1 Kings 20:40

40 Your servant got busy doing this and that, and the prisoner disappeared." Israel's king replied, "It appears you have decided your own fate."

1 Kings 20:40 Meaning and Commentary

1 Kings 20:40

And as thy servant was busy here and there, he was gone
Employed in one thing or another relative to the battle, his prisoner committed to his care made his escape:

and the king of Israel said unto him, so shall thy judgment be, thyself
hast decided it;
the sentence was plain and open against him, that either he must die or pay the money, for he himself had agreed to it.

1 Kings 20:40 In-Context

38 The prophet went and stood before the king by the road. He disguised himself by putting a bandage over his eyes.

39 When the king passed by, the prophet called out to the king, "Your servant was in the middle of the battle when someone brought a prisoner. ‘Guard this man,' he said. ‘If he escapes it will be your life for his—that, or you will owe me a kikkar of silver.'

40 Your servant got busy doing this and that, and the prisoner disappeared." Israel's king replied, "It appears you have decided your own fate."

41 The prophet quickly tore the bandage from over his eyes, and Israel's king recognized him as one of the prophets.

42 Then the prophet said to the king, "This is what the LORD says: Because you freed a man I condemned to die, it will be your life for his life, and your people for his people."