1 Kings 13:1-10 - A Man Of God Proclaims Judgment Against The False Altar
1 A man of God from Judah went to Bethel. He arrived there while Jeroboam was at the altar ready to offer a sacrifice. 2 He actually spoke against the altar: O altar, altar, this is what Jehovah says: 'A child, whose name will be Josiah, will be born to the family of David. He will slaughter the priests serving at the pagan altars who offer sacrifices on you. He will burn human bones on you.' 3 The prophet went on to say: This altar will fall apart. The ashes on it will be scattered. Then you will know that Jehovah has spoken through me.
4 King Jeroboam heard this. He pointed his outstretched hand at him and ordered: Seize that man! At once the king's arm became paralyzed so that he could not pull it back. 5 The altar suddenly fell apart and the ashes spilled to the ground. This is what the prophet predicted in the name of Jehovah.
6 King Jeroboam said to the prophet: Please pray to Jehovah your God for me, and ask him to heal my arm! The prophet prayed to Jehovah and the king's arm was healed.
7 Then the king said to the prophet: Come home with me and have something to eat. I will reward you for what you have done.
8 The prophet answered: Even if you gave me half of your wealth, I would not go with you or eat or drink anything with you. 9 I was ordered by the word of Jehovah, he said: You are not to take food or a drink of water, and you are not to go back the way you came. 10 So he went another way, and not by the way he came to Bethel.