1 Kings 13:9

7 Then the king said to the man of God, “Come home with me and refresh yourself, and I will give you a reward.”

8 But the man of God replied, “If you were to give me half your possessions, I still would not go with you, nor would I eat bread or drink water in this place.

For this is what I was commanded by the word of the LORD: ‘You must not eat bread or drink water or return by the way you came.’”

10 So the man of God went another way and did not return by the way he had come to Bethel.

11 Now a certain old prophet was living in Bethel, and his sons came and told him all the deeds that the man of God had done that day in Bethel. They also told their father the words that the man had spoken to the king.

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
For this is what I was commanded by the word of the LORD: ‘You must not eat bread or drink water or return by the way you came.’”
KJV
For so was it charged me by the word of the LORD, saying, Eat no bread, nor drink water, nor turn again by the same way that thou camest.
WEB
for so was it commanded me by the LORD’s word, saying, ‘You shall eat no bread, drink no water, and don’t return by the way that you came.’”
ASV
for so was it charged me by the word of Jehovah, saying, Thou shalt eat no bread, nor drink water, neither return by the way that thou camest.
DARBY
for so was it charged me by the word of Jehovah, saying, Thou shalt eat no bread, nor drink water, nor return by the way that thou shalt go.
BLB
For so it was commanded me by the word of YHWH, saying, ‘You shall not eat bread, nor drink water, nor return by the same way that you came.’”
ÅB
For dette bud fikk jeg av Herren: Du skal hverken spise brød eller drikke vann[^1], og du skal ikke vende tilbake den vei du gikk.
OTB
For jeg ble instruert ved Herrens ord og sa, ‘Du skal ikke spise brød, heller ikke drikke vann, eller vende tilbake den veien du kom.’”
B1930
For dette bud fikk jeg av Herren: Du skal hverken ete brød eller drikke vann, og du skal ikke vende tilbake den vei du gikk. / < på dette sted, 1KG 13, 16. 17.>

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Job 23:12

    I have not departed from the command of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my daily bread.

    Read in context
  • Romans 16:17

    Now I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who create divisions and obstacles that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Turn away from them.

    Read in context
  • John 13:17

    If you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

    Read in context
  • John 15:9–10

    As the Father has loved Me, so have I loved you. Remain in My love.

    Read in context
  • John 15:14

    You are My friends if you do what I command you.

    Read in context
  • Deuteronomy 13:13–18

    that wicked men have arisen from among you and have led the people of their city astray, saying, “Let us go and serve other gods” (which you have not known),

    Read in context
  • 1 Kings 13:1

    Suddenly, as Jeroboam was standing beside the altar to burn incense, there came a man of God from Judah to Bethel by the word of the LORD.

    Read in context
  • 1 Samuel 15:22

    But Samuel declared: “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obedience to His voice? Behold, obedience is better than sacrifice, and attentiveness is better than the fat of rams.

    Read in context