Verse-by-Verse Bible Commentary

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

So he went another way, and returned not by the way that he came to Bethel. Neither ate nor drank with the king, though that is not expressed; nor did he go back the same way he came; but in each particular observed the divine command, and was obedient to it.

John Trapp Complete Commentary

1 Kings 13:10 So he went another way, and returned not by the way that he came to Bethel.

Ver. 10. So he went another way.] This was well done, though afterwards he failed and flinched; as did likewise Gropperus; who first refused a cardinal’s hat, and yet afterwards was a turncoat. So did Speiserus at Augsburg, in Germany, A.D. 1523, and Brissomettus at Meldas, in France, about the same time. Non praestitit constantiam, et ab incepto destitit, saith mine author, he stuck not to his principles. (a)

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary

Bethel, which was defiled, 1 Kings xxi. 5. God would thus caution us to keep at the greatest distance (Tirinus) possible from evil company, (Haydock) and from whatever may lead to sin. (Menochius) --- Besides the literal sense, Sanchez believes that the prophet was thus admonished to comply exactly with his injunctions, and to leave nothing unfinished; as God says, by the way that he came, he shall return, (Isaias xxxvii. 34.) to denote that Sennacherib's attempts should be frustrated. (Calmet)