2 Kings 1:4

Now therefore thus saith the LORD, Thou shalt not come down from that bed on which thou art gone up, but shalt surely die. And Elijah departed.

Now therefore thus saith {H559} the LORD {H3068}, Thou shalt not come down {H3381} from that bed {H4296} on which thou art gone up {H5927}, but shalt surely {H4191} die {H4191}. And Elijah {H452} departed {H3212}.

Therefore ADONAI says, "You will never leave the bed you are lying on; you will certainly die."'" Then Eliyahu left.

Therefore this is what the LORD says: ‘You will not get up from the bed on which you are lying. You will surely die.’” So Elijah departed.

Now therefore thus saith Jehovah, Thou shalt not come down from the bed whither thou art gone up, but shalt surely die. And Elijah departed.

Commentary

2 Kings 1:4 delivers a stark message of divine judgment against King Ahaziah of Israel, pronounced by the prophet Elijah.

Context of 2 Kings 1:4

This verse immediately follows King Ahaziah's injury from a fall and his subsequent decision to consult Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron, rather than the God of Israel. Ahaziah was the son of the infamously wicked King Ahab and Queen Jezebel, and he continued their legacy of idolatry (see 1 Kings 16:30). Instead of seeking the Lord for healing or guidance, his first impulse was to turn to a pagan deity, a direct violation of the covenant and the first commandment (Exodus 20:3). Elijah intercepts Ahaziah's messengers and delivers this severe pronouncement directly from the LORD.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Judgment for Idolatry: The primary message is God's swift and certain judgment against Ahaziah's blatant act of spiritual rebellion and idolatry. His turning to a false god, Baal-zebub, instead of the true God, sealed his fate.
  • Sovereignty of God: Even in a seemingly personal crisis (Ahaziah's injury), God demonstrates His ultimate authority and knowledge of human actions. He sees Ahaziah's heart and his misplaced trust.
  • Prophetic Authority: Elijah acts as God's unyielding mouthpiece, delivering an unalterable decree. The phrase "thus saith the LORD" underscores that this is not Elijah's personal opinion, but a direct revelation from God Himself.
  • Consequences of Sin: The verse vividly illustrates the immediate and irreversible consequences of profound spiritual disobedience. Ahaziah's actions lead directly to his death, highlighting the biblical principle that "the wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23).

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "thou shalt surely die" is a powerful declaration in the KJV. In the original Hebrew, this construction (an infinitive absolute followed by a finite verb) emphasizes the absolute certainty and inevitability of the pronouncement. It's not merely a prediction, but a divinely ordained certainty – "dying, you shall die." This reinforces the finality of God's judgment on Ahaziah's life.

Practical Application

2 Kings 1:4 serves as a timeless reminder of the importance of seeking God above all else, especially in times of difficulty or crisis. It challenges us to examine where we turn for help, comfort, or answers when facing life's challenges. Do we consult worldly sources, or do we seek the Lord, who is the ultimate source of wisdom and healing? The passage underscores that spiritual choices have real, often profound, consequences. It encourages believers to cultivate a consistent reliance on God and to shun any form of spiritual compromise or idolatry, understanding that true help comes only from Him.

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

  • Ezekiel 18:4

    Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.

  • Genesis 2:17

    But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

  • Genesis 3:4

    And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:

  • 2 Kings 1:16

    And he said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Forasmuch as thou hast sent messengers to enquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekron, [is it] not because [there is] no God in Israel to enquire of his word? therefore thou shalt not come down off that bed on which thou art gone up, but shalt surely die.

  • Proverbs 11:19

    ¶ As righteousness [tendeth] to life: so he that pursueth evil [pursueth it] to his own death.

  • 1 Samuel 28:19

    Moreover the LORD will also deliver Israel with thee into the hand of the Philistines: and to morrow [shalt] thou and thy sons [be] with me: the LORD also shall deliver the host of Israel into the hand of the Philistines.

  • 1 Kings 14:12

    Arise thou therefore, get thee to thine own house: [and] when thy feet enter into the city, the child shall die.
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