2 Kings 1:15

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the angel {H4397} of the LORD {H3068} said {H1696} unto Elijah {H452}, Go down {H3381} with him: be not afraid {H3372} of him {H6440}. And he arose {H6965}, and went down {H3381} with him unto the king {H4428}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The angel of ADONAI said to Eliyahu, "Go down with him; don't be afraid of him." So he got up and went down with him to the king.

Berean Standard Bible

Then the angel of the LORD said to Elijah, “Go down with him. Do not be afraid of him.” So Elijah got up and went down with him to the king.

American Standard Version

And the angel of Jehovah said unto Elijah, Go down with him: be not afraid of him. And he arose, and went down with him unto the king.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Second Kings 1:15 marks a pivotal moment in Elijah's confrontation with King Ahaziah, where the angel of the LORD directly commands the prophet to descend from his vantage point and accompany the third captain to the king, explicitly assuring him not to fear. This divine directive, immediately followed by Elijah's unwavering obedience, underscores God's sovereign protection over His chosen servants and the non-negotiable nature of faith-filled submission to His will, even in the face of hostile royal authority.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the climax of a dramatic narrative unfolding in [2 Kings 1](/2_kings/1 "2 Kings 1 - Ahaziah's Rebellion and Elijah's Judgment"). King Ahaziah, having suffered an injury, defiantly sought counsel from Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron, rather than the true God of Israel. In response, the [angel of the LORD](/2_kings/1-3 "2 Kings 1:3 - The Angel of the LORD's Message") dispatched Elijah to intercept Ahaziah's messengers with a dire prophecy of the king's impending death. Ahaziah's subsequent attempts to seize Elijah were met with overwhelming divine judgment: two captains, each with fifty men, were consumed by fire from heaven due to their disrespectful and arrogant demands that Elijah "come down." The narrative builds tension, highlighting the escalating conflict between divine authority and human rebellion, culminating in the third captain's humble plea for his life and the lives of his men, which sets the stage for the angel's command in [2 Kings 1:15](/2_kings/1-15 "2 Kings 1:15 - Elijah's Obedience to the Angel of the LORD").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The reign of King Ahaziah (c. 850-849 BC) represents a continuation of the Omride dynasty's syncretistic worship, particularly the veneration of Baal, which had been aggressively promoted by his parents, Ahab and Jezebel. Consulting Baal-zebub, a Philistine deity associated with healing and divination, was a direct affront to the covenant God of Israel and a common practice among apostate kings who sought power and guidance outside of Yahweh. Prophets like Elijah served as God's direct spokesmen, often confronting royal authority and challenging idolatry, a dangerous role that frequently put them at odds with the ruling elite. The dispatch of captains with fifty men was a standard military operation, but their fate demonstrated God's absolute sovereignty over human power and His protection of His prophets. The humility shown by the third captain was culturally significant, as it contrasted sharply with the typical arrogant demands of royal emissaries, indicating a recognition of Elijah's divine power.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within [2 Kings](/2_kings/1 "The Book of 2 Kings") and the broader prophetic tradition. Firstly, it underscores **Divine Sovereignty** over all earthly powers, demonstrating that God's will cannot be thwarted by human defiance, even that of a king. The repeated judgment by fire against those who oppose God's prophet serves as a stark reminder of His ultimate authority. Secondly, it highlights **Divine Protection and Assurance** for God's faithful servants. Despite the clear danger posed by the king, the angel's command "be not afraid of him" reassures Elijah, emphasizing that God safeguards those who carry out His mission, echoing similar promises found in [Isaiah 41:10](/isaiah/41-10 "Isaiah 41:10 - Do not fear, for I am with you"). Finally, Elijah's immediate and unqualified **Obedience to God's Command** serves as a model of profound faith and trust, illustrating that true prophetic ministry is characterized by submission to the divine word, regardless of personal risk, as seen in the lives of many biblical figures who put their trust in God's power over human authority, such as in [Psalm 118:6](/psalm/118-6 "Psalm 118:6 - The Lord is on my side; I will not fear").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Angel of the LORD (Hebrew, _mal’akh Yahweh_):** This recurring Old Testament phrase refers to a divine messenger, often understood as a manifestation of God Himself or a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ. In this context, the "angel of the LORD" acts as God's direct representative, delivering an authoritative command and a divine assurance to Elijah, thus lending ultimate weight and legitimacy to the instruction. The appearance signifies God's direct involvement and intervention in the unfolding events.
* **Be not afraid (Hebrew, _al-tira_):** This imperative is a common biblical idiom, frequently accompanying divine commissions or assurances of God's presence and protection. While Elijah had already demonstrated immense courage by confronting the king's messengers and calling down fire, this command is not necessarily an indictment of his fear, but rather a divine confirmation and empowerment for the specific, dangerous task of facing the king directly. It serves as a spiritual strengthening, reminding Elijah of God's unwavering support and the futility of human fear when God is sovereign.
* **Went down (Hebrew, _vayyered_):** The verb "went down" implies a descent, likely from a high place (perhaps Mount Carmel or another elevated prophetic retreat) to the king's palace or residence. This geographical movement symbolically represents Elijah's humble obedience in leaving his place of divine power and security to enter the dangerous realm of the king's court. It highlights the prophet's willingness to go wherever God commanded, even into hostile territory.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the angel of the LORD said unto Elijah":** This opening phrase establishes the divine origin and authority of the subsequent command. It underscores that Elijah's actions are not his own initiative but a direct response to God's explicit instruction, reinforcing his role as God's obedient messenger.
* **"Go down with him: be not afraid of him.":** This is a two-fold divine command. "Go down with him" instructs Elijah to accompany the third, humble captain, signifying that this captain's respectful approach has found favor with God, unlike the previous two. The crucial "be not afraid of him" is a powerful reassurance, directly addressing any natural apprehension Elijah might feel about confronting a king who has already sought his capture and death. It is a divine promise of protection and empowerment for the task ahead.
* **"And he arose, and went down with him unto the king.":** This clause highlights Elijah's immediate and complete obedience. "He arose" indicates a prompt and decisive action, while "went down with him unto the king" confirms his full compliance with the divine directive. This demonstrates Elijah's profound faith and trust in God's word, prioritizing divine command over personal safety or the king's formidable power.

