King James Version
2 Kings 1
18 verses with commentary
Elijah and the Messengers of Ahaziah
Then Moab rebelled against Israel after the death of Ahab.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Then Moab rebelled against Israel after the death of Ahab.</strong> This opening verse sets the geopolitical context for the narrative that follows. The Hebrew word <em>pasha</em> (פָּשַׁע, 'rebelled') signifies covenant breaking and willful rebellion against legitimate authority. Moab had been subjugated under King David (2 Samuel 8:2) and remained tributary to Israel through Ahab's reign...
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1.THE REIGN OF AHAZIAH CONTINUED.
EPISODE CONCERNING ELIJAH.
(1) **Then.**—And.
**Moab rebelled against Israel.**—David reduced Moab to vassalage (2Samuel 8:2; comp. 2Kings 23:20). After that event, Scripture is silent as to the fortunes of Moab. It probably took occasion of the troubles which ensued upon the death of Solomon, to throw off the yoke of Israel. The famous Moabite stone suplements th...
Read full commentary →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, enquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekron whether I shall recover of this disease.
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<strong>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, enquire of Baal-zebub the god of Ekron whether I shall recover of this disease.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 1: Divine judgment on apostasy and affirmation of prophetic authority. The prophetic ministry ser...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(2) **Through a lattice.**—Rather, the *lattice*, i.e., the latticed window of the chamber on the palace roof, looking into the court below. The word rendered “through” (*bĕ‘ad*) implies that Ahaziah was leaning out over the window-sill. (Comp. 2Kings 9:30; Psalm 14:2.) He perhaps fell into a gallery underneath, as the palace would be several storeys high, and he was not killed by his fall. The wo...
Read full commentary →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 enquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekron?
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>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 enquire of Baal-zebub the god of Ekron?</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 1: Divine judgment on apostasy and affirmation of prophetic authority. The divine nam...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(3) **But the angel . . . said.**—Rather, *Now the angel . . . had said.* “*The angel*” is right. (Comp. 2Kings 19:35.) Reuss strangely renders: “Mais une révélation de l’Eternel parla;” and adds the note, “Et non pas un ange” (!).
**Arise, go up.**—Samaria lay on a hill, and the prophet was to meet the messengers at the gates.
**King of Samaria.**—Not Israel, a mark of Judæan feeling.
**And say.*...
Read full commentary →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. Thou shalt: Heb. The bed whither thou art gone up, thou shalt not come down from it
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>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.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 1: Divine judgment on apostasy and affirmation of prophetic authority. The divine name emphasizes Yahweh's covenant relationship with Israel and His sovereign control over histo...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(4) **Now therefore**.—For this act of faithlessness, and to prove by the event that there is a God in Israel, whose oracle is unerring. (Comp. 1Kings 18:24, seq.)
**Thus saith.**—Or,* hath said.* After these words the prophetic announcement comes in rather abruptly. Perhaps the verse has been abridged by the compiler, and in the original account from which he drew, the words of 2Kings 1:6 may hav...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
CHAPTER 14
1Ki 14:1-20. Ahijah Denounces God's Judgments against Jeroboam.
**1. At that time--**a phrase used often loosely and indefinitely in sacred history. This domestic incident in the family of Jeroboam probably occurred towards the end of his reign; his son Abijah was of age and considered by the people the heir to the throne.
And when the messengers turned back unto him, he said unto them, Why are ye now turned back?
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<strong>And when the messengers turned back unto him, he said unto them, Why are ye now turned back?</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 1: Divine judgment on apostasy and affirmation of prophetic authority. The prophetic ministry served as God's primary means of covenant enforcement, calling both kings and people to faithfulness. During this period, Israel and J...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(5) **Turned back unto him.**—Unto Ahaziah, as the Syriac and Vulgate actually read. Literally, *And the messengers returned unto him, and he said, &c.* Though Elijah was unknown to the envoys, such a menacing interposition would certainly be regarded as’ a Divine warning, which it was perilous to disregard.
