13:11 The 'old prophet' appears as a sad and inadequate old man perhaps seeking some revival of his former status by persuading the 'man of God' to share his meal. His subsequent actions show proper remorse and perhaps it can be said that God used his attempts to relive former glories to teach the lesson of obedience, to how severely God looked on the events associated with Bethel, and perhaps remind us older ones that we do get to an end of our former duties and have to ‘let go’ rather than pretend we can still do what once we did.

13:20 It is a little surprising to think of a prophet whose word is not of God later being used by God. The Heb. Phrase for ‘the prophet that brought him back’ occurs also in v23 where clearly it refers to 'he whom God has brought back' (that is to Bethel). Therefore the 'old prophet' of v11 (and who died in v18) is a false prophet and here the word of YHVH comes now to 'he who has been brought back' (the prophet of v1) and it is YHVH who speaks to him in v21. So, v26 'which he spake unto him'. The evil consisted in eating in idolatrous Bethel (v2) and in accepting as revelation that contrary to his own without asking God for confirmation. There are lessons here for us. Paraphrase, (As they sat at meat, the word of YHVH came to the prophet who had been brought back [to Bethel] and said to him, because you have disobeyed...')

V.18 The young prophet was duped by the lie from the old prophet, which cost him his life. 

There have always been those who have spoken falsely in the name of Yahweh - and not all have claimed to be prophets.  Take, for example, Rabshakeh's claim as he threatened Jerusalem (2Kin 18:25). 

Those speaking falsely in the name of Yahweh have continued through New Testament time right into our own.  It is our responsibility to examine all claims by the Word of God (1John 4:1).  No deviation from the Word of God is allowed (Deut 5:32).

I looked in an old Sunday School lesson (1895) and found the following comment regarding the
old prophet who lied.

Verse 32: The old prophet recognised the event as from God, and had implicit faith also in the fulfilment of what had been prophesied concerning altar. Vol. 32: The Christadelphian : Volume 32. 2001, c1895. The Christadelphian, volume 32. (electronic ed.). Logos Library System (Vol. 32, Page 148). Birmingham: Christadelphian Magazine & Publishing Association.
 
Would the nameless old prophet have been acting as the adversary to test the nameless man of God, even as God is the adversary/satan in David's being caused to number the children of Israel (probably in punishment of their rejecting their king [David/God]).
 
Do we recognize that the event was from God?  ln the idea of 2Cor 9:13 "Through the testing of this ministry, you glorify God by your obedience to the confession of the gospel of Christ, and by your sharing with them and with all others....."

13:2  This amazing prophecy of a man named Josiah was fulfilled in 2Chron 34:8.

13:4 The drying up of Jeroboam’s arm because he would not listen to the counsel of God made him a bad shepherd of the people. This idea is taken up by the prophet – Zech 11:17

13:8    The prophet’s refusal of food from Jeroboam is because he does not want to be identified as having fellowship with the king. He has spoken God’s word and now he will leave.

There is a caution, in this episode, for believers and would-be believers.  If a religious authority figure, with apparent credentials, presents something, it must be checked out by the Word of God (the Bible). 

Such was the case of the Bereans, as they checked out the preaching of Paul and Silas in the scriptures (Acts 17:11).  If scripture agrees with what is presented, then accept it.  If it does not, then reject it.  The authority or charisma of the presenter has no bearing on the Truth, only the Word.

V.2 This prophecy was fulfilled by Josiah exactly as it had been foretold (2Kin 23:15-20).

V.13 This old man must have been a false prophet.  If he were a true prophet, he would not have lied (v.18).

And so, it would appear that it was a shock to the old man to actually receive a message from Yahweh (vs.20-22).   

This episode sounds similar to the account of the witch of Endor, who also received a manifestation from Yahweh.  That is the reason she cried out in shock (1Sam 28:12-14). 

Yahweh used both these false elements, the old prophet and the witch of Endor, to convey His message to the offending parties (Prov 26:5).

Like the witch of Endor, this old prophet did not seem to receive any sanction, from Yahweh, for his error.

