In ancient Israel and Judah, the prophets of God repeated God’s words to the people, guiding them in the way they should go. While a lesser-known prophet, Iddo’s presence and influence are seen through some of the most pivotal moments in redemption history.
Which Books of the Bible Mention the Prophet Iddo?
The prophet Iddo is particularly mentioned in the Old Testament’s historical and prophetic books. His name could have meant “lovely” or “God’s witness.” Up to seven people possibly had that name in the Old Testament. We will focus on the Iddo mentioned in association with the first few kings of Judah.
The first mention of the prophet Iddo is in 1 Kings 4:14, where he is referred to as a prophet during the reign of King Solomon. Iddo’s prophetic ministry likely occurred during Solomon’s reign, a time of great prosperity and wisdom in Israel’s history.
The prophet Iddo is mentioned several times in the book of 2 Chronicles, where his importance is further emphasized. In 2 Chronicles 9:29, it is stated that Iddo wrote a history or chronicle of King Solomon’s reign. This work is commonly known as the “Annals of Iddo the Seer” and is considered a valuable historical account of the period.
1 and 2 Kings and 1 and 2 Chronicles are compilations of other historical accounts—accounts referenced many times within Kings and Chronicles. The compilers took information from books written about these individual kings, and many of the books referenced were books written by God’s prophets, people like Iddo. This is clear evidence those writers viewed the writings of the prophets as authoritative historical accounts.
In 2 Chronicles 12:15, the prophet Iddo is mentioned in connection with the reign of King Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, after the split between Israel and Judah. Iddo’s presence during this time indicates his prophetic activity spanned multiple generations and that he was a respected and influential figure in the royal court.
2 Chronicles 13:22 mentions Iddo’s involvement during the reign of Abijah, another king of Judah. Again, his continued presence and influence in the lives of successive kings highlight his significant role as a prophet during that era.
Other prophets named Iddo are mentioned in later kings, such as Jehoshaphat, Uzziah, and Hezekiah. Still, if he were the same prophet at the time of Solomon and Rehoboam, he would have been well over a hundred years old, so it’s hard to say whether he was the same Iddo.
What Kings Ruled When Iddo Was Prophet?
The prophet Iddo lived during a significant period in the history of the Kingdom of Judah. He witnessed and prophesied during the reigns of several kings, each contributing to the kingdom’s spiritual and political landscape. While the exact duration of Iddo’s prophetic ministry is not specified in the Bible, the historical books provide insights into the reigns of the kings he served under.
As mentioned earlier, Iddo’s prophetic ministry is believed to have begun during the reign of King Solomon, the son of King David. Solomon was renowned for his wisdom; his reign is considered a time of prominence for the Kingdom of Israel (1 Kings 4:29-34). Iddo’s presence during Solomon’s rule suggests that he witnessed the golden era of Israel’s united kingdom.
After Solomon’s death, his son Rehoboam ascended to the throne. Iddo continued to serve as a prophet during Rehoboam’s reign, which marked the division of the kingdom into the Northern Kingdom of Israel and the Southern Kingdom of Judah due to political unrest (1 Kings 12:1-24).
Iddo was also present during the reign of Abijah, the son of Rehoboam and the second king of Judah. Abijah’s reign was characterized by conflict with the Northern Kingdom, and Iddo’s prophetic ministry likely influenced the course of events during this turbulent time (2 Chronicles 13:1-22).
Iddo served as a prophet during the reign of King Asa, the third king of Judah. Asa was known for his religious reforms and efforts to root out idolatry from the land (1 Kings 15:9-15). Iddo’s prophetic counsel might have shaped Asa’s dedication to God and his commitment to righteousness.
Since Iddo wrote about the kings through Abijah (who had a brief reign), he likely lived into Asa’s long period as king.
While the Bible does not provide an exhaustive list of all the kings during Iddo’s prophetic ministry, these accounts reveal that he witnessed and prophesied during a crucial period in Judah’s history. Throughout these reigns, Iddo remained a faithful servant of God, offering guidance, counsel, and prophecies to the kings and people of Judah.
Is Iddo the Unnamed Prophet in 1 Kings 13?
