1 Kings 13 16

1 Kings 13:16 kjv

And he said, I may not return with thee, nor go in with thee: neither will I eat bread nor drink water with thee in this place:

1 Kings 13:16 nkjv

And he said, "I cannot return with you nor go in with you; neither can I eat bread nor drink water with you in this place.

1 Kings 13:16 niv

The man of God said, "I cannot turn back and go with you, nor can I eat bread or drink water with you in this place.

1 Kings 13:16 esv

And he said, "I may not return with you, or go in with you, neither will I eat bread nor drink water with you in this place,

1 Kings 13:16 nlt

"No, I cannot," he replied. "I am not allowed to eat or drink anything here in this place.

1 Kings 13 verses

1 Kings 13 16 Meaning

The prophet from Judah, specifically commissioned by God, steadfastly declares his adherence to the divine command not to partake in food or drink, nor to return to the location of Bethel. This signifies an absolute commitment to God's precise instructions, illustrating the critical importance of immediate and unwavering obedience, and a resolute separation from any perceived defilement associated with the place and its people. His words underscore a rejection of common hospitality for the sake of higher divine principles.

1 Kings 13 16 Context

This verse is situated early in the reign of Jeroboam I, king of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Jeroboam had established idolatrous golden calves at Bethel and Dan, seeking to prevent his people from worshiping in Jerusalem in Judah, thus consolidating his political control but religiously undermining YHWH's covenant. God sent an unnamed prophet, "a man of God," from Judah to Bethel to pronounce judgment on Jeroboam's altar and actions. After miraculously withering and restoring Jeroboam's hand, the man of God firmly refused the king's offer of a reward and hospitality, explicitly stating God's command not to eat, drink, or return by the same way (1 Ki 13:9). This command was crucial to prevent the prophet from being defiled by Jeroboam's idolatrous regime and to ensure the purity of his mission. The subsequent verses reveal an "old prophet" from Bethel who lies to the man of God, claiming angelic revelation that countermanded God's original instruction, leading to the man of God's tragic disobedience and death. Verse 16 highlights the prophet's initial unwavering resolve before this fateful deception, serving as a powerful demonstration of loyalty and separation from defilement in a corrupt environment.

1 Kings 13 16 Word analysis

• And the man of God: In Hebrew, 'ish ha'elohim (אִישׁ הָאֱלֹהִים). This is a technical term signifying a prophet or divinely appointed messenger, emphasizing his authority and direct connection to YHWH. It highlights his pure commission distinct from any self-proclaimed or compromised spiritual leader.
• said: Simple Hebrew verb va'yomer (וַיֹּאמֶר), denoting a direct and clear statement, underscoring his certainty and resolve.
• unto the old prophet: Hebrew, el hannâbî' hazzâqên (אֶל הַנָּבִיא הַזָּקֵן). The term "old prophet" is significant. While a "prophet" (נָבִיא - navi) usually denotes one who speaks for God, this "old" designation, coupled with his actions, subtly contrasts him with the "man of God" (from Judah). He dwells in Bethel, the center of Jeroboam's newly instituted idolatry, raising questions about his spiritual integrity and adherence to true worship, despite retaining the title. His age typically implied wisdom, but here it camouflages deceptive intent or compromise.
• I may not return with thee: A strong prohibitive, reflecting the direct command of the Lord given to him (1 Ki 13:9). "Return" implies going back on the same path, which was explicitly forbidden, likely to emphasize complete severance from Bethel's unholy environment.
• nor go in with thee: This indicates a refusal to enter the old prophet's house or associate with him in any communal way. It is a further expression of strict adherence to the divine mandate of separation, even from someone claiming to be a prophet.
• neither will I eat bread nor drink water with thee: Hebrew, lo-ʼochal-lechem veloʼ-ʼeshteh-mayim (לֹא אֹכַל-לֶחֶם וְלֹא-אֶשְׁתֶּה מַיִם). This phrase reiterates the core of the specific prohibition given by God (1 Ki 13:9).
  • bread (lechem - לֶחֶם) and water (mayim - מַיִם): These are basic necessities of life and fundamental elements of hospitality in the ancient Near East. Refusing them publicly signifies a profound act of dissociation. For the man of God, consuming anything from Bethel would have been symbolic defilement, an act of implicitly endorsing or being tainted by Jeroboam's idolatry, or a breach of his divine commission requiring purity and non-association with a rebellious environment.
• in this place: Specifically pointing to Bethel. This emphasizes the geographical boundary of the divine command, indicating that any act of consumption or fellowship within this defiled territory would be a transgression against the purity required by YHWH. It's a precise spatial command reinforcing the need for separation from Jeroboam's corrupted worship center.
• "I may not return with thee, nor go in with thee": This phrase demonstrates the man of God's understanding of the full scope of God's command beyond mere eating and drinking. It implies a broader instruction regarding non-association and physical separation from the place and its inhabitants who engaged in apostasy.
• "neither will I eat bread nor drink water with thee in this place": This is a direct echo and reassertion of God's explicit prohibition (1 Ki 13:9). It signifies an unwavering resolve to obey YHWH's command precisely, even in the face of human appeals or seemingly kind overtures. This resolute refusal served as a powerful testament to the king and people of Bethel about the severity of their idolatry and the separation required of God's servant.

1 Kings 13 16 Bonus section

• The Uncompromising Nature of God's Word: This verse exemplifies that God's commands can be absolute and leave no room for compromise, especially when spiritual integrity and the witness against idolatry are at stake.
• Testing of Obedience: The entire interaction, though initially innocent-seeming from the old prophet's side, turned into a test of the man of God's commitment to the clear divine instruction. The failure occurred when the prophet sought to re-interpret or invalidate the initial word of the Lord based on a new, unverified claim of divine revelation.
• Distinguishing True from False Revelation: The narrative immediately following this verse (1 Ki 13:18) introduces the concept of an "angel" as the source of conflicting revelation. This implicitly warns believers against accepting any purported divine message that directly contradicts an already clear, established command from the Lord. True revelation will align with God's nature and previously revealed will.
• Vulnerability of Even Righteous Individuals: Despite his true prophetic gifting (evidenced by his healing of Jeroboam's hand) and initial strong obedience, the man of God proved susceptible to human manipulation and spiritual deception. This highlights that spiritual authority or past faithfulness does not make one immune to temptation or error.
• Prophetic Titles vs. Righteous Conduct: The presence of both an "old prophet" and a "man of God" (from Judah) illustrates that possessing a prophetic title or heritage does not guarantee faithfulness. The "man of God" truly acted for God, while the "old prophet" engaged in deception, ultimately contributing to a righteous man's downfall.

1 Kings 13 16 Commentary

1 Kings 13:16 captures the "man of God's" initial resolute obedience to a precise, non-negotiable divine command. His refusal to accept hospitality or deviate from his route served as a visible and powerful testimony against Jeroboam's idolatrous Bethel. This commitment highlighted the sanctity of God's word and the need for purity and separation for those who served Him, especially in a spiritually polluted environment. This initial steadfastness provides a stark contrast to his tragic fall later in the chapter, which occurred precisely because he allowed another, seemingly pious voice, to override God's clear, direct instruction. It underscores the critical danger of even slight deviations from God's word, especially when influenced by deception or the appeal of common comforts. The verse serves as a crucial point to highlight what God expected – unwavering, precise obedience to His spoken word.