1 Kings 13:15

KJV

Then he said unto him, Come home with me, and eat bread.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then he said {H559} unto him, Come {H3212} home {H1004} with me, and eat {H398} bread {H3899}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Then he said to him, "Come home with me and eat some food."

Berean Standard Bible

So the prophet said to the man of God, “Come home with me and eat some bread.”

American Standard Version

Then he said unto him, Come home with me, and eat bread.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
First Kings 13:15 captures the pivotal moment when the old prophet of Bethel extends a deceptive invitation to the man of God from Judah, urging him to violate a direct divine command. This seemingly innocuous offer to "come home with me, and eat bread" serves as the critical turning point in the tragic narrative, setting the stage for the man of God's disobedience, the subsequent divine judgment, and his untimely death, thereby powerfully illustrating the severe consequences of straying from God's explicit instructions.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the man of God's steadfast refusal of King Jeroboam's invitation to dine, a refusal explicitly grounded in the Lord's command not to eat or drink in Bethel, nor to return by the same way he came ([1 Kings 13:8-9](/1_kings/13-8 "1 Kings 13:8-9 - The Man of God's Divine Command")). The old prophet, residing in Bethel, hears of these extraordinary events—the man of God's prophecy against Jeroboam's altar, the king's withered hand, and its miraculous restoration. Driven by curiosity or perhaps a more sinister intent, the old prophet pursues the man of God. The invitation in [1 Kings 13:15](/1_kings/13-15 "1 Kings 13:15 - The Old Prophet's Invitation") is the direct result of this pursuit, a seemingly benevolent gesture of hospitality that tragically becomes the instrument of the man of God's downfall, leading directly to his fatal disobedience detailed in the verses that follow ([1 Kings 13:18-24](/1_kings/13-18 "1 Kings 13:18-24 - The Deception and Death of the Man of God")).

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is Bethel, a significant religious site in ancient Israel, which Jeroboam had corrupted by establishing a golden calf as an alternative worship center to Jerusalem ([1 Kings 12:28-30](/1_kings/12-28 "1 Kings 12:28-30 - Jeroboam's Idolatry at Bethel and Dan")). This act of idolatry was a direct affront to Yahweh, making Bethel a place of divine judgment. Hospitality was a deeply ingrained cultural norm in the ancient Near East, often considered a sacred duty. An invitation to "eat bread" was a common expression of fellowship, trust, and provision. However, in this narrative, the old prophet leverages this cultural expectation to deceive the man of God, highlighting how even sacred customs can be perverted. The narrative also underscores the precarious position of prophets in a divided kingdom, where loyalty to God often clashed with political or social pressures.

* **Key Themes:** The passage powerfully explores several critical themes. **Temptation and Deception** are central, as the old prophet's seemingly benign invitation is a subtle form of temptation, designed to draw the man of God away from his divinely mandated abstinence. It vividly illustrates how spiritual deception can arise from unexpected sources, even from those who appear to be fellow believers or prophets. Another prominent theme is **Unwavering Obedience to God's Specific Word**. The narrative underscores the critical importance of adhering strictly to God's clear and unambiguous commands, even when faced with seemingly benevolent offers or conflicting spiritual advice. The man of God's initial unwavering obedience to the Lord's command ([1 Kings 13:9](/1_kings/13-9 "1 Kings 13:9 - The Lord's Command Not to Eat or Drink")) contrasts sharply with his later failure. Finally, the story highlights the **Consequences of Disobedience**. Although not immediately evident in this verse, accepting this invitation directly leads to the man of God's tragic death ([1 Kings 13:24](/1_kings/13-24 "1 Kings 13:24 - The Lion's Judgment")), illustrating the severe repercussions of straying from God's explicit instructions, even when deceived.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **"Come home" (לֵךְ אִתִּי הַבַּיְתָה, _lekh 'itti habbaytah_):** This phrase literally means "Go with me to the house." It's an invitation to a private dwelling, a place of rest, safety, and personal hospitality. In this context, it carries a deceptive weight, implying a safe haven and fellowship, yet it leads the man of God directly into a trap. The old prophet uses the language of intimacy and care to lure the man of God away from his divine mission.
* **"eat bread" (וֶאֱכֹל לֶחֶם, _ve'ekhol lekhem_):** The Hebrew word _lekhem_ (bread) often stands metonymically for a full meal or sustenance in general. In this specific narrative, "eating bread" is not merely about consuming food; it symbolizes breaking a divinely imposed fast and prohibition. The Lord had explicitly forbidden the man of God from eating or drinking in Bethel ([1 Kings 13:9](/1_kings/13-9 "1 Kings 13:9 - The Lord's Specific Prohibition")). Thus, this act represents a violation of a specific covenantal instruction, a breach of sacred trust, and a compromise of the man of God's prophetic integrity and mission.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then he said unto him,"**: This clause identifies the speaker as the old prophet of Bethel, who has just heard about the man of God's powerful prophetic act and his strict adherence to God's command. It sets up a direct interaction between two figures, one of whom is about to become an instrument of deception.
* **"Come home with me,"**: This is the old prophet's seemingly benevolent offer of hospitality. It is an invitation to leave the public sphere and enter a private dwelling, implying rest, comfort, and fellowship. However, given the divine prohibition against the man of God eating or drinking in Bethel, this invitation is inherently a test and a temptation, designed to draw him away from his obedience.
* **"and eat bread."**: This phrase specifies the exact act that the old prophet is inviting the man of God to perform—an act explicitly forbidden by God. It is the core of the temptation, representing the violation of the divine command and the breaking of the man of God's sacred commitment. The simplicity of the phrase belies the profound spiritual and theological implications of the proposed action.

