2 Kings 1:2

“And Ahaziah fell down a lattice in his upper chamber that was in Samaria, etc.] Which was either a window or lattice in the form of network, to let in light; or rather were the rails of a balcony or battlement on the roof of his palace, in this form, on which leaning, it broke down, and he fell into the garden or court yard; or walking on the roof of his house, and treading unawares on a sky light, which let in light into a room underneath, he fell through it into it: and was sick; the fall perhaps threw him into a fever, and which seemed threatening, being violent: and he sent messengers, and said unto them, go inquire of Baalzebub, the god of Ekron, whether I shall recover of this disease;…”

“AHAZIAH'S JUDGMENT BY ELIJAH. (Kg2 1:2-8) Ahaziah fell down through a lattice in his upper chamber--This lattice was either a part of the wooden parapet, or fence, which surrounds the flat roofs of houses, and over which the king was carelessly leaning when it gave way; or it might be an opening like a skylight in the roof itself, done over with lattice-work, which, being slender or rotten, the king stepped on and slipped through. This latter supposition is most probably the true one, as Ahaziah did not fall either into the street or the court, but "in his upper chamber." inquire of Baalzebub--Anxious to learn whether he should recover from the effects of this severe fall, he sent to consult…”

“A lattice - The “upper chamber” had probably a single latticed window, through which Ahaziah fell. Windows in the East are to this day generally closed by lattices of interlaced wood, which open outward; so that, if the fastening is not properly secured, one who leans against them may easily fall out. Baal-zebub - literally, “Lord (i. e., averter) of flies.” Flies in the East constitute one of the most terrible of plages Psalms 105:31; Exodus 8:24; and Orientals would be as likely to have a “god of flies” as a god of storm fand thunder. To inquire 2 Kings 1:3 of Baal-zebub was practically to deny Yahweh. Ahaziah cast aside the last remnant of respect for the old religion, and consulted a…”

“Chamber - In which, the lattess might be left to convey light into the lower room. But the words may be rendered, through the battlements (or through the lattess in the battlements) of the roof of the house. Where, standing and looking through, and leaning upon this lattess, it broke, and he fell down into the court or garden. Baal - zebub - Properly, the god of flies; an idol so called, because it was supposed to deliver those people from flies; Jupiter and Hercules were called by a like name among the Grecians. And it is evident, both from sacred and prophane histories, That the idol - gods, did sometimes through God's permission, give the answers; though they were generally observed, even…”

“1:2 An upper room or balcony enclosed with latticework was common; it allowed for the free flow of air and a degree of privacy, but latticework was easily broken. • Baal-zebub (lord of flies) may be a parody of a Canaanite deity named Baal-zebul (Baal is prince). The name of this deity was later used for Satan (see study note on Matt 10:25). Ahaziah followed his father Ahab in worshiping Baal.”

“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 ( Deu 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. Jdg 5:28; Sol 2:9; Act 20:9 was sick: Kg1 22:34…”