**Why are ye now turned back?**—*Why have ye returned?* with emphasis on the “Why.”
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**2. Jeroboam said to his wife, Arise, I pray thee, and disguise thyself--**His natural and intense anxiety as a parent is here seen, blended with the deep and artful policy of an apostate king. The reason of this extreme caution was an unwillingness to acknowledge that he looked for information as to the future, not to his idols, but to the true God; and a fear that this step, if publicly known, ...
Read full commentary →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 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.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>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 enquire of Baal-zebub the god of Ekron? therefore thou shalt not come down from that bed on which thou art gone up, but shalt surely die.</strong><br><br>This verse c...
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(6) **Thou sendest.**—*Art sending*. Elijah had said, *ye are going*, in his question to the messengers (2Kings 1:3). (See Note on 2Kings 1:4.) Bähr is wrong in supposing the servants anxious to shift the prophet’s blame from themselves to their lord, or that Elijah had addressed them as accomplices in the king’s guilt. They had no choice but to obey the royal mandate.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**3-11. And take with thee ten loaves, and cracknels, and a cruse of honey, and go to him--**This was a present in unison with the peasant character she assumed. Cracknels are a kind of sweet seed-cake. The prophet was blind, but having received divine premonition of the pretended countrywoman's coming, he addressed her as the queen the moment she appeared, apprised her of the calamities which, in...
Read full commentary →And he said unto them, What manner of man was he which came up to meet you, and told you these words? What: Heb. What was the manner of the man
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And he said unto them, What manner of man was he which came up to meet you, and told you these words?</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 1: Divine judgment on apostasy and affirmation of prophetic authority. The prophetic ministry served as God's primary means of covenant enforcement, calling both kings and people to faithfulness. During this period, Isr...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(7) **He said.**—Spake. (See Note on 2Kings 1:3.)
**What manner of man?**—See margin. The word *mishpat* here denotes the *external* characteristics and visible peculiarities by which a man is *distinguished* (*shāphat*) from his fellows. (Comp. our expressions “sort,” “fashion,” “style,” and the Vulgate, “Cujus figuræ et habitus est vir ille?” LXX., ἡ κρίσις. Syriac, “appearance,” “look.” Targum,...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**3-11. And take with thee ten loaves, and cracknels, and a cruse of honey, and go to him--**This was a present in unison with the peasant character she assumed. Cracknels are a kind of sweet seed-cake. The prophet was blind, but having received divine premonition of the pretended countrywoman's coming, he addressed her as the queen the moment she appeared, apprised her of the calamities which, in...
Read full commentary →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.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>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.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 1: Divine judgment on apostasy and affirmation of prophetic authority. The prophetic ministry served as God's primary means of covenant enforcement, calling both kings and people to fait...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(8) **Answered.**—Said unto.
**An hairy man.**—Literally, a lord of hair. This might refer to length of hair and beard (so LXX., δασὺς, “hirsute,” “shaggy”); or to a hairy cloak or mantle. The second alternative is right, because a hairy mantle was a mark of the prophetic office from Elijah downwards. (Comp. Zechariah 13:4, “a rough garment;” and Matthew 3:4, where it is said of John Baptist—the s...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**3-11. And take with thee ten loaves, and cracknels, and a cruse of honey, and go to him--**This was a present in unison with the peasant character she assumed. Cracknels are a kind of sweet seed-cake. The prophet was blind, but having received divine premonition of the pretended countrywoman's coming, he addressed her as the queen the moment she appeared, apprised her of the calamities which, in...
Read full commentary →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.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>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.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 1: Divine judgment on apostasy and affirmation of prophetic authority. The divine name emphasizes Yahweh's covenant relat...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(9) **Then the king sent.**—Heb., *And he sent.* With hostile intentions, as is proved by his sending soldiers, and by the words of the angel in 2Kings 1:15. (Comp. 1Kings 18:8; 1Kings 22:26, *seq.*)
**He sat.**—*Was sitting. *The LXX. has “Elias was sitting,” which is probably original.
**A captain of fifty.**—The army of Israel was organised by thousands, hundreds, and fifties, each of which had...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**3-11. And take with thee ten loaves, and cracknels, and a cruse of honey, and go to him--**This was a present in unison with the peasant character she assumed. Cracknels are a kind of sweet seed-cake. The prophet was blind, but having received divine premonition of the pretended countrywoman's coming, he addressed her as the queen the moment she appeared, apprised her of the calamities which, in...
