Teks -- 2 Kings 1:1-13 (NET)

Elijah Confronts the King and His Commanders

1:1 After Ahab died, Moab rebelled against Israel. 1:2 Ahaziah fell through a window lattice in his upper chamber in Samaria and was injured. He sent messengers with these orders, “Go, ask Baal Zebub, the god of Ekron, if I will survive this injury.” 1:3 But the Lord’s angelic messenger told Elijah the Tishbite, “Get up, go to meet the messengers from the king of Samaria. Say this to them: ‘You must think there is no God in Israel! That explains why you are on your way to seek an oracle from Baal Zebub the god of Ekron. 1:4 Therefore this is what the Lord says, “You will not leave the bed you lie on, for you will certainly die!”’” So Elijah went on his way. 1:5 When the messengers returned to the king, he asked them, “Why have you returned?” 1:6 They replied, “A man came up to meet us. He told us, “Go back to the king who sent you and tell him, ‘This is what the Lord says: “You must think there is no God in Israel! That explains why you are sending for an oracle from Baal Zebub, the god of Ekron. Therefore you will not leave the bed you lie on, for you will certainly die.”’” 1:7 The king asked them, “Describe the appearance of this man who came up to meet you and told you these things.” 1:8 They replied, “He was a hairy man and had a leather belt tied around his waist.” The king said, “He is Elijah the Tishbite.” 1:9 The king sent a captain and his fifty soldiers to retrieve Elijah. The captain went up to him, while he was sitting on the top of a hill. He told him, “Prophet, the king says, ‘Come down!’” 1:10 Elijah replied to the captain, “If I am indeed a prophet, may fire come down from the sky and consume you and your fifty soldiers!” Fire then came down from the sky and consumed him and his fifty soldiers. 1:11 The king sent another captain and his fifty soldiers to retrieve Elijah. He went up and told him, “Prophet, this is what the king says, ‘Come down at once!’” 1:12 Elijah replied to them, “If I am indeed a prophet, may fire come down from the sky and consume you and your fifty soldiers!” Fire from God came down from the sky and consumed him and his fifty soldiers. 1:13 The king sent a third captain and his fifty soldiers. This third captain went up and fell on his knees before Elijah. He begged for mercy, “Prophet, please have respect for my life and for the lives of these fifty servants of yours.

Tafsiran/Catatan -- Catatan Kata/Frasa (per frasa)

Wesley: 2Ki 1:1 - Moab

This had been subdued by David, as Edom was; and upon the division of his kingdom, Moab was adjoined to that of Israel, and Edom to that of Judah, each to that kingdom upon which it bordered. But when the kingdoms of Israel and Judah were weak and forsaken by God, they took that opportunity to revolt from them; Moab here, and Edom a little after.

Wesley: 2Ki 1:2 - Chamber

In which, the lattess might be left to convey light into the lower room. But the words may be rendered, through the battlements (or through the lattess in the battlements) of the roof of the house. Where, standing and looking through, and leaning upon this lattess, it broke, and he fell down into the court or garden.

Wesley: 2Ki 1:2 - Baal

zebub - Properly, the god of flies; an idol so called, because it was supposed to deliver those people from flies; Jupiter and Hercules were called by a like name among the Grecians. And it is evident, both from sacred and prophane histories, That the idol - gods, did sometimes through God's permission, give the answers; though they were generally observed, even by the Heathens themselves, to be dark and doubtful.

Wesley: 2Ki 1:3 - And say

Dost thou not cast contempt on the God of Israel, as if he were either ignorant of the event of thy disease, or unable to give thee relief; and as if Baal - zebub had more skill and power than he?

Wesley: 2Ki 1:5 - Why, &c.

_Before you have been at Ekron: which he knew by their quick return.

Wesley: 2Ki 1:8 - An hairy man

His garment was rough and hairy, such as were worn by eminent persons in Greece, in ancient times; and were the proper habit of the prophets.

Wesley: 2Ki 1:8 - Girdle

As John the baptist also had. That by his very outward habit, he might represent Elijah, in whose spirit and power he came.

Wesley: 2Ki 1:9 - Man of God

So he calls him by way of scorn.

Wesley: 2Ki 1:9 - Come

The king commands thee to come to him: which if thou refuseth, I am to carry thee by force.

Wesley: 2Ki 1:10 - Let fire, &c.

_Elijah did this, not to secure himself, he could have done that some other way: nor to revenge himself, for it was not his own cause that he acted in: but to prove his mission, and to reveal the wrath of God from heaven against the ungodliness and unrighteousness of men.