#### Literary Devices
The narrative of 1 Kings 13, particularly this verse, is rich with **Irony**. The old prophet, ostensibly a man of God himself, uses the very language of spiritual fellowship and hospitality to deceive another man of God into disobeying the Lord. This is deeply ironic, as one would expect solidarity and truth from a fellow prophet, not deception. There is also strong **Foreshadowing** in this verse; the seemingly benign invitation directly foreshadows the man of God's tragic downfall and death, implying that his acceptance will lead to dire consequences. The narrative also employs **Contrast**, setting the initial unwavering obedience of the man of God to Jeroboam's offer against his eventual failure to resist the old prophet's seemingly more benign, yet equally dangerous, invitation. Finally, the act of "eating bread" functions as **Symbolism**, representing not just physical sustenance but the breaking of a divine covenant, the compromise of a sacred mission, and the entry into a fellowship that is contrary to God's explicit will.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The deceptive invitation in 1 Kings 13:15 serves as a profound theological lesson on the nature of obedience, the subtlety of temptation, and the critical importance of discerning spiritual counsel. It underscores that God's explicit commands are paramount and should not be overridden by seemingly benevolent offers or even by claims of new revelation that contradict established divine truth. The story warns against spiritual complacency and highlights that deception can come from unexpected sources, even from those who appear to be within the community of faith. It emphasizes that true faithfulness requires unwavering adherence to God's revealed will, even when it demands personal sacrifice or seems counter-intuitive to human wisdom or social norms.

* [Deuteronomy 13:1-5](/deuteronomy/13-1 "Deuteronomy 13:1-5 - Testing False Prophets")
* [Matthew 7:15-20](/matthew/7-15 "Matthew 7:15-20 - Beware of False Prophets")
* [1 John 4:1](/1_john/4-1 "1 John 4:1 - Test the Spirits")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The story of the man of God and the old prophet remains a potent cautionary tale for believers today. It challenges us to cultivate a deep and unwavering commitment to God's clear word, recognizing that temptation often comes disguised, not as overt evil, but as something seemingly good, hospitable, or even "spiritual." We are called to exercise vigilant discernment, not blindly accepting every voice that claims divine authority, but rigorously testing all counsel against the established truth of Scripture and the clear leading of the Holy Spirit. Our ultimate allegiance must be to God's direct commands, even when they seem inconvenient or when others, perhaps well-meaning but misguided, suggest an alternative path. The consequences of even seemingly small deviations from God's explicit will can be severe, reminding us that faithfulness is a lifelong journey requiring constant vigilance and absolute trust in the Lord alone.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do I discern between genuine spiritual counsel and deceptive voices, even from within the Christian community or from those I respect?**
* **What are the "specific commands" God has given me (or the Church) that I must not deviate from, even under pressure or seemingly kind offers?**
* **In what ways might seemingly benign invitations or opportunities subtly tempt me away from God's clear word or calling in my life today?**
* **Am I more susceptible to temptation when I am tired, vulnerable, or seeking comfort, much like the man of God might have been after his arduous mission?**

