2 Kings 1:15

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.

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}.

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.

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.

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

Context

This verse follows a dramatic series of events involving King Ahaziah of Israel and the prophet Elijah. King Ahaziah, having fallen ill, committed a grave sin by sending messengers to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron, rather than the Lord. Elijah, acting on divine instruction from the angel of the LORD, intercepted these messengers to declare God's judgment: Ahaziah would surely die. Prior to this verse, Ahaziah had dispatched two captains, each with fifty men, to seize Elijah. Both groups were consumed by fire from heaven as a direct consequence of their disrespectful and hostile approach to the prophet. This verse describes the command given to Elijah concerning the third captain, who, unlike his predecessors, approached Elijah with humility and pleaded for his life and the lives of his men.

Key Themes

  • Divine Protection and Assurance: The central message from the angel to Elijah is "be not afraid of him." This divine reassurance highlights God's unwavering protection for His faithful servants, even when they face powerful and hostile earthly rulers. It reminds us that God equips and safeguards those He sends on His behalf, ensuring their safety as they carry out His will.
  • Obedience to God's Command: Despite the previous dangerous encounters and the king's clear hostile intentions, Elijah immediately obeys the divine instruction: "And he arose, and went down with him unto the king." His prompt action demonstrates profound faith and trust in the Lord's power over human authority. This immediate and unwavering obedience is a hallmark of true prophetic ministry and a model for all believers.
  • God's Sovereignty: This passage powerfully illustrates God's ultimate authority over kings, prophets, and even the forces of nature (as seen in the previous fire from heaven). No human power, political influence, or military might can thwart God's will or harm His chosen servants without His express permission.

Linguistic Insights

  • The phrase "angel of the LORD" (Hebrew: mal’akh Yahweh) frequently appears in the Old Testament, often referring to a divine manifestation or messenger, sometimes interpreted as a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ, acting as God's representative and delivering His direct commands.
  • The command "be not afraid" (Hebrew: al-tira) is a recurring and significant theme throughout Scripture, frequently accompanying divine commissions and assurances of God's presence, protection, and help. It underscores the spiritual battle against fear when undertaking God's work.

Practical Application

This verse offers powerful encouragement for believers today. Just as Elijah was told "be not afraid" when facing a hostile king, we are called to overcome fear through faith and unwavering obedience to God's voice, especially when circumstances seem intimidating or perilous. It emphasizes the importance of trusting in God's protective hand as we carry out His will, knowing that He is sovereign over all earthly powers. Consider how God might be calling you to step out in faith despite apprehension, remembering the promise that God is with you, will strengthen you, and will uphold you.

Note: Commentary was generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please remember that only the commentary section is AI-generated. The main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are sourced from trusted and verified materials.

Cross-References

  • Isaiah 51:12

    I, [even] I, [am] he that comforteth you: who [art] thou, that thou shouldest be afraid of a man [that] shall die, and of the son of man [which] shall be made [as] grass;

  • Ezekiel 2:6

    ¶ And thou, son of man, be not afraid of them, neither be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns [be] with thee, and thou dost dwell among scorpions: be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they [be] a rebellious house.

  • Jeremiah 1:17

    Thou therefore gird up thy loins, and arise, and speak unto them all that I command thee: be not dismayed at their faces, lest I confound thee before them.

  • Genesis 15:1

    ¶ After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I [am] thy shield, [and] thy exceeding great reward.

  • Psalms 27:1

    ¶ [A Psalm] of David. The LORD [is] my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD [is] the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

  • Matthew 10:28

    And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

  • 2 Kings 1:3

    But the angel of the LORD said to Elijah the Tishbite, 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 Baalzebub the god of Ekron?
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