1 Kings 20:35
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. 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.
1 Kings 20:35 stands within the history of the kingdoms of Judah and Israel recorded in 1 Kings 12–22, covering about eighty years from the division of the tribes to the death of Jehoshaphat. The surrounding narrative in 1 Kings 20:35-43 presents a solemn warning that failure in a duty entrusted by God brings serious consequences. The guard set over the prisoner allowed himself to become occupied with other matters, and while his attention was diverted the prisoner escaped. His own explanation that he had been busy here and there when the man disappeared points to distraction and misplaced attention as the reasons assigned work is neglected.