Wesley: 2Ki 1:11 - And said

He discovers more petulancy than the former; and shews, how little he was moved by the former example.

Wesley: 2Ki 1:13 - Besought

Expressing both reverence to his person, and a dread of God's judgments. There is nothing to be got by contending with God: if we would prevail with him, it must be by supplication. And those are wise who learn submission from the fatal consequences of obstinacy in others.

JFB: 2Ki 1:1 - Then Moab rebelled

Subdued by David (2Sa 8:2), they had, in the partition of Israel and Judah, fallen to the share of the former kingdom. But they took advantage of the death of Ahab to shake off the yoke (see on 2Ki 3:6). The casualty that befell Ahaziah [2Ki 1:2] prevented his taking active measures for suppressing this revolt, which was accomplished as a providential judgment on the house of Ahab for all these crimes.

JFB: 2Ki 1:2-8 - Ahaziah fell down through a lattice in his upper chamber

This lattice was either a part of the wooden parapet, or fence, which surrounds the flat roofs of houses, and over which the king was carelessly leaning when it gave way; or it might be an opening like a skylight in the roof itself, done over with lattice-work, which, being slender or rotten, the king stepped on and slipped through. This latter supposition is most probably the true one, as Ahaziah did not fall either into the street or the court, but "in his upper chamber."

JFB: 2Ki 1:2-8 - inquire of Baalzebub

Anxious to learn whether he should recover from the effects of this severe fall, he sent to consult Baalzebub, that is, the god of flies, who was considered the patron deity of medicine. A temple to that idol was erected at Ekron, which was resorted to far and wide, though it afterwards led to the destruction of the place (Zec 9:5; Amo 1:8; Zep 2:4). "After visiting Ekron, 'the god of flies' is a name that gives me no surprise. The flies there swarmed, in fact so innumerably, that I could hardly get any food without these troublesome insects getting into it" [VAN DE VELDE].

JFB: 2Ki 1:3 - the angel of the Lord

Not an angel, but the angel, who carried on all communications between the invisible God and His chosen people [HENGSTENBERG]. This angel commissioned Elijah to meet the king's messengers, to stop them peremptorily on the idolatrous errand, and convey by them to the king information of his approaching death. This consultation of an idol, being a breach of the fundamental law of the kingdom (Exo 20:3; Deu 5:7), was a daring and deliberate rejection of the national religion. The Lord, in making this announcement of his death, designed that he should see in that event a judgment for his idolatry.

JFB: 2Ki 1:4 - Thou shalt not come down from that bed

On being taken up, he had probably been laid on the divan--a raised frame, about three feet broad, extended along the sides of a room, covered with cushions and mattresses--serving, in short, as a sofa by day and a bed by night, and ascended by steps.

JFB: 2Ki 1:4 - Elijah departed

To his ordinary abode, which was then at Mount Carmel (2Ki 2:25; 1Ki 18:42).

JFB: 2Ki 1:5 - the messengers turned back

They did not know the stranger; but his authoritative tone, commanding attitude, and affecting message determined them at once to return.

JFB: 2Ki 1:8 - an hairy man

This was the description not of his person, as in the case of Esau, but of his dress, which consisted either of unwrought sheep or goatskins (Heb 11:37), or of camel's haircloth--the coarser manufacture of this material like our rough haircloth. The Dervishes and Bedouins are attired in this wild, uncouth manner, while their hair flows loose on the head, their shaggy cloak is thrown over their shoulders and tied in front on the breast, naked, except at the waist, round which is a skin girdle--a broad, rough leathern belt. Similar to this was the girdle of the prophets, as in keeping with their coarse garments and their stern, uncompromising office.

JFB: 2Ki 1:9 - Then the king sent unto him a captain of fifty

Any appearance of cruelty that there is in the fate of the two captains and their men will be removed, on a full consideration of the circumstances. God being the King of Israel, Ahaziah was bound to govern the kingdom according to the divine law; to apprehend the Lord's prophet, for discharging a commanded duty, was that of an impious and notorious rebel. The captains abetted the king in his rebellion; and they exceeded their military duty by contemptuous insults.

JFB: 2Ki 1:9 - man of God

In using this term, they either spoke derisively, believing him to be no true prophet; or, if they regarded him as a true prophet, the summons to him to surrender himself bound to the king was a still more flagrant insult; the language of the second captain being worse than that of the first.

