The disguised appeal

38So the prophet went and stood by the road to wait for the king, disguising himself with a bandage over his eyes.

39As the king was passing by, the prophet cried out to him and said, “Your servant went into the thick of the battle. A man came over and brought me a prisoner, saying, ‘Guard this man. If he goes missing, your life will be forfeited in place of his, or you must weigh out a talent of silver.’

40But while your servant was busy here and there, the man was gone.” The king of Israel said to him, “That will be your sentence; you yourself have decided it.”