1 Kings 13:18

KJV

He said unto him, I [am] a prophet also as thou [art]; and an angel spake unto me by the word of the LORD, saying, Bring him back with thee into thine house, that he may eat bread and drink water. [But] he lied unto him.

KJV (with Strong's)

He said {H559} unto him, I am a prophet {H5030} also as thou art; and an angel {H4397} spake {H1696} unto me by the word {H1697} of the LORD {H3068}, saying {H559}, Bring him back {H7725} with thee into thine house {H1004}, that he may eat {H398} bread {H3899} and drink {H8354} water {H4325}. But he lied {H3584} unto him.

Complete Jewish Bible

The other said to him, "I too am a prophet, just like you; and an angel spoke to me by the word of ADONAI and said, 'Bring him back with you to your house, so that he can eat food and drink water.'" But he was lying to him.

Berean Standard Bible

Then the prophet replied, “I too am a prophet like you, and an angel spoke to me by the word of the LORD, saying, ‘Bring him back with you to your house, so that he may eat bread and drink water.’” The old prophet was lying to him,

American Standard Version

And he said unto him, I also am a prophet as thou art; and an angel spake unto me by the word of Jehovah, saying, Bring him back with thee into thy house, that he may eat bread and drink water. But he lied unto him.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
First Kings 13:18 records a tragic turning point in the narrative of the man of God from Judah, detailing the deceptive words of an old prophet from Bethel. This verse reveals the old prophet's blatant lie, claiming a false angelic message from the LORD to entice the man of God to violate a direct divine command, thereby setting the stage for the man of God's disobedience and subsequent demise.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is central to the dramatic and cautionary tale of the man of God from Judah, which unfolds in [1 Kings 13](/1_kings/13 "1 Kings 13 - The Man of God from Judah"). Prior to this, the man of God had been sent by the LORD to Bethel to prophesy against King Jeroboam’s idolatrous altar, delivering a powerful and miraculous sign ([1 Kings 13:1-5](/1_kings/13-1 "1 Kings 13:1-5 - Prophecy Against Jeroboam's Altar")). Crucially, the LORD had given him a strict, explicit command: he was not to eat bread or drink water in Bethel, nor was he to return by the same way he came ([1 Kings 13:9](/1_kings/13-9 "1 Kings 13:9 - The LORD's Strict Command")). After refusing Jeroboam’s hospitality and remaining steadfast in his obedience, the man of God encounters an old prophet who, upon hearing of the events, actively seeks him out. Verse 18 marks the moment of the old prophet's deliberate deception, which directly leads to the man of God’s fateful decision to disobey God’s clear word, culminating in his death ([1 Kings 13:23-24](/1_kings/13-23 "1 Kings 13:23-24 - The Man of God's Tragic End")).

