2 Kings — Chapter 1

📖 2 Kings — Chapter 1 (KJV)

Read the complete King James Version chapter below, then explore the passage sections, check what you remember, and keep your private study notes.

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Scripture source: Project Gutenberg KJV, ebook 10.

2 Kings 1:1 Then ^RMoab rebelled against Israel after the death of Ahab.

2 Kings 1:2 And Ahaziah fell down through ^Ra lattice in his upper chamber that was in Samaria, and was sick: and he sent messengers, and said unto them, Go, enquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekron whether I shall recover of this disease.

2 Kings 1:3 But the ^Rangel of the LORD said to Elijah the Tishbite, Arise, go up to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria, and say unto them, Is it not because there is not a God in Israel, that ye go to enquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekron?

2 Kings 1:4 Now therefore thus saith the LORD, ^TThou shalt not come down from that bed on which thou art gone up, ^Rbut shalt surely die. And Elijah departed.

2 Kings 1:5 And when the messengers turned back unto him, he said unto them, Why are ye now turned back?

2 Kings 1:6 And they said unto him, There came a man up to meet us, and said unto us, Go, turn again unto the king that sent you, and say unto him, ^RThus saith the LORD, Is it not because there is not a God in Israel, that thou sendest to enquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekron? therefore thou shalt not come down from that bed on which thou art gone up, but shalt surely die.

2 Kings 1:7 And he said unto them, ^RTWhat manner of man was he which came up to meet you, and told you these words?

2 Kings 1:8 And they answered him, He was ^Ran hairy man, and girt with a girdle of leather about his loins. And he said, It is Elijah the Tishbite.

2 Kings 1:9 Then the king ^Rsent unto him a captain of fifty with his fifty. And he went up to him: and, behold, he sat on the top of an hill. And he spake unto him, Thou man of God, the king hath said, Come down.

2 Kings 1:10 And Elijah answered and said to the captain of fifty, ^RIf I be a man of God, then let fire come down from heaven, and consume thee and thy fifty. And there came down fire from heaven, and consumed him and his fifty.

2 Kings 1:11 ^RAgain also he sent unto him another captain of fifty with his fifty. And he answered and said unto him, O man of God, thus hath the king said, Come down quickly.

2 Kings 1:12 And Elijah answered and said unto them, If I be a man of God, let fire come down from heaven, and consume thee and thy fifty. And the fire of God came down from heaven, and consumed him and his fifty.

2 Kings 1:13 And ^Rhe sent again a captain of the third fifty with his fifty. And the third captain of fifty went up, and came and ^Tfell on his knees before Elijah, and besought him, and said unto him, O man of God, I pray thee, let my life, and the life of these fifty thy servants, be precious in thy sight.

2 Kings 1:14 ^RBehold, there came fire down from heaven, and burnt up the two captains of the former fifties with their fifties: therefore let my life now be precious in thy sight.

2 Kings 1:15 And the angel of the LORD said unto Elijah, Go down with him: ^Rbe not afraid of him. And he arose, and went down with him unto the king.

2 Kings 1:16 And he said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, ^RForasmuch as thou hast sent messengers to enquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekron, is it not because there is no God in Israel to enquire of his word? therefore thou shalt not come down off that bed on which thou art gone up, but shalt surely die.

2 Kings 1:17 So he died according to the word of the LORD which Elijah had spoken. And Jehoram reigned in his stead ^Rin the second year of Jehoram the son of Jehoshaphat king of Judah; because he had no son.

2 Kings 1:18 Now the rest of the acts of Ahaziah which he did, are they not written ^Rin the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?

📚 Study This Chapter

📖 What We’re Reading

2 Kings 1:1–8 — Ahaziah seeks an answer from Ekron

🌱 What These Verses Teach Us

After his fall, Ahaziah sends to Baalzebub rather than seeking Israel’s God. Elijah intercepts the messengers with the LORD’s judgment. The king recognizes the prophet from their description. The issue named here is the king’s chosen object of trust, not an instruction to refuse ordinary care.

Key Truth: Seek the LORD rather than giving a false god your trust.

Check What You Remember

📖 What We’re Reading

2 Kings 1:9–14 — Three captains approach Elijah

🌱 What These Verses Teach Us

The first two captains command Elijah to come down, and fire consumes them and their troops. The third kneels and asks that their lives be precious. This severe prophetic confrontation is not permission for Christians to call harm on opponents.

Key Truth: Spiritual authority must not be used as an excuse for personal violence.

Check What You Remember

📖 What We’re Reading

2 Kings 1:15–18 — Elijah delivers the word to the king

🌱 What These Verses Teach Us

At the angel’s instruction Elijah goes with the third captain and repeats the LORD’s message. Ahaziah dies as foretold, and Jehoram succeeds him because he has no son. The end confirms the word the king had attempted to resist.

Key Truth: Rejecting a warning does not make it disappear.

Check What You Remember

Related Scripture (KJV)

Deuteronomy 6:14 — God commands His people not to go after other gods.

Deuteronomy 6:14 (KJV) Ye shall not go after other gods, of the gods of the people which are round about you;

This related passage is selected for its connection with this chapter. It is separate from the chapter text.

Reflect and Apply

Where do you place trust when afraid? Consider how to seek God faithfully without treating this ancient judgment as a model for harming others.

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