2 Kings 1:3
New International Version
But the angel of the LORD said to Elijah the Tishbite, “Go up and meet the messengers of the king of Samaria and ask them, ‘Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are going off to consult Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron?’

New Living Translation
But the angel of the LORD told Elijah, who was from Tishbe, “Go and confront the messengers of the king of Samaria and ask them, ‘Is there no God in Israel? Why are you going to Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron, to ask whether the king will recover?

English Standard Version
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?

Berean Standard Bible
But the angel of the LORD said to Elijah the Tishbite, “Go up to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria and ask them, ‘Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are on your way to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron?’

Berean Literal Bible
And the angel of YHWH 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?’

King James Bible
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 unto them, Is it not because there is not a God in Israel, that ye go to inquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekron?

New King James Version
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?’

New American Standard Bible
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?’

NASB 1995
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?’

NASB 1977
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?’

Legacy Standard Bible
But the angel of Yahweh 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?’

Amplified Bible
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?’

Berean Annotated Bible
But the angel of the LORD {YHWH} said to Elijah (my God is YHWH) the Tishbite (captivity), “Go up to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria (watch mountain) and ask them, ‘Is it because there is no God {Elohim} in Israel (he wrestles with God) that you⁺ are on your way to inquire of Baal-zebub (lord of the fly), the god of Ekron (torn up by the roots)?

Christian Standard Bible
But the angel of the LORD said to Elijah the Tishbite, “Go and 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?

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But the angel of the LORD said to Elijah the Tishbite, “Go and meet the messengers of the king of Samaria and ask them, ‘Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are going to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron?

American Standard Version
But the angel of Jehovah said to Elijah the Tishbite, Arise, go up to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria, and say unto them, Is it because there is no God in Israel, that ye go to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron?

Contemporary English Version
About the same time, an angel from the LORD sent Elijah the prophet from Tishbe to say to the king's messengers, "Ahaziah has rejected Israel's own God by sending you to ask Baalzebub about his injury.

English Revised Version
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 unto them, Is it because there is no God in Israel, that ye go to inquire of Baal-zebub the god of Ekron?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Then the angel of the LORD said to Elijah from Tishbe, "Meet the messengers of the king of Samaria, and ask them, 'Do you seek advice from Baalzebub, the god of Ekron, because [you think] there is no God in Israel?

Good News Translation
But an angel of the LORD commanded Elijah, the prophet from Tishbe, to go and meet the messengers of King Ahaziah and ask them, "Why are you going to consult Baalzebub, the god of Ekron? Is it because you think there is no god in Israel?

International Standard Version
But the angel of the LORD spoke to Elijah the foreigner, "Get up and go meet the messengers from the king of Samaria. Ask them 'Is it because there is no God in Israel that you're going to consult with Ekron's god Baal-zebub?

NET Bible
But the LORD's angelic messenger told Elijah the Tishbite, "Get up, go to meet the messengers from the king of Samaria. Say this to them: 'You must think there is no God in Israel! That explains why you are on your way to seek an oracle from Baal Zebub the god of Ekron.

New Heart English Bible
But the angel of the LORD said to Elijah the Tishbite, "Arise, go up to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria, and tell them, 'Is it because there is no God in Israel, that you go to inquire of Baal Zebub, the god of Ekron?

Webster's Bible Translation
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 not because there is not a God in Israel, that ye go to inquire of Baal-zebub the god of Ekron?
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
But the angel of the LORD said to Elijah the Tishbite, “Go up to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria and ask them, ‘Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are on your way to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron?’

World English Bible
But Yahweh’s angel said to Elijah the Tishbite, “Arise, go up to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria, and tell them, ‘Is it because there is no God in Israel that you go to inquire of Baal Zebub, the god of Ekron?
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And a messenger of YHWH has spoken to Elijah the Tishbite, “Rise, go up to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria, and speak to them, Is it because there is not a God in Israel—you are going to inquire of Ba‘al-Zebub god of Ekron?

