2 Kings 1 — Tyndale Study Notes
2Kgs.1.1
After Ahab’s death, the Moabites felt secure enough to declare themselves free of their Israelite overlords (see 3:4-5). The historical notice anticipates the troubles that Israel would experience after the short-lived reign of Ahaziah (see 1 Kgs 22:51).
2Kgs.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.
2Kgs.1.3-4
The angel of the Lord does not seem to be a christophany in the book of Kings, as in other Old Testament texts (e.g., Judg 6:11-18).
Elijah, who had previously confronted Ahaziah’s father, Ahab, had a twofold message for the king: a condemnation for failure to acknowledge that Yahweh, not Baal, is God (see 1 Kgs 18:16-18), and a pronouncement of doom (see 1 Kgs 21:17-24).
2Kgs.1.9-10
The arrogant words of the army captain contained a contradiction, which Elijah pointed out: If Elijah was a man of God (i.e., God’s prophet), then his authority was from God and to ignore him was to invite peril (Deut 18:15-19).
Fire often symbolizes the presence of God in the Scriptures (see Exod 3:1-6; 19:18; cp. 1 Kgs 18:38).
Fifty soldiers was a common grouping (1 Kgs 18:4); here it indicates a division within Israel’s military organization.
2Kgs.1.11-13
Report of what happened to the previous contingent had apparently reached the king.
2Kgs.1.13-14
In contrast to the first two officers, the third commander pleaded for mercy before Elijah and God.
2Kgs.1.15
When the angel of the Lord (1:3) instructed Elijah, he responded in faithful obedience.
2Kgs.1.16
Is there no God in Israel? God’s message to Ahaziah remained unchanged (cp. 1:3-4).
2Kgs.1.17
The second year of the reign of Jehoram was 852 BC, during Jehoram’s co-regency with his father, Jehoshaphat (853–848 BC).