2 Reis 1

2 Reis 1

Morgan - Is it because there is no God in Israel, that ye go to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron?-2 Kings 1.3. Ahaziah the son of Ahab had succeeded his father upon the throne of Israel. He was not so strong a personality as was his father, but he gave himself wholly to the most abominable idolatry, in that he served and worshipped Baal. In the midst of difficulties created by the fact that Israel was at war with Moab, he sought counsel from Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron. It was then that Elijah, who had been in seclusion, suddenly appeared, and asked this question. Again it was a questionvibrant with satire. Baal-zebub was no god. The God of Israel was God, and beside Him there was none else. And yet this man Ahaziah, excluded by his wickedness from the true God, sought counsel of one who was no god! And that is ever so. Men cannot live without some kind of traffic with powers supernatural, and so superior to themselves. When they are cut off from direct communication with God, they turn to the under-world, to those dark and sinister forces which are no gods. That is the meaning of all forms of spiritism. God is ever available to man, but if man by sin exclude himself from God, then he turns to false methods of dealing with the supernatural. Such methods are all, and always, destructive. Sooner or later, God breaks in again upon the soul, if not in healing revelation in response to penitence, then in swift judgment. 2 Kings 1:4 “Now therefore thus says the LORD, ‘You shall not come down from the bed where you have gone up, but you shall surely die.’” Then Elijah departed. KJV 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. BGT 2 Kings 1:4 καὶ οὐχ οὕτως ὅτι τάδε λέγει κύριος ἡ κλίνη ἐφ᾽ ἧς ἀνέβης ἐκεῖ οὐ καταβήσῃ ἀπ᾽ αὐτῆς ὅτι ἐκεῖ θανάτῳ ἀποθανῇ καὶ ἐπορεύθη Ηλιου καὶ εἶπεν πρὸς αὐτούς LXE 2 Kings 1:4 For thus saith the Lord, The bed on which thou art gone up, thou shalt not come down from it, for thou shalt surely die. And Eliu went, and said so to them. NET 2 Kings 1:4 Therefore this is what the LORD says, "You will not leave the bed you lie on, for you will certainly die!"'" So Elijah went on his way. CSB 2 Kings 1:4 Therefore, this is what the LORD says: 'You will not get up from your sickbed-- you will certainly die.'" Then Elijah left. ESV 2 Kings 1:4 Now therefore thus says the LORD, You shall not come down from the bed to which you have gone up, but you shall surely die.'" So Elijah went. NIV 2 Kings 1:4 Therefore this is what the LORD says: 'You will not leave the bed you are lying on. You will certainly die!' " So Elijah went. NLT 2 Kings 1:4 Now, therefore, this is what the LORD says: You will never leave the bed you are lying on; you will surely die.' " So Elijah went to deliver the message. Ge 2:17 3:4 Nu 26:65 1Sa 28:19 1Ki 14:12 Pr 11:19 14:32 Eze 18:4 ELIJAH INTERCEPTS KING'S MESSENGERS TO BAAL Now therefore thus says the LORD (Jehovah), ‘You shall not come down from the bed where you have gone up, but you shall surely die.’” - The Great Physician, Yahweh, tells the messengers to relay to King Ahaziah that "Your illness is terminal!" While this verse does not say Elijah explained to the messengers why the death sentence was given to the king, it is clear Elijah did give the reason for the death sentence because they were able to explain it to the king in 2Ki 1:6. Then Elijah departed - His mission was completed with his interception of the king's messengers, but his mission was not yet fully accomplished as described in subsequent passages. As an aside, Elijah is by now quite experienced in delivering bad news to bad kings! 