### FAQ
**Why was it so important for the man of God not to eat or drink in Bethel?**

Answer: The Lord's command not to eat or drink in Bethel ([1 Kings 13:9](/1_kings/13-9 "1 Kings 13:9 - The Lord's Specific Prohibition")) was a specific, symbolic act of judgment and separation. Bethel had become a center of idolatry under King Jeroboam ([1 Kings 12:28-30](/1_kings/12-28 "1 Kings 12:28-30 - Jeroboam's Golden Calves")), and the man of God's refusal to partake in sustenance there underscored God's absolute rejection of the false worship. It was a visible sign of his divine mission and a test of his absolute obedience and unwavering commitment to God's holiness, demonstrating that he would not compromise with the defiled place.

**Was the old prophet truly a prophet of God, or was he malicious?**

Answer: The text does not explicitly state the old prophet's motives, making him a complex and enigmatic figure. He is identified as an "old prophet" ([1 Kings 13:11](/1_kings/13-11 "1 Kings 13:11 - The Old Prophet of Bethel")), suggesting he had a history of prophetic activity, but his actions are clearly deceptive and lead to the man of God's death. He might have been a genuine prophet who had become disobedient or complacent, a false prophet, or simply a man testing the man of God out of curiosity or envy. Regardless of his personal spiritual state, his lie ([1 Kings 13:18](/1_kings/13-18 "1 Kings 13:18 - The Old Prophet's Lie")) was a direct contradiction of God's previously revealed word, making him an instrument of temptation and judgment. The story's focus is less on his character and more on the crucial lesson of obedience for the man of God.

**What does this story teach us about spiritual authority?**

Answer: This story powerfully teaches that God's ultimate authority, as revealed in His clear and unambiguous commands, takes precedence over any other voice, even one claiming divine inspiration. It underscores the principle that all prophetic words or spiritual counsel must be tested against the already established word of God ([Deuteronomy 13:1-5](/deuteronomy/13-1 "Deuteronomy 13:1-5 - Testing Prophets")). The man of God's failure to remember and prioritize the initial, clear instruction from the Lord, instead yielding to a later, contradictory claim, highlights the danger of spiritual gullibility and the necessity of discerning spirits ([1 John 4:1](/1_john/4-1 "1 John 4:1 - Test Every Spirit")). True spiritual authority is rooted in consistency with God's character and His revealed truth.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The tragic failure of the man of God in [1 Kings 13:15](/1_kings/13-15 "1 Kings 13:15 - The Old Prophet's Invitation") and subsequent verses finds its ultimate contrast and fulfillment in the perfect obedience of Jesus Christ. Unlike the man of God who succumbed to a seemingly benign invitation to "eat bread" against God's command, Jesus, the true Man of God, faced far greater temptations and never deviated from the Father's will. In the wilderness, when tempted by Satan to turn stones into bread after a forty-day fast, Jesus steadfastly refused, declaring, "[Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God](/matthew/4-4 "Matthew 4:4 - Jesus' Response to Temptation")" ([Matthew 4:4](/matthew/4-4 "Matthew 4:4 - Jesus' Response to Temptation")). This demonstrates His absolute reliance on and unwavering obedience to the Father's word, even in the face of extreme hunger. Jesus is the [Bread of Life](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life"), who offers true spiritual nourishment that satisfies eternally, unlike the bread that led to the man of God's demise ([John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life") and [John 6:51](/john/6-51 "John 6:51 - Jesus, the Living Bread")). His entire life was an embodiment of perfect obedience, culminating in His voluntary submission to the Father's will on the cross, even to the point of death ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Humility and Obedience")). Jesus, as the [Word made flesh](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh"), is the ultimate source of truth and life, against whom no deceptive word can stand, offering us not a cautionary tale of failure, but a perfect example of faithfulness and the promise of eternal life through His atoning sacrifice.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.