Berean Literal Bible
And the angel of YHWH 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?’

Young's Literal Translation
And a messenger of Jehovah hath spoken unto Elijah the Tishbite, 'Rise, go up to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria, and speak unto them, Is it because there is not a God in Israel -- ye are going to inquire of Baal Zebub god of Ekron?

Smith's Literal Translation
And the messenger of Jehovah spake to Elijah the Tishbite, Arise, go up to the meeting of the messengers of the king of Shomeron, and speak to them, Is it because there is no God in Israel ye go to seek in Baal the fly god of Ekron?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And an angel of the Lord spoke to Elias the Thesbite, saying: Arise, and go up to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria, and say to them: Is there not a God in Israel, that ye go to consult Beelzebub the god of Accaron?

Catholic Public Domain Version
And an Angel of the Lord spoke to Elijah, the Tishbite, saying: “Rise up, and ascend to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria. And you shall say to them: ‘Is there not a God in Israel, so that you would go to consult Beelzebub, the god of Ekron?

New American Bible
Meanwhile, the messenger of the LORD said to Elijah the Tishbite: Go and meet the messengers of Samaria’s king, and tell them: “Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are going to inquire of Baalzebub, the god of Ekron?”

New Revised Standard Version
But the angel of the LORD said to Elijah the Tishbite, “Get up, go 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?’
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
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?

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And The Angel of LORD JEHOVAH said to Elyah, who was from Thesbe: “Arise! Go down to meet the Messengers of the King of Samaria, and say to them: ‘Is it for lack of a God in Israel you are going to inquire of Beelzebub, god of Aqroon?
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
But an angel 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 because there is no God in Israel, that ye go to inquire of Baal-zebub the god of Ekron?

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And an angel of the Lord called Eliu the Thesbite, saying, Arise, and go to meet the messengers of Ochozias king of Samaria, and thou shalt say to them, Is it because there is no God in Israel, that ye go to enquire of Baal fly, the God of Accaron? but it shall not be so.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Elijah Denounces Ahaziah
2Now Ahaziah had fallen through the lattice of his upper room in Samaria and injured himself. So he sent messengers and instructed them: “Go inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron, whether I will recover from this injury.” 3But the angel of the LORD said to Elijah the Tishbite, “Go up to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria and ask them, ‘Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are on your way to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron?’ 4Therefore this is what the LORD says: ‘You will not get up from the bed on which you are lying. You will surely die.’ ” So Elijah departed.…

Cross References
But the angel of the LORD said to Elijah the Tishbite,

1 Kings 19:5-7
Then he lay down under the broom tree and fell asleep. Suddenly an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.” / And he looked around, and there by his head was a cake of bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. So he ate and drank and lay down again. / A second time the angel of the LORD returned and touched him, saying, “Get up and eat, or the journey will be too much for you.”

1 Kings 17:2
Then a revelation from the LORD came to Elijah:

1 Kings 21:17
Then the word of the LORD came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying,
“Go up to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria

2 Kings 6:32-33
Now Elisha was sitting in his house, and the elders were sitting with him. The king sent a messenger ahead, but before he arrived, Elisha said to the elders, “Do you see how this murderer has sent someone to cut off my head? Look, when the messenger comes, shut the door to keep him out. Is not the sound of his master’s footsteps behind him?” / While Elisha was still speaking with them, the messenger came down to him. And the king said, “This calamity is from the LORD. Why should I wait for the LORD any longer?”

1 Kings 22:13-14
Then the messenger who had gone to call Micaiah instructed him, “Behold now, with one accord the words of the prophets are favorable to the king. So please let your words be like theirs, and speak favorably.” / But Micaiah said, “As surely as the LORD lives, I will speak whatever the LORD tells me.”

