2 Kings 1:3

3 But the angel of the LORD said to ¹Elijah the Tishbite, "Arise, go up to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria and say to them, 'Is it because * there is no God in Israel that you are going to inquire of ²Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron?'

2 Kings 1:3 Meaning and Commentary

2 Kings 1:3

But the angel of the Lord said unto Elijah
One of the ministering spirits sent by the Lord to him:

arise, go up to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria:
that is, the king of Israel, whose capital city was Samaria:

is it not because there is not a God in Israel;
known, acknowledged, and worshipped there, of whom there had been sufficient proof of his deity and divine perfections, as omniscience, omnipotence

that ye go to inquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekron?
about future things, when they had God nigh unto them, fully acquainted with them, as this message shows.

2 Kings 1:3 In-Context

1 Now Moab rebelled against Israel after the death of Ahab.

2 And Ahaziah fell through the lattice in his upper chamber which was in Samaria, and became ill. So he sent messengers and said to them, "Go, inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron, whether I will recover from this sickness."

3 But the angel of the LORD said to Elijah the Tishbite, "Arise, go up to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria and say to them, 'Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are going to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron?'

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.

5 When the messengers returned to him he said to them, "Why have you returned?"

Cross References

• 1. 1 Kings 17:1; 1 Kings 21:17
• 2. 2 Kings 1:2