Killed by a Lion: When We Follow Men Instead of God (1 Kings 13)

 Killed by a Lion: When We Follow Men Instead of God (1 Kings 13)

One of the most chilling stories in the Old Testament comes from 1 Kings 13. It’s not often preached on, and for good reason—it confronts our spiritual laziness, our trust in tradition, and our tendency to follow people instead of God. The story centers around a prophet, a deceptive old man, a deadly lion, and a divine warning that still applies today.

The Command from God Was Clear

God sent a man of God from Judah to Bethel to deliver a message of judgment against King Jeroboam’s false altar. He came with divine authority and courage, prophesied with accuracy, and performed a sign: the altar split, and the king’s hand withered. Jeroboam was terrified and begged for healing. The prophet prayed, and God restored the king’s hand.

The prophet was victorious. He passed the test of the king’s favor. He rejected a royal invitation to eat and drink—because God had given him a very specific command:

“You shall not eat bread or drink water or return by the way that you came.” (1 Kings 13:9)

But the test wasn’t over.

The Second Test: A Prophet Who Lied

An old prophet in Bethel heard what had happened. He found the man of God resting under a tree and invited him to his house. At first, the man of God stood firm and repeated what God had said. But then the old prophet said:

“I also am a prophet like you, and an angel spoke to me by the word of the Lord, saying, ‘Bring him back with you to your house, that he may eat bread and drink water.’” But he lied to him. (v.18)

That lie changed everything. The man of God got up and went with him. He ate and drank, breaking the Lord’s clear command. He had an opportunity to say no. He had time to walk away. But he chose to trust a man’s word over God’s.

Judgment Came Swiftly

While they were sitting at the table, the true word of the Lord came through the deceiver:

“Because you have disobeyed the word of the Lord and have not kept the command that the Lord your God commanded you... your body shall not come to the tomb of your fathers.” (vv.21–22)

On the way home, a lion killed him. The lion stood next to the body and the donkey. It didn’t eat the prophet or the animal. It just stood there—a sign, a divine statement: God takes His word seriously.

What This Story Still Teaches Us Today

This isn’t just an ancient warning. This story is repeated in churches every Sunday. It happens when believers ignore the clear commands of Scripture because a pastor, priest, or "scholarly tradition" tells them something different. The man of God was judged not because he wasn’t sincere, but because he ignored what God said in favor of what a religious man claimed God said. Sound familiar? 

People follow pastors who contradict Jesus and Paul—because they “sound convincing” or “have credentials.” Believers place creeds, confessions, and denominational statements over the clear teachings of Scripture. Protestants criticize Catholics for following the pope—but many follow their own “paper popes”: councils, theologians, church fathers, or their favorite reformers. People ignore God’s voice because their tradition told them something else. The man of God in 1 Kings 13 wasn’t destroyed by a lion because he failed to prophesy boldly. He died because he obeyed a second-hand word instead of the first-hand command of the Lord.

He Could Have Repented

This part is often missed: he had time to repent. When the old prophet offered him a seat at the table, the man of God could have paused. He could have walked away. He could have said:

“God already told me not to eat or drink here. I don't need a new word. I already have His word.”

But he didn’t. He sat. He ate. He died.

Conclusion 

This story should terrify and awaken us. It reminds us that sincerity doesn't cancel disobedience. Being deceived is not an excuse when we have access to the truth. We are in the same danger today if we:

Treat the Bible like a suggestion while quoting Calvin, Augustine, or a church council like Scripture.

Let an “angelic vision,” mystical experience, or new movement override what’s plainly written.

Value community traditions or religious rituals more than clear New Covenant teaching.

Just like the prophet, we’ve been given a clear word from God. We’ve been told to test every spirit, to obey Christ alone, to be loyal to His gospel and His Spirit—not to church systems or theological celebrities. The moment we trade that voice for another—no matter how spiritual or persuasive—it’s like sitting at the wrong table, eating the wrong bread, and walking straight into the lion’s mouth.

God’s Word is not a suggestion. It’s life. Disobedience—even in the name of unity, tradition, or sincerity—leads to judgment. And if we aren’t careful, we’ll become like the prophet who had a powerful calling… and ended up as a warning.