1 Kings 13:16

16 "Sorry, I can't do that," the holy man said. "I can neither go back with you nor eat with you in this country.

1 Kings 13:16 Meaning and Commentary

1 Kings 13:16

And he said, I may not return with thee, nor go in with thee,
&c.] Into the city, and into his house in it, being such an idolatrous place, and especially being forbidden of God:

neither will I eat bread nor drink water with thee in this place;
he was resolute and determined to abide by the commandment of the Lord, though there is reason to believe that he was now both hungry and thirsty.

1 Kings 13:16 In-Context

14 and rode after the holy man. He found him sitting under an oak tree. He asked him, "Are you the holy man who came from Judah?" "Yes, I am," he said.
15 "Well, come home with me and have a meal."
16 "Sorry, I can't do that," the holy man said. "I can neither go back with you nor eat with you in this country.
17 I'm under strict orders from God: 'Don't eat a crumb; don't drink a drop; and don't come back the way you came.'"
18 But he said, "I am also a prophet, just like you. And an angel came to me with a message from God: 'Bring him home with you, and give him a good meal!'" But the man was lying.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.