Bible Dictionary
OLD PROPHET, THE
The old prophet of Bethel misled a man of God from Judah by falsely claiming a divine command. The narrative emphasizes that God judges disobedience, even in one who has received a genuine prophetic commission.
Biblical Usage
The account emphasizes that God punishes disobedience even in a man who has received a genuine command. It also shows that the old prophet, despite his falsehood, later declared a divine message concerning the consequence of disobedience.