1 Kings 20:35 - Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible

Bible Comments

Unto his neighbour, or brother; another son of the prophets. In the word of the Lord; in the name and by the command of God, whereof doubtless he had informed him. Smite me, so as to wound me, 1 Kings 20:37. He speaks what God commanded him, though it was to his own hurt; by which obedience to God he secretly reproacheth Ahab's disobedience in a far easier matter. And this the prophet by God's appointment desires, that looking like a wounded soldier, he might have the more free access to the king, and discourse with him; which it was very hard for a prophet to obtain, that sort of men being hateful to Ahab, 1 Kings 22:8, and to his courtiers. The man refused to smite him; not out of contempt of God's command, but most probably in tenderness and compassion to his brother.

1 Kings 20:35

35 And a certain man of the sons of the prophets said unto his neighbour in the word of the LORD, Smite me, I pray thee. And the man refused to smite him.