Objects, adverbials, prepositional phrases and purpose expressions all qualify a verbal event, but answer different questions: whom, when, where and why.
Their grammatical roles must be identified before determining the rhetorical gain. The fact that a dependent stands first does not settle the direction or presence of exclusivity.
Fronted dependentWhat is highlightedPossible purpose
زَيْدًا ضَرَبْتُDirect objectIdentify the person
فِي الْمَسْجِدِ صَلَّيْتُPlaceCorrect or focus location
يَوْمَ الْجُمُعَةِ سِرْتُTimeEmphasize when
تَأْدِيبًا ضَرَبْتُهُPurposeIdentify the reason