1 Kings 13:17

KJV

For it was said to me by the word of the LORD, Thou shalt eat no bread nor drink water there, nor turn again to go by the way that thou camest.

KJV (with Strong's)

For it was said {H1697} to me by the word {H1697} of the LORD {H3068}, Thou shalt eat {H398} no bread {H3899} nor drink {H8354} water {H4325} there, nor turn again {H7725} to go {H3212} by the way {H1870} that thou camest {H1980}.

Complete Jewish Bible

because it was said to me by the word of ADONAI, 'You are not to eat food or drink water there, and you are not to go back by the way you came.'"

Berean Standard Bible

For I have been told by the word of the LORD: ‘You must not eat bread or drink water there or return by the way you came.’”

American Standard Version

for it was said to me by the word of Jehovah, Thou shalt eat no bread nor drink water there, nor turn again to go by the way that thou camest.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Kings 13:17 captures the resolute declaration of the man of God from Judah, reiterating the precise and non-negotiable divine instructions he received from the LORD. This verse is pivotal, occurring immediately after he delivers a powerful prophecy against King Jeroboam's idolatrous altar at Bethel and miraculously withstands Jeroboam's attempt to seize him. It underscores the prophet's initial unwavering obedience to God's specific commands regarding his conduct during and after his mission, setting the stage for the tragic consequences of his later deviation from these very instructions.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** The narrative of 1 Kings 13 begins with the man of God, unnamed, arriving from Judah at Bethel to confront King Jeroboam, who had established a rival worship center with golden calves to prevent his people from returning to Jerusalem for worship ([1 Kings 12:28-30](/1-kings/12-28 "Jeroboam's Idolatry")). The prophet delivers a stern prophecy against the altar and Jeroboam himself ([1 Kings 13:1-2](/1-kings/13-1 "Prophecy Against Bethel's Altar")). When Jeroboam attempts to seize him, his hand withers, and the altar splits, validating the divine message ([1 Kings 13:4-5](/1-kings/13-4 "Jeroboam's Withered Hand and the Altar's Split")). In gratitude, Jeroboam invites the man of God to dine with him and receive a reward. Verse 17, along with [1 Kings 13:8-9](/1-kings/13-8 "The Man of God's Initial Refusal"), records the man of God's firm refusal, explicitly citing the divine command to abstain from food and drink in Bethel and to return by a different route. This refusal highlights his initial fidelity to God's word, making his subsequent disobedience, detailed in the latter part of the chapter, all the more tragic.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** This event unfolds during the early years of the divided monarchy, shortly after the schism between Judah and Israel. Jeroboam's establishment of cultic sites at Dan and Bethel was a political and religious maneuver designed to consolidate his power and prevent his subjects from maintaining religious ties with Jerusalem, the capital of Judah and the legitimate center of Yahweh worship. Bethel, historically significant as a place where Jacob encountered God ([Genesis 28:10-22](/genesis/28-10 "Jacob's Dream at Bethel")), was now a site of idolatry. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, hospitality was a sacred duty, and refusing an invitation from a king could be seen as a grave insult or an act of defiance. The man of God's strict adherence to God's command to refuse sustenance and a direct return route was thus a powerful symbolic act, signifying his complete separation from the corrupt environment and his uncompromised allegiance to the LORD, even at the cost of offending a king or foregoing customary hospitality.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes within 1 Kings 13 and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores the **absolute authority of God's word** and the imperative of strict obedience to divine commands. The man of God's clear reiteration of "the word of the LORD" emphasizes that God's instructions are not suggestions but non-negotiable mandates. Secondly, the divine prohibition serves as a profound **test of obedience and faithfulness**. The restrictions on eating, drinking, and the return route were designed to ensure the prophet's complete reliance on God and to prevent any defilement or compromise from the idolatrous environment. This test highlights the spiritual discipline required of those who serve God. Tragically, this verse also serves as a stark **foresadowing of the consequences of disobedience**. The man of God's firm declaration here makes his later fall, when he is deceived by an old prophet into violating these very commands ([1 Kings 13:18-19](/1-kings/13-18 "The Old Prophet's Deception")), a profound illustration of the gravity of disregarding God's explicit word, even if done under duress or deception, leading to severe and fatal outcomes ([1 Kings 13:24](/1-kings/13-24 "The Lion's Judgment")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Word (Hebrew, _davar_):** The phrase "by the word of the LORD" translates the Hebrew "בִּדְבַר יְהוָה" (*bidvar YHWH*). The word "דָּבָר" (*davar*) is far more than a mere utterance; it signifies a powerful, active, and authoritative decree or message from God. It implies a divine mandate that carries inherent power and demands absolute compliance. This emphasizes that the man of God's instructions were not arbitrary but originated from the sovereign will of Yahweh himself.
* **Said (Hebrew, _tsavah_):** While the KJV uses "said," the underlying Hebrew concept, particularly as reinforced by the earlier "charged me" in [1 Kings 13:9](/1-kings/13-9 "The Divine Command"), comes from the root "צָוָה" (*tsavah*), meaning "to command, order, charge." This verb denotes a solemn and binding injunction, leaving no room for negotiation or deviation. It underscores the non-negotiable nature of God's instructions to the prophet, highlighting the gravity of his mission and the seriousness of any departure from it.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For it was said to me by the word of the LORD,"**: This opening clause establishes the divine origin and unassailable authority of the instructions. The man of God is not acting on his own initiative or personal preference but is merely relaying a direct, explicit command from Yahweh. This phrase serves as a powerful justification for his refusal of Jeroboam's hospitality, placing the divine will above human custom or royal invitation.
* **"Thou shalt eat no bread nor drink water there,"**: This is the first specific prohibition. The "there" refers to Bethel, the location of Jeroboam's idolatrous altar. This command signifies a complete separation from the defiled environment. To partake of food or drink would imply fellowship, acceptance, or even dependence on a place that God had condemned. It was a symbolic act of purity and non-association with apostasy, emphasizing the prophet's sole reliance on God for sustenance and protection.
* **"nor turn again to go by the way that thou camest."**: This is the second specific prohibition, concerning the return journey. This command reinforces the idea of complete separation and non-association. Returning by the same path might symbolize a lingering connection to the condemned place or a return to the "old ways." It ensured a clean break, preventing any further contact or compromise with the idolatrous kingdom of Israel and emphasizing the uniqueness and finality of his divine mission to Bethel.

