The false prophet of Bethel took the opportunity to set before the man of God his poisonous invitation. It is profitable to compare the present invitation to the king’s that the man of God refused in no uncertain terms. The king promised a meal that he was also to partake in, so we may regard it as a meal fit for royalty. The old prophet invites the man of God to a meal suitable for common people in Israel.1 Jeroboam promised the man of God a present, but the prophet of Bethel made no such promise. If the man of God refused the king’s lavish offers, he had more reason to refuse the moderate promise of the false prophet.
The man of God initially refused the invitation in nearly the same manner2 as he had replied to Jeroboam. His reasoning was the same. God had given him express instructions, and accepting the invitation would cause him to violate God’s commands, so he could not accept.
15 Then he said to him, “Come home with me and eat bread.”