2 Kings 1:3-17
Summary for 2Kgs 1:3-4: 1:3-4 a The angel of the Lord does not seem to be a christophany in the book of Kings, as in other Old Testament texts (e.g., Judg 6:11-18 b).• Elijah, who had previously confronted Ahaziah’s father, Ahab, had a twofold message for the king: a condemnation for failure to acknowledge that Yahweh, not Baal, is God (see 1 Kgs 18:16-18 c), and a pronouncement of doom (see 1 Kgs 21:17-24 d).
Summary for 2Kgs 1:9-10: 1:9-10 e The arrogant words of the army captain contained a contradiction, which Elijah pointed out: If Elijah was a man of God (i.e., God’s prophet), then his authority was from God and to ignore him was to invite peril (Deut 18:15-19 f).
• Fire often symbolizes the presence of God in the Scriptures (see Exod 3:1-6 g; 19:18 h; cp. 1 Kgs 18:38 i).
• Fifty soldiers was a common grouping (1 Kgs 18:4 j); here it indicates a division within Israel’s military organization.
Summary for 2Kgs 1:11-13: 1:11-13 k Report of what happened to the previous contingent had apparently reached the king.
Summary for 2Kgs 1:13-14: 1:13-14 l In contrast to the first two officers, the third commander pleaded for mercy before Elijah and God.
1:15 m When the angel of the Lord (1:3 n) instructed Elijah, he responded in faithful obedience.
1:16 o Is there no God in Israel? God’s message to Ahaziah remained unchanged (cp. 1:3-4 p).
1:17 q The second year of the reign of Jehoram was 852 BC, during Jehoram’s co-regency with his father, Jehoshaphat (853–848 BC).
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