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2 Kings 1:16

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 2 Kings 1:16 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And he said unto him, Thus saith Jehovah, Forasmuch as thou hast sent messengers to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron, is it because there is no God in Israel to inquire of his word? therefore thou shalt not come down from the bed whither thou art gone up, but shalt surely die.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And he said unto him, Thus saith Jehovah, Forasmuch as thou hast sent messengers to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron, is it because there is no God in Israel to inquire of his word? therefore thou shalt not come down from the bed whither thou art gone up, but shalt surely die.
2 Kings 1:16 — American Standard Version

Context — 2 Kings 1

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
13And again he sent the captain of a third fifty with his fifty. And the third captain of fifty went up, and came and fell on his knees before Elijah, and besought him, and said unto him, O man of God, I pray thee, let my life, and the life of these fifty thy servants, be precious in thy sight.
14Behold, there came fire down from heaven, and consumed the two former captains of fifty with their fifties; but now let my life be precious in thy sight.
15And the angel of Jehovah said unto Elijah, Go down with him: be not afraid of him. And he arose, and went down with him unto the king.
16And he said unto him, Thus saith Jehovah, Forasmuch as thou hast sent messengers to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron, is it because there is no God in Israel to inquire of his word? therefore thou shalt not come down from the bed whither thou art gone up, but shalt surely die.
17So he died according to the word of Jehovah which Elijah had spoken. And Jehoram began to reign in his stead in the second year of Jehoram the son of Jehoshaphat king of Judah; because he had no son.
18Now the rest of the acts of Ahaziah which he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?
← 2 Kings 1:152 Kings 1:17 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And he said unto him, etc.] Elijah to King Ahaziah when introduced into his chamber; and after some discourse passed between them, he confirmed what he had said to his messengers, and expressed it in the same language as in (<120103>2 Kings 1:3,4)”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“He said - To his very face. Nor durst the king lay hands upon him, being daunted with the prophet's presence, and confidence; and affrighted by the late dreadful evidence of his power with God. 4 Kings (2 Kings) 1:17”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“1:16 Is there no God in Israel? God’s message to Ahaziah remained unchanged (cp. 1:3-4).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Forasmuch: Kg2 1:3, Kg2 1:4, Kg2 1:6; Exo 4:22, Exo 4:23; Kg1 14:6-13, Kg1 21:18-24, Kg1 22:28 Baalzebub: Literally, "the lord of flies;" or, as the LXX render, Βααλ μυεαν θεον, Baal the fly god. See note on Exo 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 Gen 49:4. Kg2 5:21; Psa 132:3 4 Kings (2 Kings) 1:17”
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Sources and verification