And he said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Because thou hast let go out of [thy] hand a man whom I appointed to utter destruction, therefore thy life shall go for his life, and thy people for his people.
Ver. 42. A man whom I had appointed to utter destruction.] Heb., A man of mine accursing; such as was the king of Jericho, and his people, and afterwards Agag king of Amalek. 1Sa 15:33 He had vilified and blasphemed the God of Israel, 1Ki 20:28 and was therefore devoted to destruction. So was Julian the apostate, Chosroes king of Persia, Lucian the athiest, devoured by dogs, &c.
Therefore thy life shall go for his life.] Let princes and judges take heed by Ahab's example, how they save the lives of such as by God's law ought to die, of blasphemers especially. Ambrose, closing up the story of Ahab and Jezebel's fearful end, saith, Fuge ergo, dives, eiusmodi exitum, &c. Shun Ahab's sin, as thou desirest to shun Ahab's end.