1 Then Moab rebelled against Israel after the death of Ahab.
2 And Ahaziah fell down through a lattice in his upper chamber that [was] in Samaria, and was sick: and he sent messengers, and said unto them, Go, inquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekron whether I shall recover of this disease.
3 But the angel of the LORD said to Elijah the Tishbite, Arise, go up to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria, and say unto them, [Is it] not because [there is] not a God in Israel, [that] ye go to inquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekron?
4 Now therefore thus saith the LORD, Thou shalt not come down from that bed on which thou art gone up, but shalt surely die. And Elijah departed.
5 And when the messengers turned back unto him, he said unto them, Why are ye now turned back?
6 And they said unto him, There came a man up to meet us, and said unto us, Go, turn again unto the king that sent you, and say unto him, Thus saith the LORD, [Is it] not because [there is] not a God in Israel, [that] thou sendest to inquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekron? therefore thou shalt not come down from that bed on which thou art gone up, but shalt surely die.
7 And he said unto them, What manner of man [was he] which came up to meet you, and told you these words?
8 And they answered him, [He was] an hairy man, and girt with a girdle of leather about his loins. And he said, It [is] Elijah the Tishbite.
9 Then the king sent unto him a captain of fifty with his fifty. And he went up to him: and, behold, he sat on the top of an hill. And he spake unto him, Thou man of God, the king hath said, Come down.
10 And Elijah answered and said to the captain of fifty, If I [be] a man of God, then let fire come down from heaven, and consume thee and thy fifty. And there came down fire from heaven, and consumed him and his fifty.
11 Again also he sent unto him another captain of fifty with his fifty. And he answered and said unto him, O man of God, thus hath the king said, Come down quickly.
12 And Elijah answered and said unto them, If I [be] a man of God, let fire come down from heaven, and consume thee and thy fifty. And the fire of God came down from heaven, and consumed him and his fifty.
13 And he sent again a captain of the third fifty with his fifty. And the third captain of fifty went up, and came and fell on his knees before Elijah, and besought him, and said unto him, O man of God, I pray thee, let my life, and the life of these fifty thy servants, be precious in thy sight.
14 Behold, there came fire down from heaven, and burnt up the two captains of the former fifties with their fifties: therefore let my life now be precious in thy sight.
15 And the angel of the LORD said unto Elijah, Go down with him: be not afraid of him. And he arose, and went down with him unto the king.
16 And he said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Forasmuch as thou hast sent messengers to inquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekron, [is it] not because [there is] no God in Israel to inquire of his word? therefore thou shalt not come down off that bed on which thou art gone up, but shalt surely die.
17 So he died according to the word of the LORD which Elijah had spoken. And Jehoram reigned in his stead in the second year of Jehoram the son of Jehoshaphat king of Judah; because he had no son.
18 Now the rest of the acts of Ahaziah which he did, [are] they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?
Summary of 2 Kings Chapter 1
2 Kings Chapter 1 narrates the events following the death of King Ahab of Israel. The chapter primarily focuses on the reign of Ahaziah, Ahab’s son, and his encounter with the prophet Elijah. It highlights themes of idolatry, divine judgment, and the authority of God’s prophets.
Key Characters
- Ahaziah: King of Israel, son of Ahab and Jezebel.
- Elijah: The prophet of the Lord, known for his confrontation with the worshippers of Baal.
- Messengers: The officials sent by Ahaziah to consult Baal-Zebub.
- Captain of Fifty: A military leader who confronts Elijah.
Plot Overview
- Ahaziah’s Injury and Inquiry:
After falling through a lattice in his upper chamber, Ahaziah is gravely injured. He sends messengers to inquire of Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron, whether he will recover from his injuries.
- Elijah’s Intervention:
The angel of the Lord instructs Elijah to intercept the messengers. Elijah delivers a message of judgment, stating that Ahaziah will not recover because he has sought counsel from a false god instead of the Lord.
- Confrontation with Ahaziah:
Upon learning of Elijah’s message, Ahaziah sends a captain and fifty men to confront the prophet. Elijah calls down fire from heaven, consuming them.
- Second Confrontation:
Ahaziah sends another captain with fifty men, who also meets the same fate when he confronts Elijah.
- Final Appeal:
A third captain approaches Elijah with humility and respect, pleading for mercy. Elijah is then instructed by the Lord to go with him to deliver a message to Ahaziah.
- Judgment Pronounced:
Elijah delivers the message of judgment to Ahaziah, confirming that he will die because of his unfaithfulness to God.
Thematic Analysis
- Idolatry and Divine Judgment:
The chapter illustrates the consequences of turning away from God to seek guidance from false gods. Ahaziah’s reliance on Baal-Zebub symbolizes the spiritual decline of Israel.
- The Authority of Prophets:
Elijah’s role as a prophet emphasizes the importance of divine authority. His ability to call down fire from heaven demonstrates God’s power and the seriousness of His messages.
- Humility and Respect:
The contrasting attitudes of the captains highlight the importance of humility. The third captain’s respectful approach leads to a different outcome, showcasing the value of approaching God and His messengers with reverence.
Conclusion
2 Kings Chapter 1 serves as a critical reminder of the dangers of idolatry and the importance of seeking the true God. Through the narrative of Ahaziah and Elijah, the chapter reinforces the authority of God’s prophets and the consequences of turning away from divine guidance.