2 Kings 1:5 When the messengers returned to him he said to them, “Why have you returned?” MESSENGERS RETURN TO KING AZARIAH When the messengers returned to him he said to them, “Why have you returned?” - King Azariah is asking why they have returned presumably because they came back much sooner then would be expected for the 120 mile round trip to Ekron to obtain Baal-zebub's opinion. We can estimate that Samaria to Ekron and back would have taken about 6 days.. One has to wonder what these messengers were they expecting to hear from a lifeless idol? An idol clearly could not have spoken to them. Perhaps a "priest" of the idol would serve as a sham interpreter for the mute Baal! Yahweh's "interruption of Ahaziah’s mission is, if the king could only see, a last opportunity." Donald Wiseman on Yahweh interrupting Ahaziah's attempt to consult with an idol - If, however, Yahweh is severe, He is at the same moment merciful. His interruption of Ahaziah’s mission is, if the king could only see, a last opportunity. Yahweh did not allow Ahaziah’s idolatry to proceed in peace but invaded his space and rubbed his face in the first commandment again (Ex 20:3-4+). Again we see our uncomfortable God: Yahweh is furious, not tolerant; holy, not reassuring; loving, not nice. But there is love in His fury. He won’t let you walk the path to idolatry easily; His mercy litters the way with roadblocks. That is a wonder considering He so detests our idols. (ED: AMEN OR OH MY!) (1 and 2 Kings: An Introduction and Commentary) 2 Kings 1:6 They said to him, “A man came up to meet us and said to us, ‘Go, return to the king who sent you and say to him, “Thus says the LORD, ‘Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are sending to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron? Therefore you shall not come down from the bed where you have gone up, but shall surely die.’”’” KJV 2 Kings 1:6 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. BGT 2 Kings 1:6 καὶ εἶπαν πρὸς αὐτόν ἀνὴρ ἀνέβη εἰς συνάντησιν ἡμῶν καὶ εἶπεν πρὸς ἡμᾶς δεῦτε ἐπιστράφητε πρὸς τὸν βασιλέα τὸν ἀποστείλαντα ὑμᾶς καὶ λαλήσατε πρὸς αὐτόν τάδε λέγει κύριος εἰ παρὰ τὸ μὴ εἶναι θεὸν ἐν Ισραηλ σὺ πορεύῃ ζητῆσαι ἐν τῇ Βααλ μυῖαν θεὸν Ακκαρων οὐχ οὕτως ἡ κλίνη ἐφ᾽ ἧς ἀνέβης ἐκεῖ οὐ καταβήσῃ ἀπ᾽ αὐτῆς ὅτι θανάτῳ ἀποθανῇ LXE 2 Kings 1:6 And they said to him, A man came up to meet us, and said to us, Go, return to the king that sent you, and say to him, Thus saith the Lord, Is it because there is no God in Israel, that thou goest to enquire of Baal fly, the God of Accaron? it shall not be so: the bed on which thou art gone up, thou shalt not come down from it, for thou shalt surely die. NET 2 Kings 1:6 They replied, "A man came up to meet us. He told us, "Go back to the king who sent you and tell him, 'This is what the LORD says: "You must think there is no God in Israel! That explains why you are sending for an oracle from Baal Zebub, the god of Ekron. Therefore you will not leave the bed you lie on, for you will certainly die."'" CSB 2 Kings 1:6 They replied, "A man came to meet us and said, 'Go back to the king who sent you and declare to him: This is what the LORD says: Is it because there is no God in Israel that you're sending these men to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron? Therefore, you will not get up from your sickbed-- you will certainly die.'" ESV 2 Kings 1:6 And they said to him, "There came a man to meet us, and said to us, 'Go back to the king who sent you, and say to him, Thus says the LORD, Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are sending to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron? Therefore you shall not come down from the bed to which you have gone up, but you shall surely die.'" NIV 2 Kings 1:6 "A man came to meet us," they replied. "And he said to us, 'Go back to the king who sent you and tell him, "This is what the LORD says: Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are sending men to consult Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron? Therefore you will not leave the bed you are lying on. You will certainly die!" ' " NLT 2 Kings 1:6 They replied, "A man came up to us and told us to go back to the king and give him this message. 