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The narrative is set against the backdrop of the divided kingdom, specifically in the northern kingdom of Israel under King Jeroboam. Jeroboam had established alternative worship centers at Bethel and Dan, complete with golden calves, to prevent his subjects from returning to Jerusalem to worship the LORD ([1 Kings 12:26-33](/1_kings/12-26 "1 Kings 12:26-33 - Jeroboam's Idolatry")). Bethel, a historically significant site for Israelite worship, was now a center of apostasy. Prophets played a crucial role in ancient Israel, serving as God's spokespersons, but their authenticity was always subject to scrutiny ([Deuteronomy 18:20-22](/deuteronomy/18-20 "Deuteronomy 18:20-22 - Testing a Prophet")). The cultural norm of hospitality was strong, making the old prophet's invitation, even if deceitful, a powerful social lure. The story highlights the dangers of false prophecy and the challenges of discerning true divine messages in a context where spiritual authority was often claimed by many.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes within [1 Kings](/1_kings/1 "1 Kings - The History of Israel's Kings") and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **obedience to God's explicit word**, demonstrating the severe consequences of deviation, even when influenced by seemingly spiritual counsel. The man of God's initial steadfastness ([1 Kings 13:8-10](/1_kings/13-8 "1 Kings 13:8-10 - The Man of God's Initial Obedience")) sharply contrasts with his later capitulation. Secondly, it highlights the pervasive danger of **deception and false prophecy**. The old prophet's lie is not merely a social falsehood but a spiritual manipulation, masquerading as divine revelation. This resonates with warnings against false prophets throughout Scripture, such as in [Jeremiah 14:14](/jeremiah/14-14 "Jeremiah 14:14 - False Prophecies") and [2 Peter 2:1-3](/2_peter/2-1 "2 Peter 2:1-3 - Warnings Against False Teachers"). Finally, the narrative explores the theme of **divine judgment and accountability**, showing that even God's chosen messengers are not exempt from the consequences of disobedience, emphasizing God's unwavering commitment to His word.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **lied (Hebrew, _kāḥash_):** The Hebrew verb כָּחַשׁ (*kāḥash*), translated as "lied" in the KJV, carries a strong connotation of deception, denial, or acting falsely, often with an intention to mislead or betray. It is not merely a casual untruth but a deliberate fabrication designed to achieve a specific, manipulative outcome. In this context, it emphasizes the old prophet's calculated spiritual fraud, presenting a human invention as a divine decree, thereby undermining the authority and clarity of God's original command. This word underscores the gravity of the old prophet's actions, portraying him as a deceiver who knowingly used the sacred language of prophecy to lead another prophet astray.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"He said unto him, I [am] a prophet also as thou [art];"**: This opening clause establishes the old prophet's credentials and seeks to create a sense of kinship and shared authority with the man of God. By asserting his own prophetic status, the old prophet attempts to gain the man of God's trust and make his subsequent "revelation" seem legitimate and equally authoritative, if not superior, to the man of God's direct command. This statement is a foundational element of the deception, leveraging a shared spiritual identity.
* **"and an angel spake unto me by the word of the LORD, saying, Bring him back with thee into thine house, that he may eat bread and drink water."**: This is the core of the old prophet's lie. He claims a direct, angelic revelation from the LORD, specifically contradicting the man of God's explicit divine instruction not to eat or drink in Bethel ([1 Kings 13:9](/1_kings/13-9 "1 Kings 13:9 - The LORD's Command")). The invocation of "an angel" and "the word of the LORD" lends a powerful, divine imprimatur to his false message, making it incredibly difficult for the man of God to refuse without appearing to defy God Himself. The specific invitation to "eat bread and drink water" directly targets the prohibition given to the man of God, making the lie a direct assault on his obedience.
* **"[But] he lied unto him."**: This concise, stark declaration by the narrator immediately exposes the old prophet's deception, leaving no ambiguity for the reader. It is a divine commentary on the preceding words, revealing the true nature of the old prophet's utterance. This parenthetical statement is crucial; it unveils the spiritual fraud and highlights the deliberate, malicious intent behind the old prophet's words, setting the stage for the tragic consequences that follow. It emphasizes that the man of God was not merely mistaken but was actively deceived by a falsehood presented as truth.

#### Literary Devices
The narrative of [1 Kings 13](/1_kings/13 "1 Kings 13 - The Man of God from Judah") and particularly verse 18, is rich with literary devices that amplify its cautionary message. **Irony** is prominent, as an old prophet, ostensibly a servant of the LORD, becomes the instrument of deception leading another prophet to disobedience and death. The very person who should have upheld God's word actively undermines it. There is also significant **Foreshadowing** in this verse; the lie spoken here directly precipitates the man of God's disobedience, which the reader knows will lead to his demise. The narrator's immediate revelation, "But he lied unto him," serves as a dramatic **aside** or **narrative intrusion**, directly informing the reader of the truth and establishing a clear moral judgment, thereby building suspense and highlighting the gravity of the old prophet's actions. This direct address to the reader also creates a stark **Contrast** between the old prophet's deceptive words and the divine reality, emphasizing the clear distinction between truth and falsehood.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
First Kings 13:18 serves as a profound theological warning about the nature of truth, the authority of God's word, and the perils of spiritual deception. It underscores that God's commands are absolute and not subject to modification or contradiction by subsequent "revelations," especially when those revelations originate from questionable sources. The narrative highlights the critical importance of discernment, reminding believers that even those who claim spiritual authority can be agents of falsehood. God holds His servants accountable for their obedience to His clear word, irrespective of the persuasive power of deceptive voices. This tragic account emphasizes that genuine prophecy always aligns with God's established character and previous revelation, and any message that contradicts a direct divine command should be immediately suspect.