2 Kings 8:8-9
So the king said to Hazael, “Take a gift in your hand, go to meet the man of God, and inquire of the LORD through him, ‘Will I recover from this illness?’” / So Hazael went to meet Elisha, taking with him a gift of forty camel loads of every good thing from Damascus. And he went in and stood before him and said, “Your son Ben-hadad king of Aram has sent me to ask, ‘Will I recover from this illness?’”
and ask them, ‘Is it because there is no God in Israel

1 Kings 18:21
Then Elijah approached all the people and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him. But if Baal is God, follow him.” But the people did not answer a word.

1 Kings 18:24
Then you may call on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of the LORD. The God who answers by fire, He is God.” And all the people answered, “What you say is good.”

Deuteronomy 4:39
Know therefore this day and take to heart that the LORD is God in heaven above and on the earth below; there is no other.
that you are on your way to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron?’

Deuteronomy 18:10-12
Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, practices divination or conjury, interprets omens, practices sorcery, / casts spells, consults a medium or spiritist, or inquires of the dead. / For whoever does these things is detestable to the LORD. And because of these detestable things, the LORD your God is driving out the nations before you.

Isaiah 8:19-20
When men tell you to consult mediums and spiritists who whisper and mutter, shouldn’t a people consult their God instead? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living? / To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, they have no light of dawn.

2 Kings 17:35-39
For the LORD had made a covenant with the Israelites and commanded them, “Do not worship other gods or bow down to them; do not serve them or sacrifice to them. / Instead, worship the LORD, who brought you out of the land of Egypt with great power and an outstretched arm. You are to bow down to Him and offer sacrifices to Him. / And you must always be careful to observe the statutes, ordinances, laws, and commandments He wrote for you. Do not worship other gods. …
Exodus 23:20-21
Behold, I am sending an angel before you to protect you along the way and to bring you to the place I have prepared. / Pay attention to him and listen to his voice; do not defy him, for he will not forgive rebellion, since My Name is in him.

Numbers 22:22-35
Then God’s anger was kindled because Balaam was going along, and the angel of the LORD stood in the road to oppose him. Balaam was riding his donkey, and his two servants were with him. / When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD standing in the road with a drawn sword in his hand, she turned off the path and went into a field. So Balaam beat her to return her to the path. / Then the angel of the LORD stood in a narrow passage between two vineyards, with walls on either side. …

Judges 6:11-12
Then the angel of the LORD came and sat down under the oak in Ophrah that belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, where his son Gideon was threshing wheat in a winepress to hide it from the Midianites. / And the angel of the LORD appeared to Gideon and said, “The LORD is with you, O mighty man of valor.”

1 Kings 13:1-3
Suddenly, as Jeroboam was standing beside the altar to burn incense, there came a man of God from Judah to Bethel by the word of the LORD. / And he cried out against the altar by the word of the LORD, “O altar, O altar, this is what the LORD says: ‘A son named Josiah will be born to the house of David, and upon you he will sacrifice the priests of the high places who burn incense upon you, and human bones will be burned upon you.’” / That day the man of God gave a sign, saying, “The LORD has spoken this sign: ‘Surely the altar will be split apart, and the ashes upon it will be poured out.’”


Treasury of Scripture

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 not because there is not a God in Israel, that you go to inquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekron?

angel

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

1 Kings 19:5,7
And as he lay and slept under a juniper tree, behold, then an angel touched him, and said unto him, Arise and eat…

Acts 8:26
And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert.

Elijah

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

1 Kings 17:1
And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the LORD God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word.

Arise

1 Kings 18:1
And it came to pass after many days, that the word of the LORD came to Elijah in the third year, saying, Go, shew thyself unto Ahab; and I will send rain upon the earth.

it

2 Kings 1:6,16
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, Thus saith the LORD, Is it not because there is not a God in Israel, that thou sendest to inquire 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 5:8,15
And it was so, when Elisha the man of God had heard that the king of Israel had rent his clothes, that he sent to the king, saying, Wherefore hast thou rent thy clothes? let him come now to me, and he shall know that there is a prophet in Israel…

1 Samuel 17:46
This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.

ye go

Jeremiah 2:11-13
Hath a nation changed their gods, which are yet no gods? but my people have changed their glory for that which doth not profit…

Jonah 2:8
They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy.

