1 Kings 20:39

37 Then he found another man, and said, Smite me, I pray thee. And the man smote him, so that in smiting he wounded him.

38 So the prophet departed, and waited for the king by the way, and disguised himself with ashes upon his face.

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.

40 And as thy servant was busy here and there, he was gone. And the king of Israel said unto him, So shall thy judgment be; thyself hast decided it.

41 And he hasted, and took the ashes away from his face; and the king of Israel discerned him that he was 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 when they went in to offer sacrifices and burnt offerings, Jehu appointed fourscore men without, and said, If any of the men whom I have brought into your hands escape, he that letteth him go, his life shall be for the life of him.

    Read in context
  • Proverbs 13:8

    The ransom of a man’s life are his riches: but the poor heareth not rebuke.

    Read in context
  • 1 Peter 1:18–19

    Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;

    Read in context
  • Job 36:18

    Because there is wrath, beware lest he take thee away with his stroke: then a great ransom cannot deliver thee.

    Read in context
  • Proverbs 6:35

    He will not regard any ransom; neither will he rest content, though thou givest many gifts.

    Read in context
  • Exodus 21:30

    If there be laid on him a sum of money, then he shall give for the ransom of his life whatsoever is laid upon him.

    Read in context
  • Judges 9:7–20

    And when they told it to Jotham, he went and stood in the top of mount Gerizim, and lifted up his voice, and cried, and said unto them, Hearken unto me, ye men of Shechem, that God may hearken unto you.

    Read in context
  • 2 Samuel 14:5–7

    And the king said unto her, What aileth thee? And she answered, I am indeed a widow woman, and mine husband is dead.

    Read in context