1 Kings 20:35

A prophetic message rebuking Ahab because he had let Ben-hadad go (Not in Chronicles)

35. a certain man of the sons of the prophets It is clear from what follows in the history (2 Kings 2) about the taking of Elijah into heaven, that in spite of Jezebel's persecution, the prophets and their schools were not put down, but still flourished in various places. Josephus represents this -son of the prophets" as Micaiah, spoken of in 1 Kings 22:8, and says that it was in consequence of this message about Ben-hadad's deliverance that Ahab put him in prison. (Ant.viii. 14. 5.)

said unto his neighbour in[R.V. fellow by] the word of the Lord The man to whom he made the request was probably one who like himself dwelt in one of the prophetic societies, and he ought therefore to have understood that there was some purpose in his companion's request. Hence his sin in refusing to comply with it. -Fellow" gives the idea of men of the same guild better than -neighbour". The expression -by the word of the Lord" is found in a similar passage (1 Kings 13:17), and is the more usual form.

Smite me He wished to personate a man who had been engaged in the battle and had suffered something from the enemy.

the man refused Such a refusal was utterly at variance with the character of a prophet, who was to be prepared to obey at all costs a message which came as the word of the Lord. His companion puts the case very strongly in the next verse when he calls his own request -the voice of the Lord".