Mark 3:22
And the scribes which came down from Jerusalem said, He hath Beelzebub, and by the prince of the devils casteth he out devils.

Jump to Previous
Angel Arise Baal Baalzebub Ekron Elijah Eli'jah Enquire Inquire Israel It Meet Messengers Samaria Sama'ria Tishbite Zebub
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Angel Arise Baal Baalzebub Ekron Elijah Eli'jah Enquire Inquire Israel It Meet Messengers Samaria Sama'ria Tishbite Zebub
2 Kings 1
1. Moab rebels
2. Ahaziah, sending to Baal-Zebub, has his judgement by Elijah
5. Elijah twice brings fire from heaven on those Ahaziah sent to apprehend him.
13. He pities the third captain,
15. and, encouraged by an angel, tells the king of his death
17. Jehoram succeeds Ahaziah












But the angel of the LORD said to Elijah the Tishbite
The "angel of the LORD" often represents a divine messenger, sometimes interpreted as a theophany or a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ. Elijah, known as the Tishbite, is a prominent prophet in Israel, hailing from Tishbe in Gilead. His role as a prophet is to convey God's messages, often confronting idolatry and apostasy in Israel.

Go up to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria
The king of Samaria refers to Ahaziah, the son of Ahab and Jezebel, who ruled the northern kingdom of Israel. Samaria was the capital of the northern kingdom, established by King Omri. Elijah is instructed to intercept the king's messengers, indicating the urgency and importance of the divine message.

and ask them, ‘Is it because there is no God in Israel
This rhetorical question highlights Israel's covenant relationship with Yahweh, who had proven His power and presence repeatedly. The question underscores the absurdity and faithlessness of seeking foreign gods when the true God is present in Israel. It serves as a rebuke to Ahaziah's lack of faith and reliance on pagan deities.

that you are on your way to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron?’
Baal-zebub, meaning "lord of the flies," was a deity worshiped in Ekron, a Philistine city. This name is a derogatory alteration of Baal-zebul, "lord of the high place," reflecting the biblical disdain for idolatry. The Philistines were long-time adversaries of Israel, and seeking their god's counsel was a direct violation of Israel's exclusive worship of Yahweh. This act of seeking guidance from Baal-zebub illustrates the spiritual decline and syncretism prevalent in Israel during Ahaziah's reign.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Angel of the LORD
A divine messenger who delivers God's instructions to Elijah. In the Old Testament, the "angel of the LORD" often represents God's direct intervention.

2. Elijah the Tishbite
A prominent prophet in Israel known for his boldness in confronting idolatry and apostasy. Elijah's role is to deliver God's message to the king's messengers.

3. Messengers of the King of Samaria
Sent by King Ahaziah to inquire of Baal-zebub, these messengers are intercepted by Elijah with a message from God.

4. King of Samaria (Ahaziah)
The king of Israel who seeks guidance from a pagan deity, demonstrating a lack of faith in the God of Israel.

5. Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron
A Philistine deity whose name means "lord of the flies." Ahaziah's inquiry of this god highlights the spiritual decline in Israel.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty and Exclusivity
God alone is sovereign and worthy of worship. Seeking guidance from other sources reflects a lack of faith and understanding of His power.

The Role of Prophets
Prophets are God's messengers, tasked with delivering His truth, often in challenging circumstances. Like Elijah, we are called to stand firm in our faith and speak truth.

The Danger of Idolatry
Idolatry leads to spiritual decline and separation from God. We must guard our hearts against placing anything above God in our lives.

Divine Intervention
God actively intervenes in human affairs, often through unexpected means, to guide and correct His people.

Faithfulness in Adversity
Elijah's obedience in delivering God's message despite potential danger serves as a model for remaining faithful under pressure.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of 2 Kings 1:3?