'This is what the LORD says: Is there no God in Israel? Why are you sending men to Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron, to ask whether you will recover? Therefore, because you have done this, you will never leave the bed you are lying on; you will surely die.'" They said to him: Isa 41:22-23 therefore: 2Ki 1:3,4 1Ch 10:13,14 Ps 16:4 AZARIAH'S MESSENGERS CONVEY MESSAGE OF DOOM They said to him, “A man came up to meet us - The relate how Elijah (whom they did not know or recognize) encountered them on their ill-fated, evil journey to Ekron. And said to us, ‘Go, return to the king who sent you and say to him, “Thus says the LORD (Jehovah), ‘Is it because (term of explanation) there is no God (Elohim) in Israel that you are sending to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron? Therefore (term of conclusion - a very bad conclusion!) you shall not come down from the bed where you have gone up, but shall surely die" - Note they emphasize the message is from the LORD not the hairy man (2Ki 1:8). The messengers also state the reason for Yahweh's message with a rhetorical question. Now this would have been the opportunity for Ahaziah to fall on his face and cry out to God for mercy. But his heart was hardened to the LORD (cf Acts 7:51+), and thus his course was irrevocably, divinely determined. He was bound for Sheol and eternal separation from Yahweh, as are all men and women who reject His great mercies in the Gospel of His Son Jesus Christ (2Th 1:8,9+). 2 Kings 1:7 He said to them, “What kind of man was he who came up to meet you and spoke these words to you?” NET 2 Kings 1:7 The king asked them, "Describe the appearance of this man who came up to meet you and told you these things." CSB 2 Kings 1:7 The king asked them, "What sort of man came up to meet you and spoke those words to you?" ESV 2 Kings 1:7 He said to them, "What kind of man was he who came to meet you and told you these things?" NIV 2 Kings 1:7 The king asked them, "What kind of man was it who came to meet you and told you this?" NLT 2 Kings 1:7 "What sort of man was he?" the king demanded. "What did he look like?" NRS 2 Kings 1:7 He said to them, "What sort of man was he who came to meet you and told you these things?" NJB 2 Kings 1:7 He said, 'This man who met you and said all this, what was he like?' NAB 2 Kings 1:7 The king asked them, "What was the man like who came up to you and said these things to you?" YLT 2 Kings 1:7 And he saith unto them, 'What is the fashion of the man who hath come up to meet you, and speaketh unto you these words?' GWN 2 Kings 1:7 The king asked them, "What was the man like who told you this?" What kind of man was he Jdg 8:18 1Sa 28:14 AZAHIAH INQUIRES ABOUT IDENTITY OF MESSENGER He said to them, “What kind of man was he who came up to meet you and spoke these words to you?” - Basically, Azariah is saying "Describe the appearance of this man." 2 Kings 1:8 They answered him, “He was a hairy man with a leather girdle bound about his loins.” And he said, “It is Elijah the Tishbite.” KJV 2 Kings 1:8 And they answered him, He was an hairy man, and girt with a girdle of leather about his loins. And he said, It is Elijah the Tishbite. BGT 2 Kings 1:8 καὶ εἶπον πρὸς αὐτόν ἀνὴρ δασὺς καὶ ζώνην δερματίνην περιεζωσμένος τὴν ὀσφὺν αὐτοῦ καὶ εἶπεν Ηλιου ὁ Θεσβίτης οὗτός ἐστιν LXE 2 Kings 1:8 And they said to him, He was a hairy man, and girt with a leathern girdle about his loins. And he said, This is Eliu the Thesbite. NET 2 Kings 1:8 They replied, "He was a hairy man and had a leather belt tied around his waist." The king said, "He is Elijah the Tishbite." CSB 2 Kings 1:8 They replied, "A hairy man with a leather belt around his waist." He said, "It's Elijah the Tishbite." ESV 2 Kings 1:8 They answered him, "He wore a garment of hair, with a belt of leather about his waist." And he said, "It is Elijah the Tishbite." NIV 2 Kings 1:8 They replied, "He was a man with a garment of hair and with a leather belt around his waist." The king said, "That was Elijah the Tishbite." NLT 2 Kings 1:8 They replied, "He was a hairy man, and he wore a leather belt around his waist." "Elijah from Tishbe!" the king exclaimed. NRS 2 Kings 1:8 They answered him, "A hairy man, with a leather belt around his waist." He said, "It is Elijah the Tishbite." NJB 2 Kings 1:8 'A man wearing a hair cloak', they answered, 'and a leather loincloth.' 