2 Kings 1

Moab revolted from Israel, v.1. &c. Ahazia seeketh to know of the idol Baal-Zebub the event of his sickness, 2. but Elia foretelleth his death, 3. the same is told to Ahazia, 5. He sendeth two Captains, one after another, with fifty men apiece, to bring Elia to him, who are devoured by fine from heaven, 9. with the third Elia goeth to the King, 13. And foretelleth him his death, 16. he dieth, and Joram reigneth in his stead, 17.

1. And Moab [Whom David by force of arms had brought under the power of the Israelites, 2 Sam.8.2.] revolted from Israel, [see further of this revolting, below ch.3.v.4, 5. Oth. transgressed against Israel. See of the Hebrew word, 1 Kings 12.on v.19.] after Achabs death. [see 2 Kings 3:5.]

2. And Ahazia fell (down) thorough a lattes in his upper chamber, that was at Samaria, [To wit, walking upon the roof of his house, wherein was a lattes window, to give light to the upper chamber] and fell sick; and he sent messengers, and said unto them; go, enquire of Baal-Zebub [the name of an idol, signifying a Lord, or, Master of flies. Thus he was called, (as is conceived) because he was called upon to drive away certain hurtful flies, wherewith the inhabitants of Palestine were plagued; or because there were always flies in his Temple, sitting upon the sacrifices, which were slain in great abundance to his honour: Or also, because this idol (as some write) had the form and shape of a fly. This name the Jews gave to the Prince of Devils, Mat.12.24. Mark 3:22. as well out of hatred, and detestation of the idol, as to extenuate and despise the power of the Devil] the God of Ekron, [see of this city, Jos.15.45. and 19.43. and Judg.1.18.] whether I shall recover [Heb. shall live. So Num.21.8, 9.] of this sickness.

3. But the Angel of the LORD spake to Elia the Tisbite, get thee up, go up, to meet the messengers of the King of Samaria: and spake unto them; it is so wise, as to know future things, so good as to be willing to reveal them to those that be his; so powerful, as to be able to help them in their need. Understand this according to the foolish conceit and unbelieving heart of Kahazia. So in the sequel or it is not therefore that thou hast done this, that thou foolishly thinkest there is no God, etc.] that ye go to enquire of Baal-Zebub the God of Ekron [viz. whether he should recover and get up of his sickness as in the following verse is held forth.]

4. Now therefore thus saith the LORD: Thou shalt not come down from that bed, on which thou art gone up; but thou shalt die the death; [Heb. dying die. So below v.6. and 16.]

5. So the messengers came back to him; [Namely, to King Ahazia] and he said unto them; what is this (that) ye come back? [he asketh this, because he was able to discern by their speedy and quick return that they had not been at Ekron to enquire of the idol.]

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 speak unto him; Thus saith the LORD is it because there is no God in Israel, that thou sendest to enquire of Baal-Zebub the God of Ekron? [see above on v.3.] therefore thou shalt not come down from that bed, on which thou art gone up, but thou shalt die the death.

7. And he spake unto them; what was the shape of the man, [Heb. the judgement, etc. which word is here taken by many for the quality and shape or fashion of garments: By others for the form or shape of the body. By the answers of the messengers in the next verse, it seemeth that the question or interrogation is to be understood of the shape and fashion of the garment. The same word is used, Exod.26.30. of the shape, form and fashion of the Tabernacle; for which the word type, or pattern is put, Exod.25.40. which Acts 7:44. and Heb.8.5. is expressed by the Greek word T U P O S] that came up to meet you, and spake these words unto you?

8. And they said unto him: he was a man with an hairy (garment), [Heb. a man Lord of the hair, that is a man that had much hair on. See of such kind of phrase Gen.14.on v.13. and understand this of the Prophets upper garments made of hair, which is conceived to have been the mantle spoken of 1 King.19.19. See the annotat. And compare Zach.13.4. Mat.3.4. Others apply it to be the length of the hair and beardof the prophet] and girt with a leathern girdle about his loines: then he said; it is Elia the Tisbite.

9. And he sent to him a Captain of fifty with his fifty: [Which were under the Captains command, all these were sent, not conduct the Prophet in a reverend and honourable manner but to compel him in a spiteful manner, and to take him prisoner, if he refuse to go along with him] and when he went up to him; (for behold he sat on the top of an hill), then he spake unto him; thou man of God, [see Judg.13.on vers.6. Thus he called Elia, not out of reverence, but in a disdainful way, being ready to use violence against him] the King saith, come down.

10. But Elia answered; and spake unto the Captain of the fifty; if I then be a man of God, then let fire come down from heaven. [To wit, fire, which God in an extraordinary manner by his divine power sent out of the skie. Compare Numb.11.1. and see the annotate.] and consume thee and thy fifty, [as much as if he had said, in scorn and spite, thou callest me a man of God; but I pray God to shew immediately by the token which I now desire, that I am one indeed and in truth] then fire came down from heaven, and consumed him and his fifty.

11. And he [Namely, the King] sent again [Heb. he turned again, and sent, that is, he sent again, so v.13. See Num.11.on v.4.] unto him another Captain of fifty with his fifty: This (man) answered, [that is, he began to utter that which he had to say in the Kings name unto the Prophet Elia. See 1 Kings.13.on v.6.] and spake unto him; thou man of God, thus saith the King, come down quickly.

12. And Elia answered and spake unto them; if I be a man of God, then let fire come down from heaven, and consume thee and thy fifty: Then the fire of God came down from heaven, and consumed him and his fifty.

13. And he sent again [Heb. he turned again, and sent. See above on vers.11.] a Captain of the third fifty with his fifty; so the third went up, and came and bowed himself on his knees [Heb. bended himself on his knees] before Elia, and besought him, and spake unto him; Thou man of God, let, I pray thee my soul, [i.e. life, and so in the following words. See Gen.19.on v.17.] and the soul of thy servants, [i.e. that are addicted to thee, to acknowledge thee, and to honour thee as our Lord] of these fifty be precious in thine eyes! [i.e. spare our life, that it may not be taken away from us, as the lives of the former two fifties were.]

14. Behold, (there) came fire down from heaven, and consumed the two former Captains of fifties, with their fifties: but now let my soul be precious in thine eye.

15. Then the Angel of the LORD spake unto Elia, [viz. by inward communing and inspiration, or by apparition, which was visible to the Prophet, but not to the Captain. So the Angel of the LORD was seen by Bileam’s ass, but not at first by Bileam, Num.22.25, 31.] Go down with him, be not afraid before his face; And he arose, and went down with him to the King.

16. And he spake unto him; Thus saith the LORD because thou hast sent messengers to enquire of Baal-Zebub the god of Ekron, (is it) becuse there is no God in Israel, to enquire of his word? [see above on vers.3.] Therefore thou shalt not come down from that bed, on which thou art gone up, but thou shalt die the death. [Heb. dying die.]

17. So he died, according to the word of the LORD, which Elia had spoken: and Joram [To wit, his brother, the son of Achab, below chap.3.1.] became King in his stead, in the second year of Joram, the son of Josaphat, the King of Juda: [to wit, after that he as deputy of his father had begun to reign: which was in the seventeenth year of his fathers reign. See 1 Kings 22.on v.42.] for he had no son.

18. Now the rest of the acts of Ahazia, which he did, are they not written in the book of the Chonicles of the Kings of Israel? [See 1 Kings 14. on v. 19.]