Bible Commentaries
2 Kings 1

Introduction

Overview

2 Kings 1:1, Moab rebels; 2 Kings 1:2, Ahaziah, sending to Baal-zebub, hath his judgment by Elijah; 2 Kings 1:5, Elijah twice brings fire from heaven upon them whom Ahaziah sent to apprehend him; 2 Kings 1:13, He pities the third captain, and, encouraged by an angel, tells the king of his death; 2 Kings 1:17, Jehoram succeeds Ahaziah.

Verse 1

Moab: Numbers 24:7, 2 Samuel 8:2, 1 Chronicles 18:2, Psalms 60:8

after the: 2 Kings 3:4, 2 Kings 3:5, 2 Kings 8:20, 2 Kings 8:22

Reciprocal: 2 Peter 3:16 - speaking

Verse 2

a lattice: The flat roofs of the eastern houses are generally surrounded by a parapet wall breast high; but instead of this, some terraces are guarded with balustrades only, or latticed work. Of the same kind, probably, was the lattice, or net, as the term shevacha seems to import, through which Ahaziah fell into the court. This incident proves the necessity of the law for the formation of battlements for roof (Deuteronomy 22:8), which God graciously dictated from Sinai, which furnishes a beautiful example of his paternal care and goodness; for the terrace was a place where many offices of the family were performed, and business frequently transacted. Judges 5:28, Song of Solomon 2:9, Acts 20:9

was sick: 1 Kings 22:34, *marg. 2 Chronicles 21:14, 2 Chronicles 21:15, Job 31:3

Baalzebub: 2 Kings 1:3, 2 Kings 1:6, 2 Kings 1:16, Matthew 10:25, Matthew 12:24-27, Mark 3:22, Luke 11:15, Beelzebub

god: Judges 11:24, 1 Samuel 5:10, 1 Kings 11:33, Isaiah 37:12, Isaiah 37:19

whether: 2 Kings 8:7-10, 1 Kings 14:3

Reciprocal: Joshua 15:11 - Ekron Judges 9:46 - an hold Judges 10:6 - the gods of the Philistines 1 Samuel 6:17 - Ekron 1 Samuel 28:7 - Seek me 1 Kings 22:40 - Ahaziah 1 Kings 22:52 - he did evil 1 Kings 22:53 - he served Baal 2 Kings 8:8 - inquire 2 Chronicles 20:35 - who did very Ecclesiastes 5:17 - much Hosea 2:13 - the days

Verse 3

angel: 2 Kings 1:15, 1 Kings 19:5, 1 Kings 19:7, Acts 8:26, Acts 12:7-11

Elijah: 2 Kings 1:8, 1 Kings 17:1

Arise: 1 Kings 18:1

it: 2 Kings 1:6, 2 Kings 1:16, 2 Kings 5:8, 2 Kings 5:15, 1 Samuel 17:46, 1 Kings 18:36, Psalms 76:1

ye go: Jeremiah 2:11-13, Jonah 2:8, Mark 3:22

Reciprocal: Joshua 15:11 - Ekron Judges 10:6 - the gods of the Philistines 1 Samuel 28:7 - Seek me 2 Samuel 12:1 - the Lord 1 Kings 22:5 - Inquire 2 Kings 1:2 - Baalzebub Isaiah 8:19 - should not Jeremiah 21:2 - Inquire Hosea 10:7 - Samaria

Verse 4

Thou shalt: etc. Heb. The bed whither thou art gone up, thou shalt not come down from it

but shalt: Genesis 2:17, Genesis 3:4, Numbers 26:65, 1 Samuel 28:19, 1 Kings 14:12, Proverbs 11:19, Proverbs 14:32, Ezekiel 18:4

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 31:14 - that thou must die 2 Kings 1:6 - therefore 2 Kings 1:16 - Forasmuch 2 Kings 8:10 - he shall surely die Ezekiel 3:18 - I say Luke 1:17 - power

Verse 6

Thus saith: Isaiah 41:22, Isaiah 41:23

therefore: 2 Kings 1:3, 2 Kings 1:4, 1 Chronicles 10:13, 1 Chronicles 10:14, Psalms 16:4

Reciprocal: Genesis 3:4 - Ye Joshua 15:11 - Ekron 1 Kings 14:12 - when thy feet 1 Kings 18:7 - he knew 1 Kings 18:36 - let it 2 Kings 1:2 - Baalzebub 2 Kings 1:16 - Forasmuch 2 Kings 5:8 - let him come 2 Kings 8:8 - inquire 2 Kings 22:15 - General Psalms 41:3 - strengthen Ecclesiastes 5:17 - much

Verse 7

What manner of man was he: Heb. What was the manner of the man, Judges 8:18, 1 Samuel 28:14

Verse 8

an hairy man: 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 manuscript 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. Isaiah 20:2, Zechariah 13:4, Matthew 3:4, Matthew 11:8, Luke 1:17, Revelation 11:3

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 1:3 - Elijah 2 Kings 2:8 - his mantle Mark 1:6 - clothed Luke 7:25 - A man Hebrews 11:37 - in sheepskins

Verse 9

sent unto: 2 Kings 6:13, 2 Kings 6:14, 1 Kings 18:4, 1 Kings 18:10, 1 Kings 19:2, 1 Kings 22:8, 1 Kings 22:26, 1 Kings 22:27, Matthew 14:3

he sat: 1 Kings 18:42, Luke 6:11, Luke 6:12

Thou man: Amos 7:12, Matthew 26:68, Matthew 27:29, Matthew 27:41-43, Mark 15:29, Mark 15:32, Hebrews 11:36