JFB: 2Ki 1:10 - let fire come down

Rather, "fire shall come down." Not to avenge a personal insult of Elijah, but an insult upon God in the person of His prophet; and the punishment was inflicted, not by the prophet, but by the direct hand of God.

Clarke: 2Ki 1:1 - Moab rebelled

Moab rebelled - The Moabites had been subdued by David, and laid under tribute, 2Ki 3:4, and 2Sa 8:2. After the division of the two kingdoms, the Moabites fell partly under the dominion of Israel, and partly under that of Judah, until the death of Ahab, when they arose and shook off this yoke. Jehoram confederated with the king of Judah and the king of Edom, in order to reduce them. See this war, 2Ki 3:5.

Clarke: 2Ki 1:2 - Fell down through a lattice

Fell down through a lattice - Perhaps either through the flat root of his house, or over or through the balustrades with which the roof was surrounded

Clarke: 2Ki 1:2 - Go, inquire of Baal-zebub

Go, inquire of Baal-zebub - Literally, the fly-god, or master of flies. The Septuagint has βααλ μυιαν, Baal the fly. He was the tutelary god of Ekron, and probably was used at first as a kind of telesm, to drive away flies. He became afterwards a very respectable devil, and was supposed to have great power and influence. In the New Testament Beelzebub is a common name for Satan himself, or the prince of devils. See my notes on Mat 10:25 (note).

Clarke: 2Ki 1:4 - But shalt surely die

But shalt surely die - The true God tells you this; he in whose hands are both life and death, who can kill and make alive. Baal-zebub can do nothing; God has determined that your master shall die.

Clarke: 2Ki 1:8 - He was a hairy man

He was a hairy man - That is, he wore a rough garment, either made of camels’ hair, as his successor John Baptist’ s was, or he wore a skin dressed with the hair on. Some think that the meaning is, he had very long hair and a long beard. The ancient prophets all wore rough garments, or upper coats made of the skins of beasts: They wandered about in sheep-skins and goat-skins, says the apostle, Heb 11:37.

Clarke: 2Ki 1:9 - A captain of fifty with his fifty

A captain of fifty with his fifty - It is impossible that such a man as Ahaziah, in such circumstances, could have had any friendly designs in sending a captain and fifty soldiers for the prophet; and the manner in which they are treated shows plainly that they went with a hostile intent

Clarke: 2Ki 1:9 - And he spake unto him, Thou man of God

And he spake unto him, Thou man of God - Thou prophet of the Most High.

Clarke: 2Ki 1:10 - And there came down fire

And there came down fire - Some have blamed the prophet for destroying these men, by bringing down fire from heaven upon them. But they do not consider that it was no more possible for Elijah to bring down fire from heaven, than for them to do it. God alone could send the fire; and as he is just and good, he would not have destroyed these men had there not been a sufficient cause to justify the act. It was not to please Elijah, or to gratify any vindictive humor in him, that God thus acted; but to show his own power and justice. No entreaty of Elijah could have induced God to have performed an act that was wrong in itself. Elijah, personally, had no concern in the business. God led him simply to announce on these occasions what he himself had determined to do. If I be a man of God, i.e., as surely as I am a man of God, fire Shall come down from heaven, and Shall consume thee and thy fifty. This is the literal meaning of the original; and by it we see that Elijah’ s words were only declarative, and not imprecatory.

Defender: 2Ki 1:3 - not a God in Israel

King Ahaziah, son of Ahab and Jezebel, reigned only two years and followed in the pagan idolatry of his parents. Although he certainly knew about the total defeat of the priests of Baal by Elijah at Carmel, as well as his father's death as predicted by the prophet Micaiah, he nevertheless chose to seek help from a heathen prophet instead of the God of Israel. The sin of modern Christendom is much greater even than this, as 2000 years of Christian witness are being everywhere rejected in deference to the evolutionism and occultism of the ancient pagan gods."

