1 Kings 20:39

37 Then the prophet found another man and said, “Strike me, please!” So the man struck him and wounded him,

38 and the prophet went and waited on the road for the king, disguising himself with a bandage over his eyes.

As the king passed by, he cried out to the king: “Your servant had marched out into the middle of the battle, when suddenly a man came over with a captive and told me, ‘Guard this man! If he goes missing for any reason, your life will be exchanged for his life, or you will weigh out a talent of silver.’

40 But while your servant was busy here and there, the man disappeared.” And the king of Israel said to him, “So shall your judgment be; you have pronounced it on yourself.”

41 Then the prophet quickly removed the bandage from his eyes, and the king of Israel recognized him as one of the prophets.

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
As the king passed by, he cried out to the king: “Your servant had marched out into the middle of the battle, when suddenly a man came over with a captive and told me, ‘Guard this man! If he goes missing for any reason, your life will be exchanged for his life, or you will weigh out a talent of silver.’
KJV
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 talent of silver.
WEB
As the king passed by, he cried to the king, and he said, “Your servant went out into the middle of the battle; and behold, a man came over and brought a man to me, and said, ‘Guard this man! If by any means he is missing, then your life shall be for his life, or else you shall pay a talent of silver.’
ASV
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 talent of silver.
DARBY
And as the king passed by, he cried to the king and said, Thy servant went out into the midst of the battle; and behold, a man turned aside, and brought a man to me and said, Keep this man; if by any means he be missing, then shall thy life be for his life, or thou shalt pay a talent of silver.
BLB
And it came to pass, as the king was passing by, that he cried out to the king and said, “Your servant went out into the midst of the battle, and there a man came over and brought to me a man, and he said, ‘Guard this man. If he goes missing for any reason, then your life will be in place of his life, or else a talent of silver you must weigh out.’
ÅB
Da nå kongen kom forbi, ropte han til kongen: Din tjener hadde draget ut og var med i striden; men i det samme kom det en mann fram som førte en annen mann til meg og sa: Ta vare på denne mann! Blir han borte, skal ditt liv trede i stedet for hans liv, eller også skal du betale meg en talent sølv.
OTB
Da kongen passerte, ropte han til ham, "Din tjener gikk inn i midten av slaget, og noen vendte seg bort og brakte en mann til meg og sa, 'Vokt denne mannen; hvis han mangler, vil det være ditt liv for hans liv, ellers skal du betale en talent sølv.'
B1930
Da nu kongen kom forbi, ropte han til kongen: Din tjener hadde draget ut og var med i striden; men i det samme kom det en mann frem som førte en annen mann til mig og sa: Ta vare på denne mann! Blir han borte, skal ditt liv trede i stedet for hans liv, eller også skal du betale mig en talent sølv.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • 2 Kings 10:24

    And they went in to offer sacrifices and burnt offerings. Now Jehu had stationed eighty men outside and warned them, “If anyone allows one of the men I am delivering into your hands to escape, he will forfeit his life for theirs.”

    Read in context
  • Proverbs 13:8

    Riches may ransom a man’s life, but a poor man hears no threat.

    Read in context
  • 1 Peter 1:18–19

    For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life you inherited from your forefathers,

    Read in context
  • Job 36:18

    Be careful that no one lures you with riches; do not let a large bribe lead you astray.

    Read in context
  • Proverbs 6:35

    He will not be appeased by any ransom, or persuaded by lavish gifts.

    Read in context
  • Exodus 21:30

    If payment is demanded of him instead, he may redeem his life by paying the full amount demanded of him.

    Read in context
  • Judges 9:7–20

    When this was reported to Jotham, he climbed to the top of Mount Gerizim, raised his voice, and cried out: “Listen to me, O leaders of Shechem, and may God listen to you.

    Read in context
  • 2 Samuel 14:5–7

    “What troubles you?” the king asked her. “Indeed,” she said, “I am a widow, for my husband is dead.

    Read in context