#### Literary Devices
The passage in 1 Kings 13:17, within its broader narrative, makes effective use of several literary devices. **Foreshadowing** is prominent, as the man of God's firm reiteration of the divine command tragically anticipates his later failure to uphold it, leading to his demise. This initial display of unwavering obedience sets up a poignant contrast with his eventual disobedience, heightening the dramatic tension and emphasizing the gravity of his fall. **Symbolism** is also at play through the specific prohibitions: the refusal of food and drink symbolizes a complete disassociation from the corrupt environment of Bethel and a reliance solely on divine provision, while the command to return by a different route symbolizes a clean break from the condemned territory. Finally, there is a profound **Irony** in the narrative. The man of God, who so confidently declared "the word of the LORD" and initially obeyed it perfectly, ultimately falls because he accepts a *different* "word of the LORD" from an old prophet, which turns out to be a lie. This tragic irony underscores the dangers of deception and the critical importance of discerning true divine revelation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Kings 13:17 serves as a powerful reminder of the absolute authority of God's word and the non-negotiable demand for obedience from His servants. The man of God's initial fidelity highlights that divine commands are not arbitrary but are given for specific purposes—to maintain purity, prevent compromise, and demonstrate complete reliance on God. His subsequent failure underscores the fragility of human obedience and the severe consequences of even seemingly minor deviations from God's explicit instructions, especially when influenced by deceptive counsel. The narrative warns against both overt rebellion and subtle forms of compromise, emphasizing that God's word, once clearly given, must be honored above all human persuasion or perceived convenience. It challenges believers to cultivate a deep reverence for Scripture and to remain vigilant against any voice, however seemingly spiritual, that contradicts divine truth.

* [1 Samuel 15:22](/1-samuel/15-22 "Obedience Better Than Sacrifice")
* [Deuteronomy 13:1-5](/deuteronomy/13-1 "Testing False Prophets")
* [Proverbs 14:12](/proverbs/14-12 "There Is a Way That Seems Right")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The account surrounding 1 Kings 13:17 profoundly challenges believers to examine the nature of their obedience to God's revealed will. The man of God's initial steadfastness, contrasted with his later tragic fall, serves as a potent warning: even those who have experienced powerful divine encounters and delivered God's word can be vulnerable to deception and disobedience. This narrative calls us to cultivate an unwavering commitment to God's explicit commands, as found in Scripture, and to be acutely discerning of voices—even those claiming spiritual authority—that might subtly undermine or contradict what God has plainly spoken. Our spiritual walk is not merely about grand prophetic acts but about consistent, moment-by-moment fidelity to the clear instructions of our Lord. The story compels us to ask: Are we truly listening to God's word, or are we susceptible to persuasive arguments that cater to our desires for comfort, acceptance, or intellectual curiosity, even if they lead us astray from the path of strict obedience?