* [Deuteronomy 13:1-5](/deuteronomy/13-1 "Deuteronomy 13:1-5 - Testing a Prophet's Authenticity")
* [Matthew 7:15](/matthew/7-15 "Matthew 7:15 - 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 from Judah and the old prophet of Bethel offers timeless lessons for believers navigating a world filled with competing voices and claims of truth. It compels us to cultivate a deep and unwavering commitment to God's revealed Word, the Scripture, as our ultimate authority. In an age saturated with information and diverse spiritual claims, the ability to discern between truth and falsehood is paramount. We are challenged to prioritize God's clear commands above all else, recognizing that even well-intentioned or seemingly spiritual advice can lead us astray if it contradicts what God has already plainly spoken. This narrative calls us to a posture of humility, vigilance, and constant reliance on the Holy Spirit for discernment, ensuring that our obedience is to God alone and not to the persuasive, yet deceptive, words of others.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does this passage challenge my approach to discerning spiritual advice or prophetic claims today?**
* **In what areas of my life might I be susceptible to prioritizing a "new word" over a clear, established command from God's Scripture?**
* **What steps can I take to deepen my commitment to God's written Word as my ultimate authority and safeguard against deception?**
* **How does the old prophet's lie highlight the seriousness of spiritual manipulation within a community of faith?**

### FAQ
**Why would the old prophet lie to the man of God?**

Answer: The text does not explicitly state the old prophet's motivation, leading to various interpretations. Some scholars suggest it was out of envy or jealousy for the man of God's direct commission and powerful ministry. Others propose a desire to reassert his own diminished prophetic authority in Bethel, or perhaps a test of the man of God's obedience. It's also possible he was a genuine prophet who had fallen into apostasy or spiritual compromise due to Jeroboam's idolatry, and his actions stemmed from a twisted sense of spiritual authority or even a demonic influence. Regardless of the precise motive, his actions were a deliberate act of spiritual malice, directly contradicting God's word and leading to tragic consequences, highlighting the insidious nature of deception, even from those who appear to be spiritual leaders.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The tragic narrative of 1 Kings 13:18, with its emphasis on deception, disobedience, and the severe consequences of deviating from God's clear word, finds its ultimate fulfillment and resolution in Jesus Christ. While the man of God from Judah failed to maintain his obedience in the face of a lie, Jesus is the [Prophet par excellence](/deuteronomy/18-15 "Deuteronomy 18:15 - The Prophet like Moses") who perfectly obeyed the Father's will in every detail, even to the point of death on a cross ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience to Death")). He is the [Word made flesh](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh"), the embodiment of divine truth who never lied and always spoke the Father's perfect word ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life")). In a world full of false prophets and deceptive voices, Jesus stands as the [true Shepherd](/john/10-11 "John 10:11 - Jesus the Good Shepherd") whose voice His sheep know and follow ([John 10:27](/john/10-27 "John 10:27 - My Sheep Hear My Voice")), offering discernment and protection from spiritual lies. His perfect obedience and sacrificial death not only expose the destructive nature of sin and disobedience but also provide the path to reconciliation and eternal life for those who trust in Him, overcoming the very deception that led to the man of God's downfall.

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 John 4:1

¶ Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

Matthew 7:15

¶ Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

Numbers 22:35

And the angel of the LORD said unto Balaam, Go with the men: but only the word that I shall speak unto thee, that thou shalt speak. So Balaam went with the princes of Balak.

2 Peter 2:1

¶ But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.

Jeremiah 5:31

The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love [to have it] so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?

2 Corinthians 11:13

For such [are] false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.

2 Corinthians 11:15

Therefore [it is] no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.