1 Kings 13:18

The old prophet then said, ¹  “I too am a prophet like you. An angel told me with the Lord’s authority, ²  ‘Bring him back with you to your house so he can eat and drink.’” ³  But he was lying to him. ⁴ 

Ge 3:4,5; Nu 22:35; Jud 6:11,12; Jud 13:3; Isa 9:15; Jer 5:12,31; Jer 23:14,17,32; Jer 28:15,16; Eze 13:9,10,22; Mt 7:15; Mt 24:24; Ro 16:18; 2Co 11:3,13-15; 2Pe 2:1; 1Jo 4:1; Re 19:20

¹ tn Heb “and he said to him.”

² tn Heb “by the word of the Lord.”

³ tn Heb “eat food and drink water.”

⁴ 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.