Read full commentary →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.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>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.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 1: Divine judgment on apostasy and affirmation of prophetic authority. The divine name emphasizes Yahweh's...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(10) **And Elijah answered and said.**—So Syriac and LXX. Heb., *and spake*.
**If.**—Heb., *And if a man of the god I* (truly be). This “and” closely connects the prophet’s reply with the captain’s demand. All the versions except the LXX. omit it, with some Hebrew MSS.
**Then.**—Omit.
**Let fire come down from heaven.**—A phrase found only here and in 2Chronicles 7:1. Ewald considers this a mark o...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**3-11. And take with thee ten loaves, and cracknels, and a cruse of honey, and go to him--**This was a present in unison with the peasant character she assumed. Cracknels are a kind of sweet seed-cake. The prophet was blind, but having received divine premonition of the pretended countrywoman's coming, he addressed her as the queen the moment she appeared, apprised her of the calamities which, in...
Read full commentary →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.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>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.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 1: Divine judgment on apostasy and affirmation of prophetic authority. The divine name emphasizes Yahweh's covenant relationship with Israel and His sovereign ...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(11) **Again also he sent.**—Although he had heard what had befallen his former envoys.
**He answered.**—LXX., “went up” (*way-ya’al for way-ya’an*), as in 2Kings 1:9; 2Kings 1:13.
**And said.**—Heb., *spake.* Yet some MSS., and Vulgate, Syriac, Arabic, as Authorised Version.
**Thus hath the king said.**—Or, commanded (*’āmar*).
**Come down quickly.**—“Impudentior fuit hic . . . priore; tum quia a...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**3-11. And take with thee ten loaves, and cracknels, and a cruse of honey, and go to him--**This was a present in unison with the peasant character she assumed. Cracknels are a kind of sweet seed-cake. The prophet was blind, but having received divine premonition of the pretended countrywoman's coming, he addressed her as the queen the moment she appeared, apprised her of the calamities which, in...
Read full commentary →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.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>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.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 1: Divine judgment on apostasy and affirmation of prophetic authority. The divine name emphasizes Yahweh's covenant rela...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(12) **Said (spake) unto them.**—LXX. and Syriac, “unto him,” which seems original.
**The fire of God.**—“The” is not in the Hebrew. The LXX., Vulgate, Arabic, and Targum, with some MSS., omit “of God.” The phrase occurs in the sense of lightning (Job 1:16).
**Consumed him and his fifty.**—According to Thenius, the story of the destruction of the captains And their companies emphasises (1) the aut...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**3-11. And take with thee ten loaves, and cracknels, and a cruse of honey, and go to him--**This was a present in unison with the peasant character she assumed. Cracknels are a kind of sweet seed-cake. The prophet was blind, but having received divine premonition of the pretended countrywoman's coming, he addressed her as the queen the moment she appeared, apprised her of the calamities which, in...
Read full commentary →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. fell: Heb. bowed
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>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.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 1: Divine judgment on apost...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(13) **A captain of the third fifty.**—Literally, *a captain of a third fifty.* But 2Kings 1:11, “another captain of fifty,” and the phrase which follows here, “the third captain of fifty,” indicate the right reading, “a third captain of fifty.” (So LXX. and Vulg.)
**Fell.**—Margin. (Comp. Isaiah 46:1, “Bel boweth down.”)
**Besought him.**—Begged favour, grace, or compossion of him (Genesis 42:21;...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**3-11. And take with thee ten loaves, and cracknels, and a cruse of honey, and go to him--**This was a present in unison with the peasant character she assumed. Cracknels are a kind of sweet seed-cake. The prophet was blind, but having received divine premonition of the pretended countrywoman's coming, he addressed her as the queen the moment she appeared, apprised her of the calamities which, in...
