◄ 2 Kings 1:3 ►
But the angel of the LORD said to Elijah the Tishbite, "Go up to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria and ask them, 'Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are on your way to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron?'
Study Bible
But the angel of the LORD
The phrase "angel of the LORD" is significant in the Hebrew Scriptures, often indicating a divine messenger with a special commission. The Hebrew word for "angel" is "mal'ak," which means "messenger." This suggests a direct intervention from God, emphasizing the seriousness of the message. In the context of 2 Kings, the angel of the LORD often appears to deliver critical messages, underscoring God's active involvement in the affairs of Israel.

said to Elijah the Tishbite
Elijah, whose name means "My God is Yahweh," is a central prophetic figure in the Old Testament. The designation "the Tishbite" refers to his origin from Tishbe in Gilead. Elijah's role as a prophet is to call Israel back to the worship of Yahweh, and his encounters with divine messengers highlight his unique relationship with God. This phrase sets the stage for Elijah's mission to confront the idolatry of Israel.

Go up and meet the messengers of the king of Samaria
The command to "go up" indicates urgency and divine authority. The "king of Samaria" refers to Ahaziah, the son of Ahab, who ruled the northern kingdom of Israel. Samaria was the capital of the northern kingdom, often associated with idolatry and apostasy. Elijah's mission to intercept the king's messengers underscores the confrontation between the worship of Yahweh and the pagan practices that had infiltrated Israel.

Say to them
This phrase introduces the prophetic message Elijah is to deliver. Prophets in the Old Testament often served as God's mouthpieces, conveying His words to the people. The directness of the command highlights the importance of the message and the need for immediate obedience.

Is it because there is no God in Israel
This rhetorical question challenges the faithlessness of the king and his court. It implies a rebuke for seeking guidance from foreign gods instead of the God of Israel. The question underscores the covenant relationship between Yahweh and Israel, reminding the people of their unique identity and calling.

that you are going to consult Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron?
"Baal-zebub" means "lord of the flies," a derogatory term for a Philistine deity worshiped in Ekron, one of the five Philistine cities. This phrase highlights the syncretism and idolatry that plagued Israel, as they turned to foreign gods for guidance. The mention of Ekron, a city outside of Israel, emphasizes the extent of Israel's spiritual decline. The confrontation with Baal-zebub serves as a reminder of the first commandment, which calls for exclusive worship of Yahweh.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Angel of the LORD
A divine messenger who delivers God's instructions to Elijah. In the Old Testament, the "angel of the LORD" often represents God's direct intervention.

2. Elijah the Tishbite
A prominent prophet in Israel known for his boldness in confronting idolatry and apostasy. Elijah's role is to deliver God's message to the king's messengers.

3. Messengers of the King of Samaria
Sent by King Ahaziah to inquire of Baal-zebub, these messengers are intercepted by Elijah with a message from God.

4. King of Samaria (Ahaziah)
The king of Israel who seeks guidance from a pagan deity, demonstrating a lack of faith in the God of Israel.

5. Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron
A Philistine deity whose name means "lord of the flies." Ahaziah's inquiry of this god highlights the spiritual decline in Israel.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty and Exclusivity
God alone is sovereign and worthy of worship. Seeking guidance from other sources reflects a lack of faith and understanding of His power.

The Role of Prophets
Prophets are God's messengers, tasked with delivering His truth, often in challenging circumstances. Like Elijah, we are called to stand firm in our faith and speak truth.

The Danger of Idolatry
Idolatry leads to spiritual decline and separation from God. We must guard our hearts against placing anything above God in our lives.

Divine Intervention
God actively intervenes in human affairs, often through unexpected means, to guide and correct His people.

Faithfulness in Adversity
Elijah's obedience in delivering God's message despite potential danger serves as a model for remaining faithful under pressure.
Bible Study Questions
1. What does the interaction between the angel of the LORD and Elijah teach us about God's communication with His people?

2. How does Elijah's response to the king's messengers challenge us to confront idolatry in our own lives?

3. In what ways can we ensure that we are seeking guidance from God rather than turning to modern-day "idols"?

4. How does the account of Elijah and Ahaziah illustrate the consequences of ignoring God's sovereignty?

5. Reflect on a time when you felt called to deliver a difficult truth. How can Elijah's example encourage you in similar situations?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 20:3
The commandment against having other gods before the LORD underscores the sin of Ahaziah's actions.

1 Kings 18:21
Elijah's challenge to the people of Israel to choose between God and Baal at Mount Carmel parallels his confrontation with Ahaziah's messengers.

