35
And a certainman of the sons of the prophetssaid unto his neighbour in the word of the LORD,Smite me, I pray thee. And the manrefused to smite him.
36
Then said he unto him, Because thou hast not obeyed the voice of the LORD, behold, as soon as thou art departed from me, a lion shall slay thee. And as soon as he was departed from him, a lionfound him, and slew him.
37
Then he foundanotherman, and said, Smite me, I pray thee. And the mansmote him, so that in smiting he wounded him.
38
So the prophetdeparted, and waited for the king by the way, and disguised himself with ashes upon his face.
39
And as the king passed by, he cried unto the king: and he said, Thy servant went out into the midst of the battle; and, behold, a man turned aside, and brought a man unto me, and said, Keep this man: if by any means he be missing, then shall thy life be for his life, or else thou shalt pay[a] a talent of silver.
40
And as thy servant was busy here and there, he was gone. And the king of Israelsaid unto him, So shall thy judgment be; thyself hast decided it.
41
And he hasted, and took the ashesaway from his face; and the king of Israeldiscerned him that he was of the prophets.
42
And he said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Because thou hast let go out of thy hand a man whom I appointed to utter destruction, therefore thy life shall go for his life, and thy people for his people.
43
And the king of Israelwent to his househeavy and displeased, and came to Samaria.