TSK: 2Ki 1:1 - Moab // after the

Moab : Num 24:7; 2Sa 8:2; 1Ch 18:2; Psa 60:8

after the : 2Ki 3:4, 2Ki 3:5, 2Ki 8:20, 2Ki 8:22

TSK: 2Ki 1:2 - a lattice // was sick // Baalzebub // god // whether

a lattice : The flat roofs of the eastern houses are generally surrounded by a parapet wall breast high; but instead of this, some terraces are guarded with balustrades only, or latticed work. Of the same kind, probably, was the lattice, or net, as the term shevacha seems to import, through which Ahaziah fell into the court. This incident proves the necessity of the law for the formation of battlements for roof (Deu 22:8), which God graciously dictated from Sinai, which furnishes a beautiful example of his paternal care and goodness; for the terrace was a place where many offices of the family were performed, and business frequently transacted. Jdg 5:28; Son 2:9; Act 20:9

was sick : 1Ki 22:34 *marg. 2Ch 21:14, 2Ch 21:15; Job 31:3

Baalzebub : 2Ki 1:3, 2Ki 1:6, 2Ki 1:16; Mat 10:25, Mat 12:24-27; Mar 3:22; Luk 11:15, Beelzebub

god : Jdg 11:24; 1Sa 5:10; 1Ki 11:33; Isa 37:12, Isa 37:19

whether : 2Ki 8:7-10; 1Ki 14:3

TSK: 2Ki 1:3 - angel // Elijah // Arise // it // ye go

angel : 2Ki 1:15; 1Ki 19:5, 1Ki 19:7; Act 8:26, Act 12:7-11

Elijah : 2Ki 1:8; 1Ki 17:1

Arise : 1Ki 18:1

it : 2Ki 1:6, 2Ki 1:16, 2Ki 5:8, 2Ki 5:15; 1Sa 17:46; 1Ki 18:36; Psa 76:1

ye go : Jer 2:11-13; Jon 2:8; Mar 3:22

TSK: 2Ki 1:4 - Thou shalt // but shalt

Thou shalt : etc. Heb. The bed whither thou art gone up, thou shalt not come down from it

but shalt : Gen 2:17, Gen 3:4; Num 26:65; 1Sa 28:19; 1Ki 14:12; Pro 11:19, Pro 14:32; Eze 18:4

TSK: 2Ki 1:6 - Thus saith // therefore

Thus saith : Isa 41:22, Isa 41:23

therefore : 2Ki 1:3, 2Ki 1:4; 1Ch 10:13, 1Ch 10:14; Psa 16:4

TSK: 2Ki 1:7 - What manner of man was he

What manner of man was he : Heb. What was the manner of the man, Jdg 8:18; 1Sa 28:14

TSK: 2Ki 1:8 - an hairy man

an hairy man : That is, he wore a rough garment, either made of camels’ hair, as that of John Baptist, or of a skin, dressed with the hair on. Sir J. Chardin informs us, in a manuscript note on this place, cited by Mr. Harmer, that the eastern dervishes and fakeers are clothed just as Elijah was, with a hairy garment, girded with a leathern girdle. Isa 20:2; Zec 13:4; Mat 3:4, Mat 11:8; Luk 1:17; Rev 11:3

TSK: 2Ki 1:9 - sent unto // he sat // Thou man

sent unto : 2Ki 6:13, 2Ki 6:14; 1Ki 18:4, 1Ki 18:10, 1Ki 19:2, 1Ki 22:8, 1Ki 22:26, 1Ki 22:27; Mat 14:3

he sat : 1Ki 18:42; Luk 6:11, Luk 6:12

Thou man : Amo 7:12; Mat 26:68, Mat 27:29, Mat 27:41-43; Mar 15:29, Mar 15:32; Heb 11:36

TSK: 2Ki 1:10 - If I be a man // let fire // consumed

If I be a man : 2Ki 2:23, 2Ki 2:24; Num 16:28-30; 1Ki 18:36-38, 1Ki 22:28; 2Ch 36:16; Psa 105:15; Mat 21:41, Mat 23:34-37; Act 5:3-10

let fire : Or, rather, as the original literally imports, and the LXX render, καταβησεται πυρ , fire shall come down; Elijah’ s words being simply declarative, and not imprecatory. Num 11:1, Num 16:35; Job 1:16; Psa 106:18; Luk 9:54; Heb 12:29; Rev 11:5

consumed : Dan 3:22, Dan 3:25, Dan 6:24; Act 12:19

TSK: 2Ki 1:11 - Again // O man

Again : Num 16:41; 1Sa 6:9; Isa 26:11; Jer 5:3; Joh 18:5-12; Act 4:16, Act 4:17

O man : 1Sa 22:17-19; Pro 29:12; Isa 32:7; Mat 2:16; Luk 22:63, Luk 22:64

TSK: 2Ki 1:12

2Ki 1:9, 2Ki 1:10

TSK: 2Ki 1:13 - he sent again // fell on // besought // O man of God

he sent again : Job 15:25, Job 15:26; Pro 27:22; Ecc 9:3; Isa 1:5

fell on : Heb. bowed, Isa 66:2

besought : Exo 11:8; Num 12:11-13; 1Ki 13:6; Isa 60:14; Rev 3:9

O man of God : Psa 102:17; Jam 4:7

Tafsiran/Catatan -- Catatan Kata/Frasa (per Ayat)

