In the ancient land of Judah, a man of God was called by Jehovah to journey to Beth-el, where King Jeroboam was performing religious rites and burning incense at the altar. Inspired by the divine word of God, the man of God boldly delivered a startling prophecy. He foretold the birth of Josiah, a descendant of David, who would desecrate the altar by burning the bodies of pagan priests upon it. As a sign, he decreed that the altar would be rent and the ashes scattered.

Hearing this, King Jeroboam angrily reached out to seize the man but instead, his hand dried up, unable to retract back. As foretold, the altar cracked and the ashes spilled out. In fear, the king pleaded with the man of God to intercede with the Lord on his behalf. The man complied, and Jeroboam’s hand was miraculously healed. The king then invited the man of God to dine with him and receive a reward, which he graciously declined. Jehovah had explicitly commanded him not to eat or drink or return by the same way.

Meanwhile, an old prophet residing in Beth-el learned of the man of God’s actions and rode out to meet him. He invited the man to his home to share a meal. Adhering to God’s commands, the man refused, but, deceived by the old prophet’s lies claiming divine instruction, he accepted. As they dined, God’s word came upon the old prophet, rebuking the man of God for his disobedience. He foretold his death, saying he would not be buried with his ancestors but would die and be left on the road.

Indeed, upon leaving the old prophet’s house, the man of God was killed by a lion on his way back to Judah. Curiously, the lion did not devour his body, merely guarding it. Riders passing by reported the strange sight back in the city. Hearing this, the old prophet recognized it as God’s judgment for the man’s disobedience. He travelled to the site, retrieved his body, mourned for him and buried him in his own tomb.

After this incident, the old prophet instructed his sons to bury him beside the man of God upon his death. Despite these startling events, Jeroboam did not turn away from his sinful ways. Instead, he continued to appoint priests to lead false worship at the high places, inviting wrath and destruction upon his house from God.