1 Kings 13:15-19

13:15 He then said to him, “Come home with me and eat something.” 13:16 But he replied, “I can’t go back with you ¹  or eat and drink ²  with you in this place. 13:17 For the Lord gave me strict orders, ³  ‘Do not eat or drink ⁴  there; do not go back the way you came.’” 13:18 The old prophet then said, ⁵  “I too am a prophet like you. An angel told me with the Lord’s authority, ⁶  ‘Bring him back with you to your house so he can eat and drink.’” ⁷  But he was lying to him. ⁸  13:19 So the prophet went back with him and ate and drank in his house. ⁹ 

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¹ tn Heb “I am unable to return with you or to go with you.”

² tn Heb “eat food and drink water.”

³ tn Heb “for a word to me by the word of the Lord.”

⁴ tn Heb “eat food and drink water.”

⁵ tn Heb “and he said to him.”

⁶ tn Heb “by the word of the Lord.”

⁷ tn Heb “eat food and drink water.”

⁸ tn Or “deceiving him.”

sn He was lying to him. The motives and actions of the old prophet are difficult to understand. The old man’s response to the prophet’s death (see vv. 26-32) suggests he did not trick him with malicious intent. The old prophet probably wanted the honor of entertaining such a celebrity, or perhaps simply desired some social interaction with a fellow prophet.

⁹ tn Heb “and he returned with him and ate food in his house and drank water.”