2. How does 2 Kings 1:3 demonstrate God's authority over earthly kings and leaders?

3. What can we learn about obedience from Elijah's response in 2 Kings 1:3?

4. How does 2 Kings 1:3 connect with God's sovereignty in Romans 13:1?

5. How should we respond when God challenges worldly authority, as in 2 Kings 1:3?

6. What does "Is it because there is no God in Israel?" teach about faith?

7. Why did God send Elijah to confront the king in 2 Kings 1:3?

8. What does 2 Kings 1:3 reveal about God's view on idolatry?

9. How does 2 Kings 1:3 challenge the authority of earthly kings?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 2 Kings 1?

11. In 2 Kings 1, how does the portrayal of Ahaziah seeking Baal-zebub’s counsel align or conflict with historical records of neighboring religious practices?

12. In 1 Kings 15:14, why are the high places said to remain, yet 2 Chronicles 14:3 claims Asa removed them?

13. How do we reconcile the apparent capacity discrepancy of the bronze sea between 1 Kings 7:26 (2,000 baths) and 2 Chronicles 4:5 (3,000 baths)?

14. 2 Chronicles 13 compared with 1 Kings 15:3 - Why does Abijah appear more faithful in Chronicles than in Kings, and what might explain this seeming discrepancy?
What Does 2 Kings 1:3 Mean
But the angel of the LORD said to Elijah the Tishbite

The scene opens with divine initiative. The “angel of the LORD” (Exodus 3:2; Judges 6:11) is not just any messenger; he speaks with God’s authority and certainty. Elijah, already proven faithful in 1 Kings 17–19, receives instructions without hesitation, reminding us that

• God still guides His servants personally and precisely (Psalm 32:8).

• Heaven is actively engaged when God’s people or their leaders flirt with falsehood (Hebrews 1:14).


Go up to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria

The king (Ahaziah, 2 Kings 1:2) has dispatched couriers to Philistine territory, but God intercepts them. Elijah must leave his wilderness hideaway, move toward these officials, and confront their agenda—much like Nathan confronting David (2 Samuel 12:1) or John the Baptist facing Herod (Mark 6:17-18).

• Divine truth overtakes our plans; God meets us on the road we choose, even the wrong one (Proverbs 16:9).

• Elijah’s bold obedience shows that godly confrontation is sometimes the most loving act (Galatians 2:11-14).


and ask them, ‘Is it because there is no God in Israel

The question drips with irony. Israel has the covenant-keeping LORD who split the Red Sea (Exodus 14:21), rained fire at Carmel (1 Kings 18:36-39), and promised, “I will be your God” (Leviticus 26:12). To behave otherwise is spiritual amnesia.

• Rhetorical questions in Scripture expose unbelief (Genesis 3:9; Romans 2:4).

• Every crisis is an opportunity to reaffirm that the LORD alone saves (Isaiah 43:11; Acts 4:12).


that you are on your way to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron?

Ahaziah seeks answers from a Philistine idol whose name, “lord of the flies,” mocks the LORD’s majesty. Turning to Baal-zebub violates the first commandment (Exodus 20:3) and demonstrates how idolatry always devalues both God and the seeker.

• When leaders dabble in darkness, nations suffer (1 Kings 14:16; 2 Chronicles 21:11-15).

• The true God exposes and humiliates false gods (Isaiah 44:9-20; 1 Corinthians 8:4-6).

• God’s jealousy is righteous; He will not share His glory with idols (Isaiah 42:8).


summary

2 Kings 1:3 highlights God’s unwavering claim on His people. Through Elijah, the LORD intercepts royal plans, questions misplaced trust, and denounces idolatry. The verse reminds us that the living God is present, sufficient, and exclusive; seeking help elsewhere is not merely unwise—it is rebellion against the One who alone deserves our faith and allegiance.

(3) But the angel . . . said.--Rather, Now the angel . . . had said. "The angel" is right. (Comp. 2Kings 19:35.) Reuss strangely renders: "Mais une revelation de l'Eternel parla;" and adds the note, "Et non pas un ange" (!).

