King James Version

What Does 2 Kings 1:16 Mean?

2 Kings 1:16 in the King James Version says “And he said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Forasmuch as thou hast sent messengers to enquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekr... — study this verse from 2 Kings chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

2 Kings 1:16 · KJV


Context

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 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.

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?


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

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 events. The prophetic ministry served as God's primary means of covenant enforcement, calling both kings and people to faithfulness. During this period, Israel and Judah struggled with persistent idolatry, particularly Baal worship introduced under Ahab and Jezebel.

The narrative demonstrates God's justice in judging covenant unfaithfulness while maintaining His ultimate purposes for redemption.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Historical Setting: 2 Kings 1 takes place during the mid-9th century BCE, around 850 BCE, during the transition from Elijah to Elisha. The chapter's theme (Ahaziah's Illness and Elijah's Final Confrontations) reflects the historical reality of prophetic succession and divine affirmation of Elisha's ministry following Elijah's remarkable translation. Archaeological evidence from this period includes royal inscriptions, administrative documents, and material culture that corroborate the biblical account while providing additional context for understanding the political and social dynamics at work.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse contribute to understanding the theological message of 2 Kings 1 regarding divine judgment on apostasy and affirmation of prophetic authority?
  2. What does this passage reveal about God's character, particularly His justice, mercy, and faithfulness to covenant promises?
  3. In what practical ways should this text shape contemporary Christian thinking about faithfulness, worship, and obedience to God?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 31 words
וַיְדַבֵּ֨ר1 of 31

And he said

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

אֵלָ֜יו2 of 31
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

כֹּֽה3 of 31
H3541

properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now

אָמַ֣ר4 of 31

unto him Thus saith

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָ֗ה5 of 31

the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

יַ֜עַן6 of 31
H3282

properly, heed; by implication, purpose (sake or account); used adverbially to indicate the reason or cause

אֲשֶׁר7 of 31
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

שָׁלַ֣חְתָּ8 of 31

Forasmuch as thou hast sent

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

מַלְאָכִים֮9 of 31

messengers

H4397

a messenger; specifically, of god, i.e., an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher)

לִדְרֹ֖שׁ10 of 31

to enquire

H1875

properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow (for pursuit or search); by implication, to seek or ask; specifically to worship

בְּבַ֣עַל11 of 31
H0
זְבוּב֮12 of 31

of Baalzebub

H1176

baal-zebub, a special deity of the ekronites

אֱלֹהִים֙13 of 31

is it not because there is no God

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

עֶקְרוֹן֒14 of 31

of Ekron

H6138

ekron, a place in palestine

הַֽמִבְּלִ֤י15 of 31
H1097

properly, failure, i.e., nothing or destruction; usually (with preposition) without, not yet, because not, as long as, etc

אֵין16 of 31
H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

אֱלֹהִים֙17 of 31

is it not because there is no God

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל18 of 31

in Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

לִדְרֹ֖שׁ19 of 31

to enquire

H1875

properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow (for pursuit or search); by implication, to seek or ask; specifically to worship

בִּדְבָר֑וֹ20 of 31

of his word

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

לָ֠כֵן21 of 31
H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

הַמִּטָּ֞ה22 of 31

off that bed

H4296

a bed (as extended) for sleeping or eating; by analogy, a sofa, litter or bier

אֲשֶׁר23 of 31
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

עָלִ֥יתָ24 of 31

on which thou art gone up

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

שָּׁ֛ם25 of 31
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

לֹֽא26 of 31
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

תֵרֵ֥ד27 of 31

therefore thou shalt not come down

H3381

to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau

מִמֶּ֖נָּה28 of 31
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

כִּי29 of 31
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

תָּמֽוּת׃30 of 31

but shalt surely

H4191

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

תָּמֽוּת׃31 of 31

but shalt surely

H4191

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Kings. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Kings 1:16 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 2 Kings 1:16 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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