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2 Kings 1:6

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And they said unto him, There came a man up to meet us, 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 Baalzebub the god of Ekron? therefore thou shalt not come down from that bed on which thou art gone up, but shalt surely die.

And they said {H559} unto him, There came {H5927} a man {H376} up {H5927} to meet {H7125} us, and said {H559} unto us, Go {H3212}, turn again {H7725} unto the king {H4428} that sent {H7971} you, and say {H1696} unto him, Thus saith {H559} the LORD {H3068}, Is it not because there is not a God {H430} in Israel {H3478}, that thou sendest {H7971} to enquire {H1875} of Baalzebub {H1176} the god {H430} of Ekron {H6138}? therefore thou shalt not come down {H3381} from that bed {H4296} on which thou art gone up {H5927}, but shalt surely {H4191} die {H4191}.

They answered him, "A man came to meet us. He told us to go and return to the king who sent us, and tell him, 'Here is what ADONAI says: "Is it because there's no God in Isra'el that you're sending to consult Ba'al-Z'vuv the god of 'Ekron? Therefore you will never leave the bed you are lying on; you will certainly die."'"

They replied, “A man came up to meet us and said, ‘Go back to the king who sent you and tell him that this is what the LORD says: Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are sending these men to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron? Therefore you will not get up from the bed on which you are lying. You will surely die.’”

And they said unto him, There came up a man to meet us, and said unto us, Go, turn again unto the king that sent you, and say unto him, Thus saith Jehovah, Is it because there is no God in Israel, that thou sendest to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron? therefore thou shalt not come down from the bed whither thou art gone up, but shalt surely die.

Commentary

2 Kings 1:6 presents a pivotal moment in the reign of King Ahaziah of Israel, delivering a stark divine judgment through the prophet Elijah. The verse records the messengers' report back to the ailing king, relaying the powerful message they received from a man of God.

Historical and Cultural Context

King Ahaziah was the son of the infamous King Ahab and Queen Jezebel, rulers who had significantly promoted Baal worship in Israel. Following an injury from a fall, Ahaziah, instead of seeking the Lord God of Israel, sent messengers to inquire of Baalzebub, the pagan god of Ekron, regarding his recovery. This act was a profound spiritual offense, directly violating the First Commandment against having other gods before Yahweh. Ekron was one of the five Philistine city-states, and Baalzebub (meaning "lord of flies" or "lord of the dwelling") was a prominent deity there. Ahaziah's decision underscored the deep spiritual apostasy prevalent in the Northern Kingdom of Israel during this period, despite the continued presence of prophets like Elijah.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Sovereignty and Jealousy: The core of Elijah's message is a direct challenge to Ahaziah's faithlessness: "Is it not because there is not a God in Israel, that thou sendest to enquire of Baalzebub?" This powerfully asserts God's exclusive claim over Israel and His indignation at their turning to foreign deities. It emphasizes that God is present, powerful, and sufficient, and there is no need to seek answers elsewhere.
  • Consequences of Idolatry: The verse vividly illustrates the severe consequences of spiritual unfaithfulness. Ahaziah's choice to consult a pagan god results in an immediate and irreversible divine judgment: he "shalt not come down from that bed...but shalt surely die." This serves as a clear warning against syncretism and idolatry, highlighting the spiritual consequences of turning away from the true God.
  • Prophetic Authority: Elijah, though not explicitly named in this verse, acts as God's direct mouthpiece, delivering a message of judgment that would soon be fulfilled. This highlights the vital role of prophets in confronting royal and national sin, even when it means delivering unwelcome news. The messengers immediately recognized his authority and the divine nature of the message.

Linguistic Insights

The name Baalzebub itself is significant. While often translated as "lord of flies," some scholars suggest it might be a derogatory alteration of an original Philistine deity name like "Baal-zebul" (lord of the high place or prince), deliberately changed by the Israelites to mock the idol. This highlights the contempt with which Yahweh's followers viewed pagan gods, associating them with impurity and insignificance.

Related Scriptures

  • The initial inquiry to Baalzebub is detailed in 2 Kings 1:2.
  • Elijah's identity and appearance are further described in 2 Kings 1:8, confirming he is the "man" mentioned.
  • This episode echoes the broader theme of God's judgment against idolatry throughout Israel's history, as seen in passages like Judges 2:11 and Jeremiah 2:13, where God's people are rebuked for forsaking Him for false gods.

Practical Application

2 Kings 1:6 serves as a timeless reminder of the importance of seeking God first in all circumstances, especially in times of crisis or uncertainty. For modern believers, it cautions against placing trust in anything or anyone other than the Lord – whether it be worldly wisdom, superstitious practices, or even self-reliance – when facing life's challenges. The question, "Is it not because there is not a God in Israel?" challenges us to examine where our ultimate trust lies. It encourages us to cultivate a deep and exclusive reliance on God's sovereignty and provision, remembering that He is always present and sufficient.

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 (May 20, 2025) 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

  • Psalms 16:4 (3 votes)

    Their sorrows shall be multiplied [that] hasten [after] another [god]: their drink offerings of blood will I not offer, nor take up their names into my lips.

  • 1 Chronicles 10:13 (2 votes)

    So Saul died for his transgression which he committed against the LORD, [even] against the word of the LORD, which he kept not, and also for asking [counsel] of [one that had] a familiar spirit, to enquire [of it];

  • 1 Chronicles 10:14 (2 votes)

    And enquired not of the LORD: therefore he slew him, and turned the kingdom unto David the son of Jesse.

  • Isaiah 41:22 (2 votes)

    Let them bring [them] forth, and shew us what shall happen: let them shew the former things, what they [be], that we may consider them, and know the latter end of them; or declare us things for to come.

  • Isaiah 41:23 (2 votes)

    Shew the things that are to come hereafter, that we may know that ye [are] gods: yea, do good, or do evil, that we may be dismayed, and behold [it] together.

  • 2 Kings 1:2 (2 votes)

    And Ahaziah fell down through a lattice in his upper chamber that [was] in Samaria, and was sick: and he sent messengers, and said unto them, Go, enquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekron whether I shall recover of this disease.

  • 2 Kings 1:4 (2 votes)

    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.