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 19:21 - sent messengers 2 Samuel 12:13 - David 2 Samuel 13:29 - servants 2 Kings 1:12 - General 2 Kings 4:40 - O thou 2 Kings 8:7 - The man of God 2 Kings 13:19 - the man of God Jeremiah 35:4 - a man Matthew 5:12 - for so John 18:6 - they went 2 Corinthians 13:8 - General 1 Timothy 6:11 - O man

Verse 10

If I be a man: 2 Kings 2:23, 2 Kings 2:24, Numbers 16:28-30, 1 Kings 18:36-38, 1 Kings 22:28, 2 Chronicles 36:16, Psalms 105:15, Matthew 21:41, Matthew 23:34-37, Acts 5:3-10

let fire: Or, rather, as the original literally imports, and the LXX render, ךבפבגחףופבי נץס, fire shall come down; Elijah's words being simply declarative, and not imprecatory. Numbers 11:1, Numbers 16:35, Job 1:16, Psalms 106:18, Luke 9:54, Hebrews 12:29, Revelation 11:5

consumed: Daniel 3:22, Daniel 3:25, Daniel 6:24, Acts 12:19

Reciprocal: Leviticus 10:2 - fire 1 Kings 19:12 - a fire 2 Kings 1:12 - General 2 Kings 1:14 - Behold 2 Kings 8:7 - The man of God Job 38:35 - Canst Psalms 29:7 - flames Jeremiah 5:14 - I will make Acts 5:5 - hearing Revelation 13:13 - he maketh Revelation 20:9 - and fire

Verse 11

Again: Numbers 16:41, 1 Samuel 6:9, Isaiah 26:11, Jeremiah 5:3, John 18:5-12, Acts 4:16, Acts 4:17

O man: 1 Samuel 22:17-19, Proverbs 29:12, Isaiah 32:7, Matthew 2:16, Luke 22:63, Luke 22:64

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 1:14 - Behold 2 Kings 4:40 - O thou Jeremiah 35:4 - a man

Verse 12

2 Kings 1:9, 2 Kings 1:10

Reciprocal: Leviticus 10:2 - fire Numbers 11:1 - and the fire 1 Kings 18:38 - fire 1 Kings 22:28 - If thou return Job 1:16 - there came

Verse 13

he sent again: Job 15:25, Job 15:26, Proverbs 27:22, Ecclesiastes 9:3, Isaiah 1:5

fell on: Heb. bowed, Isaiah 66:2

besought: Exodus 11:8, Numbers 12:11-13, 1 Kings 13:6, Isaiah 60:14, Revelation 3:9

O man of God: Psalms 102:17, James 4:7

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 18:30 - set by 1 Samuel 22:17 - would not 2 Kings 4:40 - O thou Esther 7:3 - let my life Matthew 27:54 - feared 1 Timothy 6:11 - O man

Verse 14

Behold: 2 Kings 1:10, 2 Kings 1:11

let my life: 1 Samuel 26:21, 1 Samuel 26:24, Psalms 49:8, Psalms 72:14, Psalms 116:15, Proverbs 6:26, Matthew 16:25, Matthew 16:26, Acts 20:24

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 22:17 - would not Job 1:16 - there came Job 38:35 - Canst Matthew 27:54 - feared

Verse 15

be not afraid of him: Genesis 15:1, 1 Kings 18:15, Psalms 27:1, Isaiah 51:12, Jeremiah 1:17, Jeremiah 15:20, Ezekiel 2:6, Matthew 10:28, Hebrews 11:27

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 21:17 - General 2 Kings 1:3 - angel

Verse 16

Forasmuch: 2 Kings 1:3, 2 Kings 1:4, 2 Kings 1:6, Exodus 4:22, Exodus 4:23, 1 Kings 14:6-13, 1 Kings 21:18-24, 1 Kings 22:28

Baalzebub: Literally, "the lord of flies;" or, as the LXX render, בבכ לץובם טוןם, Baal the fly god. See note on Exodus 8:24.

on which thou art gone up: In the East there is usually at the end of each chamber a little gallery, raised three or four feet above the floor, with a balustrade in front, to which they go up by a few steps: here they place their beds; an allusion to which situation is involved in this declaration of Elijah's, and frequently referred to in the Sacred Scriptures. See note on Genesis 49:4. 2 Kings 5:21, Psalms 132:3

Reciprocal: Genesis 3:4 - Ye Joshua 15:11 - Ekron 1 Kings 14:12 - when thy feet 1 Kings 21:17 - General 2 Kings 1:2 - Baalzebub 2 Kings 8:10 - he shall surely die 2 Kings 22:15 - General Psalms 41:3 - strengthen Ezekiel 14:4 - I the Lord Hosea 6:5 - have I Luke 1:17 - power

Verse 17

Jehoram: As it is said in 2 Kings 3:1, that he began his reign in the eighteenth of Jehoshaphat, it is supposed that Jehoshaphat admitted his son Jehoram to reign with him eight or nine years before his death. "The second year that Jehoram was Prorex, and the eighteenth of Jehoshaphat."

in the second: 2 Kings 3:1, 2 Kings 8:16, 2 Kings 8:17, 1 Kings 22:51

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 22:40 - Ahaziah 1 Kings 22:42 - thirty and five

Verse 18

in the book: 1 Kings 14:19, 1 Kings 22:39