1 Kings 20:37-43

37 Then the disciple found another man. He said, "Punch me." The man punched him hard and wounded him.

38 Then the prophet, disguised with a bandage over his eyes, waited for the king by the road.

39 When the king passed by, the disciple called to him. "I went to fight in the battle. A man turned around and brought a prisoner to me. He said, 'Guard this prisoner. If he gets away, you will pay for his life with your own life or be fined 75 pounds of silver.'

40 But while I was busy doing other things, he got away." The king of Israel told him, "That's your own penalty. You have determined it yourself."

41 Then he quickly took the bandage off his eyes. The king of Israel recognized him as one of the prophets.

42 The prophet told him, "This is what the LORD says: You let the man go. He was claimed by God and should have been killed. For that reason your life will be taken in place of his life and your people in place of his people."

43 Resentful and upset, the king of Israel went home to Samaria.

1 Kings 20:37-43 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO 1 KINGS 20

This chapter relates the siege of Samaria by the king of Syria, and his insolent demand of Ahab's wives, children, and riches, 1Ki 20:1-12, the sally made out upon him, at the direction of the prophet, and the route made of the Syrian army, 1Ki 20:13-21, the return of the Syrian army the next year, when there was a pitched battle between them and Israel, in which the former were entirely defeated, 1Ki 20:22-30, the peace Ahab made with the king of Syria, 1Ki 20:31-34, and the reproof one of the sons of the prophets gave him for it, which made him very uneasy, 1Ki 20:35-43.