Poole: 2Ki 1:2 - In his upper chamber // Baal-zebub

In his upper chamber in which the lattice might be left to convey light into the lower room; which if it now seem to be absurd in a king’ s palace, we must not think it was so then, when the world was not arrived to that height of curiosity and art in which now it is. But the words may be, and are by some, rendered, through the battlements (or through the lattice in the battlements ) of the roof of the house ; where being first walking, after the manner, and then standing and looking through, and leaning upon this lattice, which was grown infirm, it broke, and he fell into the court or garden belonging to the house.

Baal-zebub properly, the god of flies ; an idol so called, because it was falsely supposed to deliver those people from flies, which were both vexatious and hurtful to them; as Jupiter and Hercules were called by a like name among the Grecians for thee same reason. And it is evident, both from sacred and profane histories, that the idol gods, being consulted by the heathens, did sometimes through God’ s permission and just judgment give them answers, though they were generally observed, even by the heathens themselves to be dark and doubtful.

Poole: 2Ki 1:3 - Is it not because there is not a God in Israel?

Is it not because there is not a God in Israel? Dost thou not by this action cast contempt upon the God of Israel, as if he were either ignorant of the event of thy disease, or un able to give thee any relief, and as if Baal-zebub had more skill and power than he?

Poole: 2Ki 1:4 - Now therefore // Elijah departed

Now therefore for this was a very heinous crime, to deny the perfections of God, and to transfer them to an idol. See Lev 19:31 20:6,27 De 18:10 .

Elijah departed the messengers not daring to apprehend him, as suspecting him to be more than man, because he knew the secret message which the king delivered to them in his bedchamber.

Poole: 2Ki 1:5

Before you have been at Ekron; which he easily knew by their quick return.

Poole: 2Ki 1:8 - An hairy man // With a girdle of leather about his loins

An hairy man either,

1. As to his body; the hair of his head and beard being through neglect grown long, and spread over much of his time. Or rather,

2. As to his outward garment, which was rough and hairy, such as were sometimes worn by eminent persons in Greece in ancient times, and were the proper habit of the prophets. See Isa 20:2 Zec 13:4 Mat 3:4 Heb 11:37 .

With a girdle of leather about his loins as John the Baptist also had, Mat 3:4 , that by his very outward habit he might represent Elias, in whose spirit and power he came.

Poole: 2Ki 1:9 - Thou man of God // The king hath said, Come down

Thou man of God so he calls him in way of scorn and contempt: q.d. Thou that vauntest as if thou wast more than a mere man.

The king hath said, Come down the king commands thee to come to him; which if thou refusest, I am here to carry thee to him by force.

Poole: 2Ki 1:10

Elijah’ s desire did not proceed from a carnal and malicious passion; but from a pure zeal to vindicate God’ s name and honour, which was so horribly abused; and from the motion of God’ s Spirit, as is evident from God’ s miraculous answer to his desire. And therefore Christ doth not condemn this fact of Elias, but only reproves his disciples for their perverse imitation of it from another spirit and principle, and in a more unseasonable time, Luk 9:54,55 .

Poole: 2Ki 1:11

Wherein he discovers more petulancy and impudence than the former, and shows how little he was moved or affrighted by the former example.

Poole: 2Ki 1:13 - Fell on his knees, and besought him

Fell on his knees, and besought him expressing both reverence to his person, and a belief of his power, and a dread of God’ s judgments.

Haydock: 2Ki 1:1 - Rebelled

Rebelled: literally, "prevaricated." (Haydock) ---

The kings of Israel kept some of the nations, which David had conquered, in subjection, while the kings of Juda ruled over the others. In consequence of the late disaster, these people began to throw off the yoke. (Tirinus) ---

Joram made war upon Moab, chap. iii. 5. God began to punish the house of Achab, by these means. (Calmet) ---

The Moabites refused to pay tribute, (Menochius) as the Israelites would not acknowledge the divine authority. (Haydock)

Haydock: 2Ki 1:2 - Lattices // Of // God // Accaron

Lattices, by a skylight, (Haydock) or trap-door, designed to give light to the room below, into which the king fell. The roofs are generally flat in the East, and covered with earth mixed with straw, with the light at the top, to prevent the excessive heats. ---

