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.

1 KINGS 13:6KJV
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1 Kings 13:6 (KJV)

What does 1 Kings 13:6 mean?

1 Kings 13:6 describes how King Jeroboam, after his hand was miraculously paralyzed, pleaded with the prophet (the "man of God") to pray to the LORD for healing. The prophet prayed, and God restored the king’s hand to its original condition.

In this scene, King Jeroboam is speaking to the prophet who had just pronounced judgment on the altar and caused the king’s hand to wither. The king, desperate for help, asks the prophet to "intreat now the face of the LORD thy God," meaning to earnestly seek God’s favor on his behalf. The prophet responds by praying, and God heals the king, showing both the seriousness of God’s warning and His willingness to show mercy.

The Hebrew behind 1 Kings 13:6

  • "Intreat" (חָלָה, chalah) means to plead or beg, often with a sense of seeking favor or mercy. Here, it shows the king’s urgent request for help, highlighting his vulnerability.
  • "Face" (פָּנִים, panim) refers to God’s presence or favor. When the king asks the prophet to seek the "face of the LORD," he is asking for God’s personal attention and intervention.
  • "Restored" (שׁוּב, shuv) means to return or bring back. The king’s hand is not just healed but returned to its former state, emphasizing a complete restoration.

Why 1 Kings 13:6 matters

  • This verse shows that even a king is powerless before God’s judgment and must rely on God’s mercy, often through the prayers of others.
  • The king’s request and the prophet’s prayer highlight the prophet’s unique relationship with God and his role as an intermediary.
  • The restoration of the king’s hand demonstrates God’s power to both judge and heal, reinforcing the seriousness of the prophet’s message and God’s authority over Israel’s leaders.