2 Kings 1

King James Version

Full text for 2 Kings Chapter 1

1¶ Then Moab rebelled against Israel after the death of Ahab.

2And 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, enquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekron whether I shall recover of this disease.

3But 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 enquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekron?

4Now 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.

5And when the messengers turned back unto him, he said unto them, Why are ye now turned back?

6And 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 enquire 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.

7And he said unto them, What manner of man [was he] which came up to meet you, and told you these words?

8And 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.

10And 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.

11Again 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.

12And 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.

13And 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.

14Behold, 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.

15And 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.

16And he said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Forasmuch as thou hast sent messengers to enquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekron, [is it] not because [there is] no God in Israel to enquire of his word? therefore thou shalt not come down off that bed on which thou art gone up, but shalt surely die.

17So 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.

18Now 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?

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

King Ahaziah of Israel falls ill and sends messengers to inquire of Baalzebub, the god of Ekron. The prophet Elijah intercepts them, declaring Ahaziah's death for seeking a foreign deity instead of the LORD. When Ahaziah attempts to seize Elijah, divine fire consumes two groups of soldiers, demonstrating God's power and confirming the prophecy. Ahaziah subsequently dies according to Elijah's word.

Medium Summary

Following Ahab's death, King Ahaziah of Israel suffers a fall and becomes gravely ill. Disregarding the God of Israel, he dispatches messengers to Ekron to consult Baalzebub concerning his recovery. The Angel of the LORD directs the prophet Elijah to confront these messengers, delivering a divine pronouncement that Ahaziah will surely die for his idolatry. Upon hearing Elijah's message, Ahaziah attempts to apprehend the prophet, sending two successive captains with fifty men each. In response to their insolence, Elijah calls down fire from heaven, consuming both captains and their companies. A third captain approaches humbly, pleading for mercy, and the Angel of the LORD permits Elijah to accompany him to the king. Elijah then personally reiterates the LORD's judgment to Ahaziah, confirming his impending death due to his unfaithfulness. Ahaziah dies as prophesied, and his brother Jehoram succeeds him.

Long Summary

The chapter opens with Moab's rebellion against Israel after King Ahab's demise. His son, King Ahaziah, then suffers a severe fall in Samaria, leading to a critical illness. Instead of seeking the LORD, Ahaziah sends messengers to Ekron to inquire of Baalzebub, a Philistine deity, regarding his recovery. The Angel of the LORD intervenes, instructing Elijah the Tishbite to intercept these messengers. Elijah confronts them, posing the rhetorical question of whether there is no God in Israel, thus necessitating inquiry of Baalzebub. He then delivers the LORD's decree: Ahaziah will not recover but will surely die on his bed. The messengers return and relay Elijah's stark prophecy to the king, who recognizes Elijah by their description of his appearance. Incensed, Ahaziah dispatches a captain with fifty men to seize Elijah, who is seated on a hill. Elijah responds by calling down fire from heaven, which consumes the captain and his entire company. Undeterred, Ahaziah sends a second captain with fifty men, who similarly demands Elijah's descent. Again, divine fire descends, consuming this second group. A third captain, however, approaches Elijah with profound humility, kneeling and pleading for his life and the lives of his men, acknowledging the previous divine judgments. The Angel of the LORD then instructs Elijah to go down with this humble captain without fear. Elijah proceeds to the king and reiterates the LORD's judgment directly: because Ahaziah sought Baalzebub instead of the God of Israel, he would surely die. Consequently, King Ahaziah dies according to the word spoken by Elijah. As Ahaziah had no son, his brother Jehoram succeeds him on the throne of Israel.

Core Concepts

  • Idolatry and Divine JudgmentKing Ahaziah's act of seeking counsel from Baalzebub, a foreign god, instead of the LORD, is met with immediate divine condemnation and a prophecy of his death. This highlights the severity of turning away from the God of Israel.
  • Prophetic AuthorityElijah acts as the direct mouthpiece of the LORD, delivering divine messages and executing judgments. His authority is demonstrated through the accurate fulfillment of his prophecies and the miraculous calling down of fire.
  • Divine Power and RetributionThe repeated descent of fire from heaven upon the insolent captains and their soldiers vividly illustrates God's overwhelming power and His swift retribution against those who defy His prophet and His sovereignty.
  • Humility vs. ArroganceThe stark contrast between the first two captains, who arrogantly demand Elijah's compliance, and the third captain, who humbly pleads for mercy, determines their respective fates. Humility is shown to be a prerequisite for divine favor or preservation.
  • Sovereignty of GodThe narrative consistently emphasizes that the LORD is the ultimate authority, capable of determining life and death, and that His word, delivered through His prophet, cannot be gainsaid or avoided.
  • Succession of KingsThe chapter notes the death of Ahaziah and the succession of his brother Jehoram due to Ahaziah having no son, providing a historical marker within the Israelite monarchy.