'It was Elijah the Tishbite,' he said. NAB 2 Kings 1:8 "Wearing a hairy garment," they replied, "with a leather girdle about his loins." "It is Elijah the Tishbite!" he exclaimed. YLT 2 Kings 1:8 And they say unto him, 'A man -- hairy, and a girdle of skin girt about his loins;' and he saith, 'He is Elijah the Tishbite.' an hairy man: Isa 20:2 Zec 13:4 Mt 3:4 11:8 Lu 1:17 Rev 11:3 ELIJAH'S UNUSUAL APPEARANCE They answered him, “He was a hairy man with a leather (Heb - belt of skin) girdle bound about his loins.” - He was a hairy man not because he was inherently hirsute (although he may well have been - see note below), but primarily because his suit was hairy! This detail would help us understand why the king's messengers were willing to stop and listen to Elijah and not discount him as some kind of "religious nut." His appearance would probably arrest most people's attention. Of course, one cannot discount that the sovereign LORD made sure the men stopped and heard the message. NET Note on a hairy man - Hebrew literally reads “an owner of hair.” (ED: "possessor of hair") This idiomatic expression indicates that Elijah was very hairy. For other examples where the idiom “owner of” is used to describe a characteristic of someone, see HALOT 143 s.v. בַּעַל. For example, an “owner of dreams” is one who frequently has dreams (Gen 37:19) and an “owner of anger” is a hot-tempered individual (Prov 22:24). ESV Study Bible (borrow) on a hairy man - - The “hair” could be either animal or human, which is why translations of the Hebrew have varied between “garment of hair” and “hairy” (i.e., long-haired, bearded). John MacArthur on a hairy man - This has been interpreted in two ways: 1) Elijah was physically hairy; or 2) Elijah wore a garment made of hair. The language supports the second viewpoint that Elijah wore a coarse wool garment girded at the waist with a leather belt. Zechariah 13:4 describes such a garment as belonging to prophets (cf. Mt 7:15). Further, the NT describes John the Baptist, who came in the spirit and likeness of Elijah, as clothed in camel's hair (Mt 3:4). (Borrow) I like John C Whitcomb's comment on Elijah's appearance -- The king’s messengers were stopped en route by God’s war machine, equipped with nothing but a garment of hair and a leather girdle (ED: AH, YES, BUT ALSO EQUIPPED WITH THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT! - Eph 6:17+). This dress was a forceful rebuke of the sinful luxury of the aristocracy of Israel, and became such a symbol of prophetic power that false prophets would “wear a hairy mantle to deceive” (Zech. 13:4+)! Speaking of Elijah’s later counterpart, John the Baptist, our Lord asked: “What went ye out to see? A man clothed in soft raiment?” (Matt. 11:8+; cf. Mt 3:4+). But it was more than his rough garments and rugged visage that gave him power against Baal’s henchmen – it was special authority from God Himself. (Borrow Solomon to the Exile page 64) (bolding added) Keil and Delitzsch comment on a hairy man - This does not mean a man with a luxuriant growth of hair, but refers to the hairy dress, i.e., the garment made of sheep-skin or goat-skin or coarse camelhair, which was wrapped round his body; (2 Kings 2:8; 1 Kings 19:13), or (Zech. 13:4, cf. Matt. 3:4+, Heb. 11:37), which was worn by the prophets, not as mere ascetics, but as preachers of repentance, the rough garment denoting the severity of the divine judgments upon the effeminate nation, which revelled in luxuriance and worldly lust. And this was also in keeping with “the leather girdle,” (Matt. 3:4+), whereas the ordinary girdle was of cotton or linen, and often very costly. (bolding added) Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge - That is, he wore a rough garment, either made of camels' hair, as that of John Baptist, or of a skin, dressed with the hair on. Sir J. Chardin informs us, in a MS. note on this place, cited by Mr. Harmer, that the eastern dervishes and fakeers are clothed just as Elijah was, with a hairy garment, girded with a leathern girdle. And he said, “It is Elijah the Tishbite.” - Azariah immediately recognizes the man was Elijah, either because he may have seen him as a child when he appeared before his father Ahab, or possibly because of his reputation for such an unusual wardrobe. ELIJAH THE TISHBITE - 6v - 1 Ki. 17:1; 1 Ki. 21:17; 1 Ki. 21:28; 2 Ki. 1:3; 2 Ki. 1:8; 2 Ki. 9:36 QUESTION - Who was Elijah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org ANSWER - The prophet Elijah is one of the most interesting and colorful people in the Bible, and God used him during an important time in Israel’s history to oppose a wicked king and bring revival to the land. Elijah’s ministry marked the beginning of the end of Baal worship in Israel. Elijah’s life was filled with turmoil. At times he was bold and decisive, and at other times fearful and tentative. He alternately demonstrates victory and defeat, followed by recovery. Elijah knew both the power of God and the depths of depression. Elijah, a prophet of God whose name means “my God is the Lord,” came from Tishbeh in Gilead, but nothing is known of his family or birth. We first meet Elijah in 1 Kings 17:1 when he suddenly appears to challenge Ahab, an evil king who ruled the northern kingdom from 874 to 853 BC. Elijah prophesies a drought to come upon the whole land as consequence for Ahab’s evil (1 Kings 17:1–7). Warned by God, Elijah hides near the brook of Cherith where he is fed by ravens. As the drought and famine in the land deepen, Elijah meets with a widow in a neighboring country, and, through her obedience to Elijah’s request, God provides food enough for Elijah, the woman, and her son. Miraculously, the widow’s barrel of flour and jar of oil never run out (1 Kings 17:8–16). The lesson for the believer is that, if we walk in fellowship with the Lord and obey Him, we will be open to His will. And when we are in God’s will, He fulfills all of our needs, and His mercy to us never runs short. We next see Elijah as the central character in a face-off with the prophets of the false god Baal on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18:17-40). The prophets of Baal call upon their god all day long to rain fire from heaven to no avail. Then Elijah builds an altar of stones, digs a ditch around it, puts the sacrifice on the top of wood and calls for water to be poured over his sacrifice three times. Elijah calls upon God, and God sends fire down from heaven, burns the sacrifice, the wood, and the stones and licks up the water in the ditch. God proved He was more powerful than false gods. It was then that Elijah and the people killed all of the false prophets of Baal, in compliance with God’s command in Deuteronomy 13:5. After the great victory over the false prophets, rain once again fell on the land (1 Kings 18:41-46). However, in spite of victory, Elijah entered a period of wavering faith and depression (1 Kings 19:1-18). Ahab had told his wife, Jezebel, of God’s display of power. Rather than turn to God, Jezebel vowed to kill Elijah. Hearing of this, Elijah fled to the wilderness, where he prayed for God to take his life. But God refreshed Elijah with food, drink, and sleep instead. Then Elijah took a forty-day journey to Mount Horeb. There Elijah hid in a cave, still feeling sorry for himself and even confessing his belief that he alone was left of the prophets of God. It is then that the LORD instructed Elijah to stand on the mountain as the LORD passed by. There was a great wind, an earthquake, and then fire, but God was not in any of those. Then came a still, small voice in which Elijah heard God and understood Him. God