Isaiah 45:5
God's declaration of His uniqueness and sovereignty contrasts with Ahaziah's reliance on a foreign god.
Sermons
Seeking After Strange Gods: its Cause and ConsequenceC.H. Irwin 2 Kings 1:1-4
AhaziahT. Cain.2 Kings 1:1-6
Elijah and the God of EkronH. T. Howat.2 Kings 1:1-6
False Religious AppealsJ. Parker, D. D.2 Kings 1:1-6
Prayer Through FearQuiver.2 Kings 1:1-6
Religion Only Needed in Trouble2 Kings 1:1-6
Worldly Royalty and Personal GodlinessHomilist2 Kings 1:1-6
Ahaziah's SicknessJ. Orr 2 Kings 1:1-8
Worldly Royalty and Personal GodlinessD. Thomas 2 Kings 1:1-8
People
Ahab, Ahaziah, Baalzebub, Elijah, Jehoram, Jehoshaphat, Joram
Places
Ekron, Moab, Samaria
Topics
Angel, Arise, Baal, Baalzebub, Baal-zebub, Ba'al-ze'bub, Consult, Directions, Ekron, Elijah, Eli'jah, Enquire, Inquire, Meet, Meeting, Messenger, Messengers, Rise, Samaria, Sama'ria, Speak, Spoken, Tishbite, Zebub
Dictionary of Bible Themes
2 Kings 1:3

     4140   angel of the Lord
     5408   messenger

2 Kings 1:1-6

     8616   prayerlessness
     8747   false gods

2 Kings 1:1-14

     5092   Elijah

2 Kings 1:1-18

     5366   king

2 Kings 1:2-3

     5811   compromise

Library
Whether the Sin of those who Crucified Christ was Most Grievous?
Objection 1: It would seem that the sin of Christ's crucifiers was not the most grievous. Because the sin which has some excuse cannot be most grievous. But our Lord Himself excused the sin of His crucifiers when He said: "Father, forgive them: for they know not what they do" (Lk. 23:34). Therefore theirs was not the most grievous sin. Objection 2: Further, our Lord said to Pilate (Jn. 19:11): "He that hath delivered Me to thee hath the greater sin." But it was Pilate who caused Christ to be crucified …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Whether it is Lawful to Curse an Irrational Creature?
Objection 1: It would seem that it is unlawful to curse an irrational creature. Cursing would seem to be lawful chiefly in its relation to punishment. Now irrational creatures are not competent subjects either of guilt or of punishment. Therefore it is unlawful to curse them. Objection 2: Further, in an irrational creature there is nothing but the nature which God made. But it is unlawful to curse this even in the devil, as stated above [2960](A[1]). Therefore it is nowise lawful to curse an irrational …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Answer to the Jewish Rabby's Letter.
WE Are now come to the letter of Mr. W's Jewish Rabby, whom Mr. W. calls his friend, and says his letter consists of calm and sedate reasoning, p. 55. I on the other hand can see no reason in it. But the reader than not need to rely upon my judgment. Therefore I will transcribe some parts of it, and then make some remarks. The argument of the letter is, that the story of Lazarus's being raised is an imposture; or else the Jews could not have been so wicked, as to be on that account provoked against …
Nathaniel Lardner—A Vindication of Three of Our Blessed Saviour's Miracles

An Address to a Soul So Overwhelmed with a Sense of the Greatness of Its Sins, that it Dares not Apply Itself to Christ with Any
1-4. The case described at large.--5. As it frequently occurs.--6. Granting all that the dejected soul charges on itself.--7. The invitations and promises of Christ give hope.--8. The reader urged, under all his burdens and fears, to an humble application to him. Which is accordingly exemplified in the concluding Reflection and Prayer. 1. I have now done with those unhappy creatures who despise the Gospel, and with those who neglect it. With pleasure do I now turn myself to those who will hear me …
Philip Doddridge—The Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul

Scriptures Showing the Sin and Danger of Joining with Wicked and Ungodly Men.
Scriptures Showing The Sin And Danger Of Joining With Wicked And Ungodly Men. When the Lord is punishing such a people against whom he hath a controversy, and a notable controversy, every one that is found shall be thrust through: and every one joined with them shall fall, Isa. xiii. 15. They partake in their judgment, not only because in a common calamity all shares, (as in Ezek. xxi. 3.) but chiefly because joined with and partakers with these whom God is pursuing; even as the strangers that join …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

The Assyrian Revival and the Struggle for Syria
Assur-nazir-pal (885-860) and Shalmaneser III. (860-825)--The kingdom of Urartu and its conquering princes: Menuas and Argistis. Assyria was the first to reappear on the scene of action. Less hampered by an ancient past than Egypt and Chaldaea, she was the sooner able to recover her strength after any disastrous crisis, and to assume again the offensive along the whole of her frontier line. Image Drawn by Faucher-Gudin, from a bas-relief at Koyunjik of the time of Sennacherib. The initial cut, …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 7

A Prayer when one Begins to be Sick.
O most righteous Judge, yet in Jesus Christ my gracious Father! I, wretched sinner, do here return unto thee, though driven with pain and sickness, like the prodigal child with want and hunger. I acknowledge that this sickness and pain comes not by blind chance or fortune, but by thy divine providence and special appointment. It is the stroke of thy heavy hand, which my sins have justly deserved; and the things that I feared are now fallen upon me (Job iii. 25.) Yet do I well perceive that in wrath …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

Kings
The book[1] of Kings is strikingly unlike any modern historical narrative. Its comparative brevity, its curious perspective, and-with some brilliant exceptions--its relative monotony, are obvious to the most cursory perusal, and to understand these things is, in large measure, to understand the book. It covers a period of no less than four centuries. Beginning with the death of David and the accession of Solomon (1 Kings i., ii.) it traverses his reign with considerable fulness (1 Kings iii.-xi.), …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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