#### Literary Devices
The passage in [2 Kings 1](/2_kings/1 "2 Kings 1 - Ahaziah's Rebellion and Elijah's Judgment") and specifically [2 Kings 1:15](/2_kings/1-15 "2 Kings 1:15 - Elijah's Obedience to the Angel of the LORD") employs several effective literary devices. **Contrast** is paramount, particularly between the arrogance and hostility of the first two captains and the humility and respectful plea of the third. This sharp distinction highlights God's response to different human attitudes towards His prophet. The repeated attempts to seize Elijah, followed by the dramatic divine judgment of fire, create a powerful sense of **Dramatic Irony** and **Foreshadowing**, where the king's attempts to assert control only lead to his downfall, and the divine power demonstrated against his emissaries foreshadows his own impending death. The appearance of the "angel of the LORD" functions as a **Theophany** (or Angelophany), signifying direct divine intervention and validating Elijah's prophetic authority. Finally, the succinctness of Elijah's response, "And he arose, and went down with him unto the king," exemplifies **Conciseness** and **Understatement**, powerfully conveying his unwavering obedience without needing elaborate description.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The profound theological truth embedded in [2 Kings 1:15](/2_kings/1-15 "2 Kings 1:15 - Elijah's Obedience to the Angel of the LORD") is God's absolute sovereignty over all earthly powers and His unwavering commitment to protect and empower His faithful servants. Elijah's immediate obedience, despite the extreme danger, serves as a powerful testament to the nature of true faith – a trust that transcends human fear and relies entirely on God's divine assurance. This passage teaches that when God commands, He also provides the necessary courage and protection, rendering human opposition ultimately futile. It underscores that the ultimate authority rests not with kings or armies, but with the LORD, who vindicates His word and His prophets.

