exile (6th century BCE), reflecting on the monarchy period (10th-9th centuries BCE) to explain why the kingdoms fell. This period (c. 930-850 BCE) saw rapid succession and instability, especially in the northern kingdom.

Ancient Near Eastern kingship ideology viewed kings as divine representatives responsible for maintaining cosmic order through right worship. Archaeological discoveries from sites like Megiddo, Hazor, and Samaria confirm the historical reliability of 1 Kings' descriptions of building projects and administrative structures.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this passage illustrate the importance of complete obedience to God's word without compromise?
  2. What does Elijah's ministry reveal about God's character and His commitment to His covenant people?
  3. How does this verse point toward or prepare for the coming of Christ and His eternal kingdom?

Compare 2 commentaries from different scholars and time periods for a richer understanding.


Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 29 words
וַיַּ֨עַן1 of 29

answered

H6030

properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,

הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙2 of 29

And the king

H4428

a king

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר׀3 of 29

and said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֶל4 of 29
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אִישׁ5 of 29

And the man

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

הָֽאֱלֹהִים֙6 of 29

of God

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

וַיְחַ֤ל7 of 29

Intreat

H2470

properly, to be rubbed or worn; hence (figuratively) to stroke (in flattering), entreat

נָ֞א8 of 29
H4994

'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction

אֶת9 of 29
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

פְּנֵ֣י10 of 29

now the face

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

יְהוָ֔ה11 of 29

of the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

הָֽאֱלֹהִים֙12 of 29

of God

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

וְהִתְפַּלֵּ֣ל13 of 29

and pray

H6419

to judge (officially or mentally); by extension, to intercede, pray

בַּֽעֲדִ֔י14 of 29
H1157

in up to or over against; generally at, beside, among, behind, for, etc

וַתָּ֤שָׁב15 of 29

may be restored me again

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

יַד16 of 29

for me that my hand

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

אֵלָ֑י17 of 29
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

וַיְחַ֤ל18 of 29

Intreat

H2470

properly, to be rubbed or worn; hence (figuratively) to stroke (in flattering), entreat

אִישׁ19 of 29

And the man

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

הָֽאֱלֹהִים֙20 of 29

of God

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

אֶת21 of 29
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

פְּנֵ֣י22 of 29

now the face

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

יְהוָ֔ה23 of 29

of the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

וַתָּ֤שָׁב24 of 29

may be restored me again

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

יַד25 of 29

for me that my hand

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙26 of 29

And the king

H4428

a king

אֵלָ֔יו27 of 29
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

וַתְּהִ֖י28 of 29
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

כְּבָרִֽאשֹׁנָֽה׃29 of 29

and became as it was before

H7223

first, in place, time or rank (as adjective or noun)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Kings. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Kings 13:6 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Kings 13:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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