gave Elijah instructions for what to do next, including anointing Elisha to take his place as prophet and assuring Elijah that there were still 7,000 in Israel who had not bowed to Baal. Elijah obeyed God’s commands. Elisha became Elijah’s assistant for some time, and the two continued to deal with Ahab and Jezebel, as well as Ahab’s son and successor, Ahaziah. Rather than die a natural death, Elijah was taken up to heaven in a whirlwind (2 Kings 2:1-11). John the Baptist’s ministry was marked by “the spirit and power of Elijah” (Luke 1:17), fulfilling the prophecy of Malachi 4:5–6. James uses Elijah as an example of prayer in James 5:17–18. He says that Elijah "was a human being, even as we are," yet he prayed that it would not rain, and it did not. Then he prayed that it would rain, and it did. The power of prayer is in God, not in our own human nature. As was true for Elijah, when we focus on the tumult of life in this world, we can get our eyes off of the LORD and become discouraged. God does display Himself in mighty works of power and judgment such as wind, fire, and earthquakes. But He also relates with us intimately and personally, such as in the quiet whisper. God meets our physical needs, encourages us to examine our own thoughts and behaviors, instructs us in how to proceed, and assures us that we are not alone. When we are attentive to God’s voice and walking in obedience to His Word, we can find encouragement, victory, and reward. Elijah struggled with typical human frailties, yet he was used mightily of God. It may not be through such obviously miraculous displays of might, but, if we are yielded to Him, God can use us powerfully for His kingdom purposes, too. 2 Kings 1:9 Then the king sent to him a captain of fifty with his fifty. And he went up to him, and behold, he was sitting on the top of the hill. And he said to him, “O man of God, the king says, ‘Come down.’” KJV 2 Kings 1:9 Then the king sent unto him a captain of fifty with his fifty. And he went up to him: and, behold, he sat on the top of an hill. And he spake unto him, Thou man of God, the king hath said, Come down. BGT 2 Kings 1:9 καὶ ἀπέστειλεν πρὸς αὐτὸν ἡγούμενον πεντηκόνταρχον καὶ τοὺς πεντήκοντα αὐτοῦ καὶ ἀνέβη καὶ ἦλθεν πρὸς αὐτόν καὶ ἰδοὺ Ηλιου ἐκάθητο ἐπὶ τῆς κορυφῆς τοῦ ὄρους καὶ ἐλάλησεν ὁ πεντηκόνταρχος πρὸς αὐτὸν καὶ εἶπεν ἄνθρωπε τοῦ θεοῦ ὁ βασιλεὺς ἐκάλεσέν σε κατάβηθι LXE 2 Kings 1:9 And he sent to him a captain of fifty and his fifty; and he went up to him: and, behold, Eliu sat on the top of a mountain. And the captain of fifty spoke to him, and said, O man of God, the king has called thee, come down. NET 2 Kings 1:9 The king sent a captain and his fifty soldiers to retrieve Elijah. The captain went up to him, while he was sitting on the top of a hill. He told him, "Prophet, the king says, 'Come down!'" CSB 2 Kings 1:9 So King Ahaziah sent a captain of 50 with his 50 men to Elijah. When the captain went up to him, he was sitting on top of the hill. He announced, "Man of God, the king declares, 'Come down! '" ESV 2 Kings 1:9 Then the king sent to him a captain of fifty men with his fifty. He went up to Elijah, who was sitting on the top of a hill, and said to him, "O man of God, the king says, 'Come down.'" NIV 2 Kings 1:9 Then he sent to Elijah a captain with his company of fifty men. The captain went up to Elijah, who was sitting on the top of a hill, and said to him, "Man of God, the king says, 'Come down!' " NLT 2 Kings 1:9 Then he sent an army captain with fifty soldiers to arrest him. They found him sitting on top of a hill. The captain said to him, "Man of God, the king has commanded you to come down with us." NRS 2 Kings 1:9 Then the king sent to him a captain of fifty with his fifty men. He went up to Elijah, who was sitting on the top of a hill, and said to him, "O man of God, the king says, 'Come down.'" NJB 2 Kings 1:9 He then sent a captain of fifty soldiers with his fifty men to Elijah, whom they found sitting on top of a hill; the