Since this verse states what the prophet from Judah did as a result of the old prophet’s lie, both Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation translate the common Hebrew conjunction at the beginning of this verse as So.

He went back with him is a literal rendering. For clarity Good News Translation supplies the words “the prophet from Judah” as the subject of the verb went back. By returning to Bethel, the prophet was disobeying God’s orders.

Rather than repeat the words ate bread and drank water, which occur also in verses 8-9, 15-18, and 22-23, Good News Translation says simply “had a meal.”

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Kings, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2008. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .