1 Kings 13:12

Verse

“Which way did he go?” their father asked. And his sons showed him the way taken by the man of God, who had come from Judah.

American Standard Version (1901)

And their father said unto them, What way went he? Now his sons had seen what way the man of God went, that came from Judah.

Bible in Basic English

Then their father said to them, Which way did he go? Now his sons had seen which way the man of God who came from Judah had gone.

Free Bible Version

“Which way did he go?” their father asked them. So his sons showed him the way taken by the man of God from Judah.

Geneva Bible 1599

And their father sayde vnto them, What way went he? and his sonnes shewed him what waye the man of God went, which came from Iudah.

King James (Authorized) Version

And their father said unto them, What way went he? For his sons had seen what way the man of God went, which came from Judah.

Translation for Translators

Their father said, “On which road did he go?” So his sons showed him the road on which the prophet from Judah had gone when he left Bethel.

Unlocked Literal Bible

Their father said to them, “Which way did he go?” Now his sons had seen the way the man of God from Judah had gone.

Noah Webster Bible

And their father said to them, What way went he? for his sons had seen what way the man of God went, who came from Judah.

World English Bible

Their father said to them, “Which way did he go?” Now his sons had seen which way the man of God went, who came from Judah.

Young's Literal Translation

And their father saith unto them, 'Where [is] this — the way he hath gone?' and his sons see the way that the man of God hath gone who came from Judah.

Context

The Old Prophet and the Man of God

¹¹Now 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. ¹²“Which way did he go?” their father asked. And his sons showed him the way taken by the man of God, who had come from Judah. ¹³So the prophet said to his sons, “Saddle the donkey for me.” Then they saddled the donkey for him, and he mounted it

Summary

In this verse, an old prophet deceives a young prophet who was sent by God with a specific message. The old prophet convinces the young prophet to disobey God's command and eat with him, leading to tragic consequences. This account serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of listening to false prophets and straying from God's instructions. It underscores the importance of discernment and obedience to God's word, even when faced with persuasive influences.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

And he said unto his sons, saddle me the ass,.... Which he used to ride on; intimating he had a mind to ride after him, and overtake him, as he might reasonably think he might, since the man of God was on foot: so they saddled him the ass, and he rode thereon; after the man of God, taking the way his sons directed.