1 Kings 20:39

“And as the king passed by, he cried unto the king, etc.] With a loud voice, signifying he had something to say unto him, at which he stopped: and he said, thy servant went out into the midst of the battle; this was not real, but fictitious, an apologue, fable, or parable, by which he would represent to Ahab his own case, and bring him under conviction of his folly, just as Nathan dealt with David: and, behold, a man turned aside; a superior officer in the army: and brought a man unto me; he had made a prisoner of: and said, keep this man; do not let him escape: if by any means he be missing, then shall thy life be for his life, or else thou shalt pay a talent of silver; if he let him go…”

“a talent of silver--£342. Next: 1 Kings Chapter 21”

“He said - This relation is a parable; an usual way of instruction in the eastern parts, and most fit for this occasion wherein an obscure prophet was to speak to a great king; impatient of a down - right reproof, and exceeding partial in his own cause. A man - My commander as the manner of expression sheweth. 3 Kings (1 Kings) 20:40”

“Thy servant: Jdg 9:7-20; Sa2 12:1-7, Sa2 14:5-7; Mar 12:1-12 thy life: Kg1 20:42; Kg2 10:24 or else: Exo 21:30; Job 36:18; Psa 49:7; Pro 6:35, Pro 13:8; Pe1 1:18, Pe1 1:19 pay: Heb. weigh 3 Kings (1 Kings) 20:40”

“When the king passed by, he cried out to him and related the following fictitious tale: He had gone to the war, and a man had come aside to him (סוּר as in Exo 3:3; Jdg 14:8, etc.), and had given a man (a prisoner) into his care with this command, that he was to watch him, and if he should be missing he was to answer for his life with his own life, or to pay a talent of silver (as a punishment). The rest may be easily imagined, namely the request to be saved from this punishment. Ahab answered ( Kg1 20:40), משׁפּטך כּן, "thus thy sentence, thou hast decided," i.e., thou hast pronounced thine own sentence, and must endure the punishment stated. 3 Kings (1 Kings) 20:41”