V.11-12 It appears that Jeremiah's prophecies were known to Nebuchadnezzar through deserters (Jer 38:19;, Jer 39:9) Hence the kings kindness to him. "do him no harm"

39:3  The six named men here answer to the six men of Eze 9:2 (a contemporary prophet) who had slaughter weapons in their hands as they went to destroy Jerusalem.

39:1-2 From the details in this chapter we can see that the siege of Jerusalem n the days of Zedekiah lasted 18 months. This will help us to understand the desperate state of the people n the city by the time the city was taken.

39:4-5 Zedekiah had already been told – Jer 34:3 - that he would not escape. So this was a vain attempt which showed his total lack of confidence in his God. So the words of :5 are inevitable.

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Vs.1,2 The final invasion of Jerusalem began in January and lasted approximately one year and a half (which includes the time-out for the Babylonians to deal with the Egyptians).

V.5 Riblah is situated on the River Orontes, in Lebanon, about 143 km. north-east of Beirut.  The city was well situated to fertile plains, as well as the forests of Lebanon. Thus, all needs were well supplied.  It lay, about half-way, on the trade route between Egypt and Mesopotamia.  And so, it made an ideal garrison city as well as a trading stop-over.

39:9 The comment that the Chaldeans took the ‘remnant’ captive marks the final end of the kingdom of Judah. Despite the repeated warnings from the prophets the threefold captivity is now complete.

V.9 Had Zedekiah, his sons, and his officials stayed in Jerusalem, and surrendered, they would have been saved (Jer 38:17,18).

Vs.11,12 Yahweh used His servant Nebuchadnezzar to keep His prophet safe (Jer 27:6).

V.13 The Babylonian name pre-fix Nebu (or Nabu, in the case of Assyria), was in honor of Nebo the Babylonian god of literature and science.

V.14 Gedaliah was appointed, by Nebuchadnezzar, to be the Governor of Judah, in charge of the poor people who remained (v.10).

39:11-12 Having finished his witness against Judah from the days of Josiah God now provides Jeremiah with care. Humanly speaking the Chaldeans might have thought it a kindness to do because he, after all, had been encouraging the people to surrender to the Chaldeans. However God was in control of the care of Jeremiah even though it looked to be the most normal thing to happen. We should not think that the ‘natural;’ events in our lives are simply ‘chance’. Our God takes care of us also.

In v4, the disciples ask Jesus the question "when will these things be, and what will be the sign when all these things will be fulfilled?". The disciples didn't realise then, that the time of the gentiles was to come after the destruction of the temple, and that the kingdom wouldn't come immediatly. To them, the question was one question about one event. To Jesus, however, it was two questions, and he answered it as such.

Vs.24-27;32-37 This chapter contains what is termed the Olivet Prophecy. This  prophecy is essentially dealing with the events of AD 70,  but seems, also, to have references to Christ's Second Advent.  Comparable accounts can be found in Matt 24 and Luke 21. 

V.22 False prophets and false Christs did appear in the first century.  Gamaliel makes mention of a couple (Acts 5:36,37). The dates of their activities are not clear, although Josephus mentions a Theudas who led an unsuccessful rebellion against the Romans in 44 AD.

13:20 Notice that ‘for the elect’s sake he hath shortened those days’. God in His wisdom not only has made provision but He, through His son, is willing to tell us what He has planned also. Rather than trying to work out the details of what will happen around the time of the return of Jesus we maybe should focus on the care the Father has taken over us.

13:12   The conflict between members of one family was prophesied by the prophet – Mic 7:6

13:14 Whilst we might wonder why Jesus was so enigmatic about the prophecy of Daniel we must remember that at this time in his life Jesus did not know everything yet – Mark 13:32.

Vs.32,33 We do not know precisely when the Lord will return.  Yes, we should watch current events as they unfold in the geo-political heavens.  This will bolster our faith and spur us on, especially if we talk it up amongst ourselves (Heb 10:25).  

Trying to conclude time frames for end-time prophecy, with numerical precision, is not helpful in the light of Matt 25:13 

13:25 ‘the son of man coming in the clouds’ echoes the words of Dan 7:13, clearly a latter day prophecy.