Of. Hebrew, &c., "into." (Calmet) ---

If the lattices be understood to mean the rails, which were ordered to be placed round the roof, (Deuteronomy xxii. 8.) Ochozias might fall into the street. (Menochius) ---

Josephus thinks he fell from the staircase. At any rate, he was much hurt, (Haydock) and thus was made to feel the indignation of God. (Tirinus) ---

God. Septuagint, "Baal, the god-fly;" (Calmet) the Jupiter of the Greeks, or their chief god; and the prince of devils, Matthew xii. ---

Accaron. Hence Pliny ([Natural History?] viii. 29.) styles the god Achor, (Tirinus) and Myiodis, (B. xxxvi.) which is the name given to him by Josephus, ix. 2. (Haydock) ---

He was supposed to free the people of the country from being infested with flies; or the many victims offered up to him, drew those insects together. (Vatable) ---

Grotius supposes that the Phœnicians styled their god, Beelsemen, ( Balssomin ) "God of heaven;" and that the Hebrews called him, Balzobub, "god of flies," out of contempt. But perhaps his is too favourable to the idolaters. (Du Hamel) ---

Selden is convinced that Ochozias gives the idol its real name. Scaliger rather thinks that Balzobeim, "the lord of victims," was the original title. (Haydock)

Haydock: 2Ki 1:4 - Away

Away; probably to his usual abode, at Carmel, where the king sent to seize him.

Haydock: 2Ki 1:5 - Messengers

Messengers. They were perhaps citizens of Accaron, who had extolled the sagacity of their god, but were totally unacquainted with Elias. Yet as he shewed his knowledge of secret things, by telling them what they were going about, (Salien) and spoke with such assurance, (Haydock) they thought proper to return, lest they should incur a similar punishment. (Menochius)

Haydock: 2Ki 1:8 - Man // Induitur // Elias

Man. Hebrew ish bahal sehar, "a man lord of hair," or all covered with it, having a long beard, like the ancient sages, (St. Jerome, in Ezechiel xxxv.) and clothed with a skin, (Bochart) as the first inhabitants of the earth, the heroes, prophets and St. John the Baptist, are described, Hebrews xi. 37., and Matthew iii. 4. So Statius (ii., and iv.) says: Tiresiæ vultus, voces et vellera nota

Induitur.

The monks imitated this poverty and simplicity of clothing; and it is still common among Arabs, who wear a sheep's skin, with the shorn side inwards in hot weather. (Calmet) ---

Elias. He was known by his long hair and distinct garment, from ordinary men. (Worthington) ---

Hence none ought to blame priests and monks, for wearing clothing which may designate their profession. (Haydock)

Haydock: 2Ki 1:9 - Under him // Of God // Down

Under him; his own guards. The captain was to request him to pray for the king's recovery; (Calmet) or rather, (Haydock) to punish him for what he had said to the messengers. (Calmet) ---

Of God. Procopius and others think that he spoke contemptuously, and was therefore punished. (Menochius) ---

Down. The prophets are not bound to obey kings, in the exercise of their ministry. (Grotius) ---

Elias complies as soon as he had orders from God. (Calmet)

Haydock: 2Ki 1:10 - Let fire

Let fire, &c. Elias was inspired to call down fire from heaven upon these captains, who came to apprehend him; not out of a desire to gratify any private passion, but to punish the insult offered to religion, to confirm his mission, and to shew how vain are the efforts of men against God and his servants, whom he has a mind to protect. (Challoner) ---

The Roman laws authorized a person, in authority, to punish those who refuse to obey. (Ulpin 1 D.) Si quis jus dicenti non obtemperaverit, omnibus concessum est suam jurisdictionem defendere pœnali judicio. Elias acted as God's envoy, and the insult reverted upon him. (St. Thomas Aquinas, [Summa Theologiae] 2. 2. q. 108, a. 2.) ---

The Manichees have blamed the conduct of the prophet: but the miracle justifies him, as God would never countenance the private revenge of any one; and the Holy Ghost places this transaction on a level with that when Elias shut up the heavens, Ecclesiasticus xlviii. 3. St. Peter was moved with the like zeal, Acts v. 5. The sons of Zebedee gave way to some private indignation, when they wished our Saviour to call down fire from heaven upon a city of Samaria, Luke ix. 54. But he reprimanded them for it; as the citizens might not be so well acquainted with him, as these soldiers must have been with Elias: and he came to display the spirit of mildness, (Calmet) to attract all to his holy religion; while Elias had manifested the severity of the divine judgments, conformably to the law of terror, under which he lived. (Haydock) ---

