1 Kings 13:8

Verse

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.

American Standard Version (1901)

And the man of God said unto the king, If thou wilt give me half thy house, I will not go in with thee, neither will I eat bread nor drink water in this place;

Bible in Basic English

But the man of God said to the king, Even if you gave me half of all you have, I would not go in with you, and I would not take food or a drink of water in this place;

Free Bible Version

But the man of God told the king, “Even if you gave me half of everything you own, I still wouldn't go with you. In fact I refuse to eat or drink anything in this place.

Geneva Bible 1599

But the man of God saide vnto the King, If thou wouldest giue me halfe thine house, I would not goe in with thee, neither woulde I eate bread nor drinke water in this place.

King James (Authorized) Version

And the man of God said unto the king, If thou wilt give me half thine house, I will not go in with thee, neither will I eat bread nor drink water in this place:

Translation for Translators

But the prophet replied, “Even if you would promise to give me half of everything that you own [MTY], I will not go with you, and I will not eat or drink anything with you here,

Unlocked Literal Bible

The man of God said to the king, “Even if you give me half your possessions, I will not go with you, nor will I eat food or drink water in this place,

Noah Webster Bible

And the man of God said to the king, If thou wilt give me half thy house, I will not go in with thee, neither will I eat bread nor drink water in this place:

World English Bible

The man of God said to the king, “Even if you gave me half of your house, I would not go in with you, neither would I eat bread nor drink water in this place;

Young's Literal Translation

And the man of God saith unto the king, 'If thou dost give to me the half of thine house, I do not go in with thee, nor do I eat bread, nor do I drink water, in this place;

Context

Jeroboam’s Hand Withers

⁷Then the king said to the man of God, “Come home with me and refresh yourself, and I will give you a reward.”⁸But 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.⁹For 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.’”

Summary

In this verse, a man of God is sent on a mission by the Lord to deliver a message to King Jeroboam. The man of God obeys the Lord's instructions not to eat or drink while in the land of Bethel. This act of obedience demonstrates the importance of following God's commands without compromise. It serves as a reminder of the need for faithfulness and discipline in carrying out God's assignments, even when faced with temptations or distractions.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

And the man of God said unto the king,.... In answer to his civility to him, to assure him it was not out of contempt to him, or ill will to him, or slight of his favour, but in obedience to the will of God: if thou wilt give half of thine house; of the riches in it, and even of his kingdom: I will not go in with thee, neither will I eat bread nor drink water in this place; this idolatrous place; the reason follows.