Scholars debate whether Iddo is the unnamed prophet in 1 Kings 13. The passage narrates a significant event involving two prophets—a younger one from Judah and an older one from Bethel. The story presents a cautionary tale obeying God’s commands and the consequences of deviating from them.
In 1 Kings 13, a young prophet from Judah was sent by God to deliver a message to King Jeroboam of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. The prophet boldly delivered God’s word, foretelling the downfall of Jeroboam’s idolatrous altar and the dynasty of the house of Jeroboam (1 Kings 13:1-3). As a sign of the prophecy’s fulfillment, the young prophet demonstrated a miraculous sign: the altar split apart, and the ashes spilled out.
After delivering the message, God commanded the young prophet not to eat or drink anything in the region and to return home by a different route. However, an older prophet who lived in Bethel heard about the young prophet’s arrival and invited him to his house. The older prophet claimed an angel had told him to bring the young prophet back to eat and drink. Despite the direct command from God, the young prophet was deceived by the older prophet and agreed to go to his house (1 Kings 13:11-19).
While the prophets ate, God’s judgment fell upon the young prophet through the older prophet’s words. The older prophet pronounced that because the young prophet had disobeyed God’s command, he would not be buried in his ancestral tomb. After the meal, the young prophet set out on his journey but was attacked and killed by a lion on his way home (1 Kings 13:20-25).
The Bible doesn’t specify whether Iddo is the older prophet in this story. The name “Iddo” is not mentioned in this narrative, nor are there clear identifiers to connect the older prophet in Bethel with the prophet Iddo mentioned elsewhere in the Bible.
However, some scholars have suggested the older prophet could be Iddo, given the significant prophetic ministry Iddo had in the region of Bethel. Additionally, Iddo is known to have written historical accounts, as mentioned in 2 Chronicles 9:29. The story in 1 Kings 13 could have been passed down through his writings or oral tradition.
However, other scholars note that the older prophet in 1 Kings 13 remains anonymous, and there is no conclusive evidence to link him to Iddo.
Are There Other People Named Iddo in the Bible?
The original prophet Iddo is the most prominent figure with this name, but others also bear the name.
2 Chronicles mentions Iddo, the father of Abijah (also known as Abijam). Abijah was one of the kings of the Southern Kingdom of Judah and the son of King Rehoboam (2 Chronicles 13:1). In 2 Chronicles 13:2, it states, “He reigned for three years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Michaiah the daughter of Uriel of Gibeah.”
Note that this man Iddo and the prophet Iddo lived during different periods. Abijah’s father was likely a contemporary of King Rehoboam and part of the royal lineage of Judah.
The Book of Ezra mentions another individual named Iddo—a descendant of Bani, one of the clans of Israel that returned from the Babylonian exile (Ezra 2:36). In Ezra 2:36-43, a list of the returning exiles is provided and Iddo is mentioned as one of the individuals from the clan of Bani who resettled in Jerusalem and the surrounding areas.
Additionally, Iddo’s name appears in the Book of Nehemiah 7:39-42, where a similar list of returning exiles is given. This Iddo is listed among those who returned to Judah after the exile.
This may have been the same Iddo who is listed as the grandfather of the prophet Zechariah in the first verse of that book: “In the eighth month of the second year of Darius, the word of the Lord came to Zechariah the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet, saying …” This Iddo, grandfather of Zechariah, is also named a prophet. Scholars believe Iddo brought his grandson Zechariah from Babylon when Jewish exiles returned to Jerusalem under Zerubbabel and Joshua, the high priest.
Each Iddo lived during different historical periods and played different roles in Israel’s history.
What Can We Learn from the Prophet Iddo?
Looking at the original prophet Iddo, he had a significant role as a prophet and historian. Even though he had no official title, his influence was great due to the prophetic call.
For us today, even though Graham has passed away, it is still the call of the people of God to call our nation, people of all political parties, to be guided by the truth of God. God’s truth transcends nations, presidents, and political parties and therefore can unify us in ways a political position or party can’t.
Let us speak the truth in love and bring us all up to the love and mercy of God.
Photo Credit: © Getty Images/ Motortion
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