captain went up to him and said, 'Man of God, the king says, "Come down." ' NAB 2 Kings 1:9 Then the king sent a captain with his company of fifty men after Elijah. The prophet was seated on a hilltop when he found him. "Man of God," he ordered, "the king commands you to come down." YLT 2 Kings 1:9 And he sendeth unto him a head of fifty and his fifty, and he goeth up unto him (and lo, he is sitting on the top of the hill), and he speaketh unto him, 'O man of God, the king hath spoken, Come down.' sent: 2Ki 6:13,14 1Ki 18:4,10 19:2 22:8,26,27 Mt 14:3 he was sitting: 1Ki 18:42 Lu 6:11,12 man: Am 7:12 Mt 26:68 27:29,41-43 Mk 15:29,32 Heb 11:36 KING AZARIAH SENDS DELEGATION TO ELIJAH Then the king sent to him a captain of fifty with his fifty. And he went up to him, and behold, he was sitting on the top of the hill - Notice Ahaziah does not send a messenger but a troop of soldiers. This was not to be a casual conversation! NET Note suggests "The prophet Elijah’s position on the top of the hill symbolizes his superiority to the king and his messengers." And he (THE CAPTAIN) said to him, “O man of God, the king says, ‘Come down.’” - It is interesting that all three captains address Elijah as "O man of God." Where did they get this accurate descriptive name? This would have to have been given to them by King Ahaziah! So even the king acknowledged Elijah's title (and presumably his authority) although he steadfastly refused to acknowledge Elijah's God! Sin is a stupid thing and makes people, even kings, do stupid things! To command Elijah "Come down" was the wrong thing to say to Elijah! It was like a "declaration of war" between Baal and Yahweh. The human odds were 51 to 1 against Elijah, but One Holy God plus Elijah constituted a majority! This standoff reminds me of David and Goliath when David declared to the giant Philistine, "You come to me with a sword, a spear, and a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, Whom you have taunted." (1Sa 17:45+). MAN OF GOD - 78X/73V - Deut. 33:1; Jos. 14:6; Jdg. 13:6; Jdg. 13:8; 1 Sam. 2:27; 1 Sam. 9:6; 1 Sam. 9:7; 1 Sam. 9:8; 1 Sam. 9:10; 1 Ki. 12:22; 1 Ki. 13:1; 1 Ki. 13:4; 1 Ki. 13:5; 1 Ki. 13:6; 1 Ki. 13:7; 1 Ki. 13:8; 1 Ki. 13:11; 1 Ki. 13:12; 1 Ki. 13:14; 1 Ki. 13:21; 1 Ki. 13:26; 1 Ki. 13:29; 1 Ki. 13:31; 1 Ki. 17:18; 1 Ki. 17:24; 1 Ki. 20:28; 2 Ki. 1:9; 2 Ki. 1:10; 2 Ki. 1:11; 2 Ki. 1:12; 2 Ki. 1:13; 2 Ki. 4:7; 2 Ki. 4:9; 2 Ki. 4:16; 2 Ki. 4:21; 2 Ki. 4:22; 2 Ki. 4:25; 2 Ki. 4:27; 2 Ki. 4:40; 2 Ki. 4:42; 2 Ki. 5:8; 2 Ki. 5:14; 2 Ki. 5:15; 2 Ki. 5:20; 2 Ki. 6:6; 2 Ki. 6:9; 2 Ki. 6:10; 2 Ki. 6:15; 2 Ki. 7:2; 2 Ki. 7:17; 2 Ki. 7:18; 2 Ki. 7:19; 2 Ki. 8:2; 2 Ki. 8:4; 2 Ki. 8:7; 2 Ki. 8:8; 2 Ki. 8:11; 2 Ki. 13:19; 2 Ki. 23:16; 2 Ki. 23:17; 1 Chr. 23:14; 2 Chr. 8:14; 2 Chr. 11:2; 2 Chr. 25:7; 2 Chr. 25:9; 2 Chr. 30:16; Ezr. 3:2; Neh. 12:24; Neh. 12:36; Ps. 90:1; Jer. 35:4; 1 Tim. 6:11; 2 Tim. 3:17 (Title used of Moses, Samuel, Elijah, Elisha, David, Timothy) ESV Study Bible (borrow) - This is not the first time a negative oracle addressed to a king elicits an attempt to capture the prophet who delivered it (cf. 1 Kings 13:1-7; 17:1-4; 18:9-10; also 1 Sam. 19:19-24). The prophetic word, however, cannot be brought under human control, Dale Ralph Davis gives a correct assessment of this encounter - Do you send a fifty-man posse to procure a consultant? Some interpreters never understand this passage because they never consider Ahaziah’s intention. Ellison is right: ‘The fifty men were not intended to be a guard of honour! It was an open declaration of hostilities, and Elijah treated it as such.’ Ahaziah planned to silence the word of God through Elijah—probably by liquidating Elijah (cf. the implied danger to Elijah’s life in the angel of Yahweh’s words in v. 15). The king was not inviting Elijah to dinner. Why is this so hard to see? Here is an undefended prophet accosted by royal military muscle. The palace intends to use its police in order to dispose of the prophet. (1-2 Kings) F B