* [Psalm 27:1](/psalm/27-1 "Psalm 27:1 - The Lord is my light and my salvation")
* [Isaiah 41:10](/isaiah/41-10 "Isaiah 41:10 - Do not fear, for I am with you")
* [Hebrews 13:6](/hebrews/13-6 "Hebrews 13:6 - The Lord is my helper; I will not fear")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Elijah's encounter in [2 Kings 1:15](/2_kings/1-15 "2 Kings 1:15 - Elijah's Obedience to the Angel of the LORD") offers timeless encouragement and challenge for believers today. We, too, are often called to "go down" into situations that evoke fear or discomfort – whether it's sharing our faith, standing for truth in a hostile environment, or pursuing a challenging calling. The divine command, "be not afraid," resonates deeply, reminding us that God's presence and protection are guaranteed when we are acting in obedience to His will. Elijah's swift and unquestioning response serves as a powerful model of faith; he did not hesitate or negotiate, but immediately acted on the divine word. This passage compels us to examine our own fears and ask whether they are hindering our obedience to God. It calls us to trust that God is sovereign over every circumstance and every human authority, and that His power is far greater than any opposition we might face.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life might God be calling you to "go down" into a difficult or intimidating situation, trusting in His protection?**
* **How does Elijah's immediate obedience challenge your own willingness to act on God's commands, especially when fear or uncertainty is present?**
* **What specific fears prevent you from fully embracing God's will, and how can the truth of God's sovereignty, as demonstrated in this passage, help you overcome them?**

### FAQ
**Why did the angel tell Elijah not to be afraid of the king, when Elijah had already demonstrated such boldness?**

Answer: While Elijah had indeed displayed immense courage in confronting Ahaziah's messengers and calling down fire, the command "be not afraid" in [2 Kings 1:15](/2_kings/1-15 "2 Kings 1:15 - Elijah's Obedience to the Angel of the LORD") serves a multifaceted purpose. Firstly, it's a divine assurance for a specific, direct, and potentially deadly confrontation with the king himself, a situation distinct from his previous encounters with the captains. Even the boldest prophets are human and can experience natural apprehension. Secondly, it reinforces the divine legitimacy of the mission; God is explicitly telling Elijah that he is protected and empowered to deliver this final, direct word to the king. It's less about Elijah's personal courage and more about God's unwavering support and the certainty of His protective presence, ensuring that Elijah would fulfill his prophetic duty without faltering.

**What is the significance of the third captain's humility compared to the first two?**

Answer: The stark contrast between the first two captains and the third is highly significant. The first two captains approached Elijah with arrogant demands, ordering him to "come down" as if he were subject to their authority. This disrespect for God's prophet was an affront to God Himself, resulting in their fiery judgment. The third captain, however, approached with profound humility, kneeling before Elijah and pleading for his life and the lives of his men. This act of humility and recognition of Elijah's divine authority found favor with God. It demonstrates that God responds differently to genuine humility and respect for His anointed servants than to pride and defiance, illustrating the principle that "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble" ([James 4:6](/james/4-6 "James 4:6 - God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of Elijah's fearless obedience in [2 Kings 1:15](/2_kings/1-15 "2 Kings 1:15 - Elijah's Obedience to the Angel of the LORD") finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment. Elijah, as a prophet empowered by God's Spirit to confront sin and declare divine judgment, foreshadows Jesus Christ, the ultimate Prophet and King. Just as the "angel of the LORD" (potentially a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ himself) commanded and protected Elijah, so too did God the Father send and sustain His Son in His mission. Jesus, like Elijah, faced immense hostility from earthly authorities ([Luke 23:1-25](/luke/23 "Luke 23 - Jesus Before Pilate and Herod")), yet He perfectly obeyed the Father's will, even to the point of death on a cross ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Obedient to death on a cross")). The divine assurance "be not afraid" given to Elijah echoes Christ's own comforting words to His disciples, urging them not to fear those who can kill the body but cannot touch the soul ([Matthew 10:28](/matthew/10-28 "Matthew 10:28 - Do not fear those who kill the body")). Ultimately, the triumph of God's will through Elijah, despite royal opposition, points to Christ's ultimate victory over all powers and authorities, disarming them through His cross and resurrection ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Triumphing over principalities and powers")), establishing His eternal kingdom where no earthly fear can prevail against His divine authority.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.