Read full commentary →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.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>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.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 1: Divine judgment on apostasy and affirmation of prophetic authority. The prophetic ministry served as God's primary means of covenant enforcement, callin...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(14) **Burnt.**—*Eat, or devoured* (2Kings 1:10; 2Kings 1:12).
**The two captains of the former fifties.**—Rather, *the former two captains of fifties*.
**Therefore let my life now.**—And *now* (i.e., this time) *let my life*. Some MSS., and LXX., Vulg., and Arabic add the precative “now,” that is, “I pray,” as in 2Kings 1:13 (“I pray thee” = na’).
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**3-11. And take with thee ten loaves, and cracknels, and a cruse of honey, and go to him--**This was a present in unison with the peasant character she assumed. Cracknels are a kind of sweet seed-cake. The prophet was blind, but having received divine premonition of the pretended countrywoman's coming, he addressed her as the queen the moment she appeared, apprised her of the calamities which, in...
Read full commentary →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.
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<strong>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.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 1: Divine judgment on apostasy and affirmation of prophetic authority. The divine name emphasizes Yahweh's covenant relationship with Israel and His sovereign control over historical ev...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(15) **Said.**—So LXX. (εἶπεν). Heb., *spake*. Vulgate and Arabic add “saying.” (See Note on 2Kings 1:3.)
**Go down.**—From the mountain top into the city.
**With him.**—’*Othô*, later form for ’*ittô*, which some MSS. read here.
**Be not afraid of him**—*i.e.,* the captain. The former two, as being the willing tools of the king, might have shown their zeal by instantly slaying the prophet. (Comp....
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**12. the child shall die--**The death and general lamentation felt through the country at the loss of the prince were also predicted. The reason for the profound regret shown at his death arose, according to Jewish writers, from his being decidedly opposed to the erection of the golden calves, and using his influence with his father to allow his subjects the free privilege of going to worship in ...
Read full commentary →And 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.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And he said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Forasmuch as thou hast sent messengers to enquire of Baal-zebub 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.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 1: Divine judgment on apostasy ...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(16) **And he said.**—Heb., *spake*. The LXX. adds, “and Elijah said.”
**Is it not because.**—Omit “not.” The question is here parenthetic, the connection of the main sentence being, “Forasmuch as thou hast sent . . . therefore thou shalt not come down,” &c.
**Off.**—*From,* as in 2Kings 1:4; 2Kings 1:6. The words of the oracle are thrice repeated verbally.
“Here, just as in other cases,” says Bäh...
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**13. all Israel shall mourn for him, and bury him--**the only one of Jeroboam's family who should receive the rites of sepulture.
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.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>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.</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 1: Divine judgment on apostasy and affirmation of prophetic authority. The divine name emphasizes Yahweh's covenant relationshi...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(17, 18) Concluding remarks added by the compiler.
(17) **And Jehoram.**—LXX. (Alex.), Syriac, and Vulgate add “his brother,” an expression which has fallen out of the Hebrew text, owing to its resemblance to the next (*tahtāw,* “in his stead”). (Comp. 2Kings 3:1, “son of Ahab.”)
**In the second year of Jehoram.**—Vat. LXX., “in the eighteenth year,” which is probably right. (Comp. 1Kings 22:52, “...
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**14. the Lord shall raise him up a king ... but what? even now--**namely, Baasha (1Ki 15:27); he was already raised--he was in being, though not in power.
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?
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>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?</strong><br><br>This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 1: Divine judgment on apostasy and affirmation of prophetic authority. The reference to kingship reminds readers that all human authority is subordinate to God's ultimate kingship. The prophetic m...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(18) **The acts.**—*Dibrê, i.e.*, history.
**Which he did.**—Some MSS. and the Syriac read “and all that he did,” which seems correct.
**The book of the chronicles of the kings.**—See Introduction, and 1Kings 14:19.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers
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