1 Kings 13:25 tells us that the strange behaviour of the lion was witnessed by others. That is, we have no reason to believe that it was a dramatic creation of the writer intended to give the narrative dramatic effect. People passed by the place in the road where the body had been thrown. Their response was to go to the city where the old prophet lived, who had called the man of God disobediently to come back.
There is in this verse another layer of surprise at the behaviour of the lion. Why were the passersby spared from attack? This question helps to reinforce the idea that the judgment upon God’s disobedient servant was not meant to be a private matter. Not only had there been witnesses, but it was remarkable that these witnesses were spared to tell the event.
25 And behold, men passed by and saw the body thrown in the road and the lion standing by the body. And they came and told it in the city where the old prophet lived.