2 Kings 1:17

So he died according to the word of the LORD which Elijah had spoken. And Jehoram reigned in his stead in the second year of Jehoram the son of Jehoshaphat king of Judah; because he had no son.

So he died {H4191} according to the word {H1697} of the LORD {H3068} which Elijah {H452} had spoken {H1696}. And Jehoram {H3088} reigned {H4427} in his stead in the second {H8147} year {H8141} of Jehoram {H3088} the son {H1121} of Jehoshaphat {H3092} king {H4428} of Judah {H3063}; because he had no son {H1121}.

So he died, in keeping with the word of ADONAI spoken through Eliyahu. Y'horam began to rule in place of him during the second year of Y'horam the son of Y'hoshafat king of Y'hudah, because he had no son.

So Ahaziah died according to the word of the LORD that Elijah had spoken. And since he had no son, Jehoram succeeded him in the second year of the reign of Jehoram son of Jehoshaphat over Judah.

So he died according to the word of Jehovah which Elijah had spoken. And Jehoram began to reign in his stead in the second year of Jehoram the son of Jehoshaphat king of Judah; because he had no son.

Commentary

This verse marks the concise conclusion to King Ahaziah's short and ill-fated reign over Israel, explicitly stating his death as a direct fulfillment of the prophetic word delivered by Elijah. It also introduces his successor, Jehoram, clarifying the lineage and the reason for the succession.

Context

King Ahaziah of Israel, son of Ahab and Jezebel, had injured himself in a fall. Instead of inquiring of the LORD, he sent messengers to consult Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron, about his recovery. This act of seeking guidance from a pagan deity was a grave offense against God, continuing the idolatrous practices of his parents. The prophet Elijah intercepted these messengers, delivering a stern message from the LORD: because Ahaziah had sought a false god instead of the God of Israel, he would not recover from his bed but would surely die. This message is detailed in 2 Kings 1:16, following the initial confrontation in 2 Kings 1:2. Verse 17 confirms the immediate and certain fulfillment of Elijah's prophecy.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment and Prophetic Fulfillment: The primary theme is the absolute certainty of God's word. Ahaziah's death is not an accident but a direct consequence and fulfillment of the divine judgment pronounced through Elijah. This underscores God's active involvement in the affairs of kings and nations.
  • Consequences of Idolatry and Disobedience: Ahaziah's sin was not merely seeking medical advice but seeking it from a false god, thereby rejecting the true God of Israel. His death serves as a stark reminder of the serious consequences of turning away from the Lord and engaging in idolatry, a recurring theme throughout the books of Kings.
  • God's Sovereignty: This verse powerfully demonstrates God's ultimate authority over life and death, and over the rise and fall of rulers. Even a king's succession is noted as being under divine oversight, as Jehoram reigns "because he had no son" – a detail that highlights God's hand in the lineage and leadership of Israel. For more on God's control over kings' hearts, see Proverbs 21:1.
  • Royal Succession: The verse clarifies the succession in the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Since Ahaziah had no son, his brother Jehoram (son of Ahab) became king. This Jehoram of Israel is distinct from Jehoram, the son of Jehoshaphat, who was king of Judah, whose reign is used as a chronological marker here.

Linguistic Insight

The phrase "according to the word of the LORD" (Hebrew: k'dvar YHWH) emphasizes the divine origin and authoritative nature of the prophecy. It is not merely Elijah's opinion or prediction, but the direct, unchangeable decree of God himself. The certainty of this phrase highlights God's faithfulness to His pronouncements, whether of blessing or judgment.

Significance and Application

This passage reinforces the timeless truth that God's word is reliable and always comes to pass. It serves as a powerful reminder for all generations that seeking guidance and help from sources other than God, especially those that contradict His commands, carries serious spiritual consequences. For believers, it's an encouragement to always turn to the Lord in times of trouble and to trust in His sovereignty, knowing that He is ultimately in control of all circumstances, including the rise and fall of leaders. The narrative also underscores the importance of obedience and the dangers of idolatry, urging us to put our complete faith and reliance on the one true God, as warned in passages like Deuteronomy 28:15.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Kings 3:1

    ¶ Now Jehoram the son of Ahab began to reign over Israel in Samaria the eighteenth year of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, and reigned twelve years.

  • 2 Kings 8:16

    ¶ And in the fifth year of Joram the son of Ahab king of Israel, Jehoshaphat [being] then king of Judah, Jehoram the son of Jehoshaphat king of Judah began to reign.

  • 2 Kings 8:17

    Thirty and two years old was he when he began to reign; and he reigned eight years in Jerusalem.

  • 1 Kings 22:51

    Ahaziah the son of Ahab began to reign over Israel in Samaria the seventeenth year of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, and reigned two years over Israel.
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