2 Kings 1:14

14 Twice now lightning from out of the blue has struck and incinerated captains with their fifty men; please, I beg you, respect my life!"

2 Kings 1:14 Meaning and Commentary

2 Kings 1:14

Behold, there came fire down from heaven and burnt up the two
captains of the former fifties with their fifties
He owns the facts, and ascribes the death of them to the true cause, and appears to have an awful sense of the judgment of God on them, fearing the same would befall him and his: therefore let my life now be precious in thy sight;
by sparing it, what is precious and valuable being spared.

2 Kings 1:14 In-Context

12 Elijah answered, "If it's true that I'm a 'holy man,' lightning strike you and your fifty men!" Immediately a divine lightning bolt struck and incinerated the captain and his fifty.
13 The king then sent a third captain with his fifty men. For a third time, a captain with his fifty approached Elijah. This one fell on his knees in supplication: "O Holy Man, have respect for my life and the souls of these fifty men!
14 Twice now lightning from out of the blue has struck and incinerated captains with their fifty men; please, I beg you, respect my life!"
15 The angel of God told Elijah, "Go ahead; and don't be afraid." Elijah got up and went down with him to the king.
16 Elijah told him, "God's word: Because you sent messengers to consult Baal-Zebub the god of Ekron, as if there were no God in Israel to whom you could pray, you'll never get out of that bed alive - already you're as good as dead."
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.