In zeal of justice, Elias procured fire to burn these wicked men, as he had done for the holocaust. (St. Augustine) (Worthington)

Haydock: 2Ki 1:11 - Another

Another, not knowing what was become of the first, or why he did not return; as Ochozias was eager to have the prophet in his power. (Menochius) ---

If he were acquainted with his fate, (Haydock) this second captain was guilty of greater insolence. But there are such generally to be found at courts; men who are ready to execute the king's orders, without considering whether they be contrary to God's law or not.

Haydock: 2Ki 1:13 - Again // Despise not

Again. This third captain is commonly supposed to be Abdias, (3 Kings xviii. 3.) though without much reason. (Calmet) ---

John of Jerus, (c. 15) says he left the court, and became a disciple of Elias, and a prophet. (Menochius) ---

But he is very different from the prophet, whose writings are still extant. (Calmet) ---

The report of the two miracles had come to his ears, and filled him with fear. (Menochius) ---

Despise not. Hebrew, "let my life....be precious in thy sight," 1 Kings xxvi. 21., and Psalm cxv. 15.

Gill: 2Ki 1:1 - Then Moab rebelled against Israel after the death of Ahab.

Then Moab rebelled against Israel after the death of Ahab. Which had been in subjection to them from the times of David, 2Sa 8:2 refusing to pay a tribute as they had done; taking advantage of Ahab's ill success with the king of Syria, and of his death, and the condition and circumstances of his successor.

Gill: 2Ki 1:2 - And Ahaziah fell down 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

And Ahaziah fell down a lattice in his upper chamber that was in Samaria,.... Which was either a window or lattice in the form of network, to let in light; or rather were the rails of a balcony or battlement on the roof of his palace, in this form, on which leaning, it broke down, and he fell into the garden or court yard; or walking on the roof of his house, and treading unawares on a sky light, which let in light into a room underneath, he fell through it into it:

and was sick; the fall perhaps threw him into a fever, and which seemed threatening, being violent:

and he sent messengers, and said unto them, go inquire of Baalzebub, the god of Ekron, whether I shall recover of this disease; not to heal him of it, but to know the issue of it; a vain curiosity this! Ekron was one of the principalities of the Philistines, and this idol was the god they worshipped, which signifies a master fly: which some think was a large metallic fly; made under a planet that rules over flies; and the Heathens had deities they called Myiodes, Myagros, and απομυιος, which signifies a driver away of flies; as Jupiter and Hercules were called by the Eleans and Romans, and worshipped and sacrificed to by them on that account ^a; and so the Cyreneans, a people of Lybia, worshipped the god Achor, which seems to be a corruption of the word Ekron, because he freed them from flies, after they had been infested with a pestilence through them ^b; and Ekron being a place near the sea, and both hot and moist, might be much infested with those creatures. Within the haven of Ptolemais, or Acco, was formerly a temple of Baalzebub, called in later times "the tower of flies", and used as a Pharus ^c.

Gill: 2Ki 1:3 - But the angel of the Lord said unto Elijah // arise, go up to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria // is it not because there is not a God in Israel // that ye go to inquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekron

But the angel of the Lord said unto Elijah,.... One of the ministering spirits sent by the Lord to him:

arise, go up to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria: that is, the king of Israel, whose capital city was Samaria:

is it not because there is not a God in Israel; known, acknowledged, and worshipped there, of whom there had been sufficient proof of his deity and divine perfections, as omniscience, omnipotence, &c.

that ye go to inquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekron? about future things, when they had God nigh unto them, fully acquainted with them, as this message shows.

Gill: 2Ki 1:4 - Now therefore thus saith the Lord // thou shalt not come down from that bed on which thou art gone up, but shall surely die // and Elijah departed

Now therefore thus saith the Lord,.... Jehovah, the only true God:

thou shalt not come down from that bed on which thou art gone up, but shall surely die; this sickness should be unto death, and the bed he had betaken himself to should be his deathbed. The phrases of going up to bed, and coming down, are used with great propriety; for in the eastern countries, in their bedchambers, they had a gallery raised four or five feet above the floor, with a balustrade on the front ^d, and steps leading up to it; or ladders, which had more or fewer rounds, according as the beds were higher or lower ^e:

and Elijah departed; having met the messengers, and delivered his message from the Lord unto them.

