And after he had buried him, he said to his sons, 'When I die, bury me in the grave where the man of God is buried; lay my bones beside his bones — The old prophet requests that his own bones rest beside those of the young prophet, creating a permanent companionship in death. The phrase שִׂימוּ אֶת־עַצְמוֹתַי אֵצֶל עַצְמוֹתָיו (simu et-atzmi atzel atzmatav, lay my bones beside his bones) suggests a desire for ongoing association and perhaps expiation for the deception. The request indicates the old prophet's ongoing spiritual respect for the young man, despite or perhaps because of the tragedy his deception precipitated.

COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS

Publish a note on this verse