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do I discern between genuine divine instruction and deceptive voices in my life today?**
* **What are the "Bethels" in my life—places or situations where I might be tempted to compromise my commitment to God's purity and separation?**
* **In what areas of my life am I most susceptible to rationalizing disobedience, even when God's command is clear?**
* **How does the man of God's initial refusal of Jeroboam's hospitality challenge my own willingness to prioritize God's command over social pressure or personal gain?**

### FAQ
**Why were the restrictions on eating, drinking, and the return route so strict?**

Answer: The restrictions were not arbitrary but served multiple crucial purposes. Firstly, they were a symbolic act of **separation** from the idolatrous and condemned environment of Bethel. To eat or drink there would imply fellowship or acceptance of a place and a king actively defying God. Secondly, they were a **test of obedience and reliance** on God alone. By forbidding human sustenance and a familiar return path, God was ensuring the prophet's complete dependence on divine provision and guidance. Thirdly, they served as a **prophetic sign** in themselves, emphasizing the gravity of Jeroboam's sin and the complete break God desired from such apostasy. The man of God was to be a pure vessel, uncontaminated by the very place he was sent to condemn, reinforcing the message of divine judgment against the corrupt worship established by Jeroboam ([1 Kings 12:28-30](/1-kings/12-28 "Jeroboam's Idolatry")).

**Was the old prophet truly a prophet of the LORD, and why did he lie?**

Answer: The text identifies him as an "old prophet" ([1 Kings 13:11](/1-kings/13-11 "The Old Prophet of Bethel")). While he clearly had a history of prophetic activity, his actions in this chapter demonstrate a severe moral and spiritual compromise. He was a prophet living in Bethel, a center of idolatry, and his motivation for lying is debated. Some scholars suggest he might have been testing the man of God, or perhaps he was jealous of the younger prophet's direct commission, or even seeking to re-establish his own prophetic credibility. Regardless of his exact motive, his deception was a grave sin, directly contradicting God's clear command and leading to the death of the man of God. His actions serve as a stark warning that not all who claim to speak for God are trustworthy, and that even genuine prophets can fall into error or deception, highlighting the need to test all spirits and words against God's revealed truth ([1 John 4:1](/1-john/4-1 "Test the Spirits")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The tragic narrative of the man of God from Judah, particularly his initial unwavering obedience in 1 Kings 13:17 and his subsequent fatal deviation, finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Where the man of God ultimately failed in his obedience to a specific divine command, Jesus perfectly fulfilled every aspect of God's will. Jesus, the true Prophet, came not only to deliver God's word but to embody it ([John 1:1](/john/1-1 "The Word Was God")). His life was marked by absolute submission to the Father's will, even to the point of death on a cross ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Christ's Obedience to Death")). Unlike the man of God who succumbed to deception regarding food and a path, Jesus famously resisted temptation in the wilderness, quoting Scripture to defeat the devil's lies and refusing to turn stones into bread or take a shortcut to glory ([Matthew 4:1-11](/matthew/4-1 "The Temptation of Jesus")). He declared, "My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work" ([John 4:34](/john/4-34 "Jesus' Food Is to Do God's Will")), perfectly embodying the spirit of obedience that the man of God initially displayed. Furthermore, while the man of God was commanded to return by a different way, Jesus is the definitive "way" back to God, the only path to salvation and reconciliation ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life")). In Christ, the consequences of humanity's disobedience, tragically illustrated by the man of God's fate, are fully borne and overcome, offering forgiveness and new life to all who trust in His perfect obedience and atoning sacrifice ([Romans 5:19](/romans/5-19 "Obedience of One Makes Many Righteous")).

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.

Cross-References

1 Kings 20:35

And a certain man of the sons of the prophets said unto his neighbour in the word of the LORD, Smite me, I pray thee. And the man refused to smite him.

1 Thessalonians 4:15

For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive [and] remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.

1 Kings 13:1

¶ And, behold, there came a man of God out of Judah by the word of the LORD unto Bethel: and Jeroboam stood by the altar to burn incense.