Paul Kretzmann Commentary - 2 King 1:1 - 1:8

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Paul Kretzmann Commentary - 2 King 1:1 - 1:8


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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:

Elijah Prophesies Ahaziah's Death

v. 1. Then Moab rebelled against Israel, after having been tributary since the time of David, 2Sa_8:2, after the death of Ahab. The success of the Syrians, not only in regaining their independence, but in administering a severe defeat to the forces of Israel, had probably encouraged the Moabites to take this step.

v. 2. And Ahaziah fell down through a lattice in his upper chamber that was in Samaria,
through a latticed window-opening such as were common in the Orient, and was sick, being severely injured by his fall. And he sent messengers, and said unto them, Go, enquire of Baal-zebub (Fly-god), the god of Ekron, the northernmost of the five Philistine city-states, whether I shall recover of this disease. So Ahaziah, probably at the advice of his wicked mother Jezebel, turned to the heathen idol for information and help, just as people in our days reject the truth of Scripture, but eagerly believe every form of superstition.

v. 3. But the Angel of the Lord,
the son of God as He revealed himself in the Old Testament, said to Elijah the Tishbite, who was still active in his prophetic office, 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? It was a sharp question of earnest reproof for this new evidence of wickedness in the king.

v. 4. Now, therefore, thus saith the Lord,
as a punishment upon the king for this new exhibition of idolatry, Thou shalt not come down from that bed on which thou art gone up, but shalt surely die. And Elijah departed, namely, to carry out the command of the Lord.

v. 5. And when the messengers turned back unto him,
the king of Israel, he, knowing that they could not have made the trip to Ekron in this short time, said unto them, Why are ye now turned back?

v. 6. And they said unto him, There came a man up to meet us,
a man unknown to the messengers,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? The blame which was placed upon them all by the prophet they now lay upon the king alone. Therefore thou shalt not come down from that bed on which thou art gone up, but shalt surely die.

v. 7. And he said unto them, What manner of man was he which came up to meet you,
literally, "What was the manner," the peculiarity, "of the man," what special mark of distinction did you note in his dress or bearing, and told you these words?

v. 8. And they answered him, He was an hairy man,
wearing a rough garment of camel's hair, and girt with a girdle of leather, instead of the customary one of linen or cotton, about his loins. His entire dress and appearance thus proclaimed the preacher of repentance, reproving the luxury of the people of his days. And he said, It is Elijah the Tishbite, he recognized him at once from the description given. The position of preachers of repentance is not a pleasant occupation, but they are needed in every age of the world's existence, especially also in these last days of sore distress.