1 Kings 13:25

Verse

And there were men passing by who saw the body lying in the road with the lion standing beside it, and they went and reported this in the city where the old prophet lived.

American Standard Version (1901)

And, behold, men passed by, and saw the body cast in the way, and the lion standing by the body; and they came and told it in the city where the old prophet dwelt.

Bible in Basic English

And some men, going by, saw the body stretched out in the road with the lion by its side; and they came and gave news of it in the town where the old prophet was living.

Free Bible Version

Some passers-by saw the body lying in the road with the lion standing beside it, so they went and let people know about it in the town where the old prophet lived.

Geneva Bible 1599

And beholde, men that passed by, sawe the carkeis cast in the way, and the lion standing by the corps: and they came and tolde it in ye towne where the olde Prophet dwelt.

King James (Authorized) Version

And, behold, men passed by, and saw the carcase cast in the way, and the lion standing by the carcase: and they came and told it in the city where the old prophet dwelt.

Translation for Translators

Some men passed by and were surprised to see the corpse on the road and the lion standing next to the corpse. So they went into Bethel and reported what they had seen.

Unlocked Literal Bible

When men passed by and saw the body left on the road, and the lion standing by the body, they came and told it in the city where the old prophet lived.

Noah Webster Bible

And behold, men passed by, and saw the carcass cast in the way, and the lion standing by the carcass: and they came and told it in the city where the old prophet dwelt.

World English Bible

Behold, men passed by and saw the body thrown on the path, and the lion standing by the body; and they came and told it in the city where the old prophet lived.

Young's Literal Translation

And lo, men are passing by, and see the carcase cast in the way, and the lion standing near the carcase, and they come and speak [of it] in the city in which the old prophet is dwelling.

Context

The Old Prophet and the Man of God

²⁴As he went on his way, a lion met him on the road and killed him, and his body was left lying in the road, with the donkey and the lion standing beside it.²⁵And there were men passing by who saw the body lying in the road with the lion standing beside it, and they went and reported this in the city where the old prophet lived.

Summary

This verse recounts the tragic end of a disobedient prophet who was deceived by an older prophet and went against God's specific instructions. The disobedient prophet was killed by a lion on his way home, serving as a severe consequence for his actions. It serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of obedience to God's word and the consequences of straying from His commands, even when misled by others claiming to speak on His behalf.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

And he spoke to his sons, saying, saddle me the ass,.... For it seems he had more than one, for he had sent away the man of God with one before: and they saddled him; the ass he commonly rode on. And he spoke to his sons, saying, saddle me the ass,.... For it seems he had more than one, for he had sent away the man of God with one before: and they saddled him; the ass he commonly rode on. 1 Kings 13:28 kg1 13:28 kg1 13:28 kg1 13:28And he went and found his carcass cast in the way, and the ass and the lion standing by the carcass,.... As before described: the lion had not eaten the carcass, nor torn the ass; both which were very marvellous; as also that the ass should stand so quietly, and without fear, by the carcass along with the lion and not run away; but here both stayed till the prophet came to take care of the carcass, which shows the singular providence of God in this affair; and that though he chastised the man of God with a temporal judgment for his offence, yet he was dear to him, and even his carcass precious in his sight.