2 Kings 1:3

3 But the angel of the LORD said to Elijah ¹the 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 After the death of Ahab, Moab rebelled against Israel.

2 Now Ahaziah fell through the lattice in his upper chamber in Samaria, and lay sick; so he sent messengers, telling them, "Go, inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron, whether I shall 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 to which you have gone up, but you shall surely die.'" So Elijah went.

5 The messengers returned to the king, and he said to them, "Why have you returned?"

Cross References

• 1. 1 Kings 17:1; 1 Kings 21:17
• 2. [See ver. 2 above]