1 Kings 20:39-42

1 KINGS—NOTE ON 1 Kings 20:39 Your servant went out into the midst of the battle. In circumstances similar to 2 Samuel 12:1, the prophet tricks the king into pronouncing judgment on himself. Disguising himself as a soldier, the prophet tells a story implying that, because he failed in his guard duties, he is liable to pay a fine of a talent of silver (an impossible amount for an ordinary soldier to raise) or suffer death. Ahab agrees that the death sentence is just. Thus he provides the prophet with the opportunity to condemn Ahab because the king has released an enemy king whom God had devoted to destruction (compare 1 Samuel 15:17). For “devoted to destruction,” see note on Deut. 20:16–18.