Arise, go up.--Samaria lay on a hill, and the prophet was to meet the messengers at the gates.

King of Samaria.--Not Israel, a mark of Judaean feeling.

And say.--Literally, speak. LXX., Vulgate, and Arabic add "saying," but comp. 1Kings 21:5-6.

Is it not because.--Omit "not." So 2Kings 1:6.

Ye go.--Are going. . . .

Verse 3. - The angel of the Lord. It would be better to translate, with the LXX., an angel (ἄγγελος, not ὁ ἄγγελος). An angel had appeared to Elijah on a previous occasion (1 Kings 19:5, 7). Elijah the Tishbite (comp. 1 Kings 17:1; 1 Kings 21:17, 28; 2 Kings 1:8; and for the meaning of the expression, hat-Tishbi, see the comment on 1 Kings 17:1). Arise, go up. Elijah was, apparently, in the low tract of the Shefelah, or in Sharon, when the messengers started, and was thus commanded to go up and meet them, or intercept them on their journey before they descended into the plain. God would not have the insult to his majesty, carried out. Is it not because there is not a God in Israel? rather, Is it that there is no God at all in Israel? The double negative is intensitive, and implies that the king's consultation of Baal-zebub, god of Ekron, is a complete and absolute denial of the Divinity of Jehovah. To consult a foreign oracle is equivalent to raying that the voice of God is wholly silent in one's own land. This was going further in apostasy than Ahab had gone (see 1 Kings 22:6-9).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
But the angel
וּמַלְאַ֣ךְ (ū·mal·’aḵ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4397: A messenger, of God, an angel

of the LORD
יְהוָ֗ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

said
דִּבֶּר֙ (dib·ber)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

Elijah
אֵלִיָּ֣ה (’ê·lî·yāh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 452: Elijah -- 'Yah is God', a well-known prophet of Israel, also three other Israelites

the Tishbite,
הַתִּשְׁבִּ֔י (hat·tiš·bî)
Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 8664: A Tishbite

“Go up
עֲלֵ֔ה (‘ă·lêh)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 5927: To ascend, in, actively

to meet
לִקְרַ֖את (liq·raṯ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 7125: Against he come, help, meet, seek, to, in the way

the messengers
מַלְאֲכֵ֣י (mal·’ă·ḵê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 4397: A messenger, of God, an angel

of the king
מֶֽלֶךְ־ (me·leḵ-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4428: A king

of Samaria
שֹׁמְר֑וֹן (šō·mə·rō·wn)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 8111: Samaria -- capital of northern kingdom of Israel

and ask them,
וְדַבֵּ֣ר (wə·ḏab·bêr)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue

‘[Is [it] because
הַֽמִבְּלִ֤י (ha·mib·bə·lî)
Preposition | Adverb
Strong's 1097: Failure, nothing, destruction, without, not yet, because not, as long as

[there is] no
אֵין־ (’ên-)
Adverb
Strong's 369: A non-entity, a negative particle

God
אֱלֹהִים֙ (’ĕ·lō·hîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

in Israel
בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל (bə·yiś·rā·’êl)
Preposition-b | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

that you
אַתֶּם֙ (’at·tem)
Pronoun - second person masculine plural
Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you

are on your way
הֹֽלְכִ֔ים (hō·lə·ḵîm)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

to inquire
לִדְרֹ֕שׁ (liḏ·rōš)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 1875: To tread, frequent, to follow, to seek, ask, to worship

of Baal-zebub,
זְב֖וּב (zə·ḇūḇ)
Preposition | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1176: Baal of flies', a Philistine god

the god
אֱלֹהֵ֥י (’ĕ·lō·hê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

of Ekron?’
עֶקְרֽוֹן׃ (‘eq·rō·wn)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 6138: Ekron -- a Philistine city


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OT History: 2 Kings 1:3 But the angel of Yahweh said (2Ki iiKi ii ki 2 kg 2kg)
2 Kings 1:2
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