1 Kings 13:11

“Now there dwelt an old prophet in Bethel, etc.] The Targum is, a false prophet, so Josephus f326; it is hard to say what he was, a good man or a bad man; if a good man, he was guilty of many things which are not in his favour, as dwelling in such an idolatrous place suffering his sons to attend idolatrous worship, and telling the man of God a premeditated lie; and yet there are several things which seem contrary to his being a bad man, and of an ill character, since he is called an old prophet, did not attend idolatrous worship, showed great respect to the man of God, had the word of God sent unto him concerning him, believed that what he had prophesied should come to pass, buried the man of…”

“Now there dwelt an old prophet in Beth-el--If this were a true prophet, he was a bad man.”

“The truly pious Israelites quitted their homes when Jeroboam made his religious changes, and, proceeding to Jerusalem, strengthened the kingdom of Rehoboam 2 Chronicles 10:16-17. This “old prophet” therefore, who, without being infirm in any way, had remained under Jeroboam, and was even content to dwell at Bethel - the chief seat of the new worship - was devoid of any deep and earnest religious feeling. return to 'Top of Page'”

“A prophet - One to whom, and by whom God did sometimes impart his mind; as it is manifest from Kg1 13:20-21, and one that had a respect to the Lord's holy prophets, and gave credit to their predictions: but whether he was a good man, may be doubted, seeing we find him in a downright lie, Kg1 13:18. And altho' an holy prophet may possibly have continued in the kingdom of Israel, he would never have gone from his own habitation, to dwell at Beth - el, the chief seat of idolatry, unless with design to preach against it: which it is evident he did not; his sons seem to have been present at, and, and to have joined with others in that idolatrous worship. 3 Kings (1 Kings) 13:21”

“13:11-19 Whatever the old prophet’s motives were for seeking out the man of God, he clearly lied about receiving God’s message through an angel. The man of God knew that what the old prophet asked was contrary to the Lord’s instructions (13:8-10, 16-17; cp. Gal 1:8).”

“an old prophet: Kg1 13:20, Kg1 13:21; Num 23:4, Num 23:5, Num 24:2; Sa1 10:11; Kg2 23:18; Eze 13:2, Eze 13:16; Mat 7:22; Pe2 2:16 sons: Heb. son came: Ti1 3:5 3 Kings (1 Kings) 13:13”

“Seduction of the man of God by an old prophet, and his consequent punishment. - Kg1 13:11-19. The man of God had resisted the invitations of Jeroboam, and set out by a different road to return to Judah. An old prophet at Bethel heard from his sons what had taken place (the singular בנו יבוא as compared with the plural ויספּרוּם may be explained on the supposition that first of all one son related the matter to his father, and that then the other sons supported the account given by the first); had his ass saddled; hurried after him, and found him sitting under the terebinth (the tree well known from that event); invited him to come into his house and eat with him; and when the latter appealed…”