Gill: 2Ki 1:5 - And when the messengers turned back unto him // he said unto them, why are ye now turned back

And when the messengers turned back unto him,.... To Ahaziah king of Israel, as they did as soon as Elijah was gone from them; concluding from his habit, his gravity, and the authority with which he spoke, that he was a prophet of the Lord, and especially from his knowledge of them, and of what they were sent about:

he said unto them, why are ye now turned back? for, by the time they had been gone, he knew they could never have been at Ekron and returned.

Gill: 2Ki 1:6 - 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

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,.... King Ahaziah:

and say unto him; and then they repeated all that is said by the angel to Elijah, and he had delivered to them, 2Ki 1:3 and which was a sufficient reason for their turning back, since they got a full answer from a man of God, of what they were to inquire of at Ekron; which was, whether the king would recover of this disease or not.

Gill: 2Ki 1:7 - And he said unto them, what manner of man was he // which came up to meet you, and told you these words

And he said unto them, what manner of man was he,.... What appearance or figure did he make? what his habit or clothing?

which came up to meet you, and told you these words? they had related to him.

Gill: 2Ki 1:8 - And they answered him, he was an hairy man // girt with a girdle of leather about his loins // and he said, it is Elijah the Tishbite

And they answered him, he was an hairy man,.... Either the hair of his head and beard were grown very long, having been much neglected for a great while; or he had an hairy garment on, either of goats' hair, such as the Chinese wear ^f, whose women spin it, see Exo 35:26 and of which garments are made; or of camels' hair, such as John the Baptist wore, who came in his spirit and power, and imitated him in his dress, being also, as Elijah here:

girt with a girdle of leather about his loins: for more expeditious travelling, not for warmth, the climate being hot:

and he said, it is Elijah the Tishbite; for he had seen him formerly in his father's court in this dress.

Gill: 2Ki 1:9 - 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

Then the king sent unto him a captain of fifty with his fifty,.... Not in honour to him, but to bring him by force if he refused to come willingly:

and he went up to him, and, behold, he sat on the top of an hill; generally supposed to be Mount Carmel:

and he spake unto him; at the bottom of the hill, so loud that he might hear him:

thou man of God; or the prophet of the Lord, as the Targum, as thou callest thyself; for this was said in a sneering, flouting, manner:

the king hath said, come down; and in the king's name he ordered him to come down, signifying, if he would not, he would send his men to fetch him down.

Gill: 2Ki 1:10 - 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

And Elijah answered and said to the captain of fifty, if I be a man of God,.... As I am, and thou shalt know it by the following token, though thou callest me so jeeringly:

then let fire come down from heaven, and consume thee and thy fifty; this he said not in a passion, and from a private spirit of revenge, but for the vindication of the honour and glory of God, and under the impulse of his spirit, who was abused through the insult on him as his prophet:

and there came down fire from heaven, and consumed him and his fifty; a flash of lightning, which destroyed them at once; the Lord hearkening to the voice of his prophet, in vindication of him in his office, and of his own glory.

Gill: 2Ki 1:11 - 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

Again also he sent unto him another captain of fifty with his fifty,.... The king, not being at all terrified with the awful judgment upon the former, sends another:

and he answered and said unto him, O man of God, thus hath the king said, come down quickly; he flouts the prophet in the same manner as the former, and in the king's name commands him to come down, and that immediately; which the king added to his orders, or he himself, signifying he would not be trifled with, if he did not come down directly, he would force him.

Gill: 2Ki 1:12 - And Elijah answered and said unto them

And Elijah answered and said unto them,.... The same as he had to the first captain, and made the same request of fire from heaven; which accordingly came down, and destroyed this captain and his fifty also.

Gill: 2Ki 1:13 - And he sent again a captain of the third fifty with his fifty // 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

And he sent again a captain of the third fifty with his fifty,.... Which was most daring and insolent, and showed him to be dreadfully hardened, to persist in his messages after such rebuffs: and the third captain of fifty went up; instead of calling to the prophet at the bottom of the hill as the other did, he went up to the top of it:

and came and fell on his knees before Elijah: in reverence of him as a prophet of the Lord, and under a dread of the power he was possessed of, of calling for fire from heaven on him and his men, as the former instances showed:

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: he owns their lives lay at his mercy; he begs they might be spared, since it was not in contempt of him, and through ill will to him as the prophet of the Lord, but in obedience to the king's command, that they were come to him.