FocusThe prophetic word continues
Connection to the wholeThis opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. The transition between prophets and Elisha's acts carry forward the prophetic witness within the kingdoms.
interpretation 2 Kings 1:14
KJVBehold, 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.
Read it in context
Elijah Denounces Ahaziah
Start reading at 2 Kings 1:1 (2 Kings 1:1 to 2 Kings 1:16).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
This opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. The transition between prophets and Elisha's acts carry forward the prophetic witness within the kingdoms.
- 1:1 Then Moab rebelled against Israel after the death of Ahab.
- 1:2 And Ahaziah fell down through a 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.
- 1:3 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 unto them, Is it not because there is not a God in Israel, that ye go to enquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekron?
- 1:4 Now therefore thus saith the LORD, Thou shalt not come down from that bed on which thou art gone up, but shalt surely die. And Elijah departed.
- 1:5 And when the messengers turned back unto him, he said unto them, Why are ye now turned back?
- 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, Thus 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.
- 1:7 And he said unto them, What manner of man was he which came up to meet you, and told you these words?
- 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.
- 1:9 Then the king sent 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.
- 1:10 And Elijah answered and said to the captain of fifty, If 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.
- 1:11 Again 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.
- 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.
- 1:13 And he sent again a captain of the third fifty with his fifty. And the third captain of fifty went up, and came and fell 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.
- 1:14 Behold, 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.
- 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.
- 1:16 And he said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Forasmuch 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.
Who
- Who wrote the book? Jeremiah is the traditional Jewish attribution to Kings. The completed work incorporates records of Israel and Judah and events during exile; its final compiler is uncertain. Biblical references: 2 Kings 15:11; 2 Kings 25:27. Historical source: Babylonian Talmud, Bava Batra 14b–15a (record of Jewish attribution, not contemporary proof). traditionally held
- Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (2 Kings 1:1–1:18): Ahaziah, his messengers and officers, and Elijah are involved in the king's inquiry and the prophet's response. stated in the text
- Who was the book written to? The Israelite and Judean community in and after the exile, reflecting on why both kingdoms fell and what remained of the Davidic line. Biblical references: 2 Kings 17:7; 2 Kings 23:27; 2 Kings 25:27. book background
What
- What is the topic of this reading unit? Elijah Denounces Ahaziah. Read 2 Kings 1:1 through 2 Kings 1:16 as a connected unit. interpretation
- How does it contribute to the book? This opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. The transition between prophets and Elisha's acts carry forward the prophetic witness within the kingdoms. interpretation
When
- When are the events or message set? The book continues the divided-kingdom histories through Assyria's conquest of Israel and Babylon's conquest of Judah, ending with a notice concerning Jehoiachin. book background
Where
- What is the book’s geographic setting? The narrative ranges through Israel and Judah, including Samaria and Jerusalem, and ends with exile in Babylon. book background
- Where does the context start? This passage sits in Elijah Denounces Ahaziah (2 Kings 1:1 to 2 Kings 1:16). Start reading at 2 Kings 1:1. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
- How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? Jesus cites the cleansing of Naaman in His discourse at Nazareth. This supplies a specific connection to the book's prophetic narratives and challenges assumptions about privilege. See 2 Kings 5:14, Luke 4:27. interpretation
- How should this book guide our response? Hear warnings before repeated refusal hardens into habit. Reform, repentance, and faithfulness should be assessed from the narrated response to God's word, not merely a ruler's reputation. interpretation
Cited: 2 Kings 1:1, 2 Kings 1:16, 2 Kings 5:14, Luke 4:27
Who wrote it, and how we know
Jeremiah (traditional)
From early tradition
What Scripture saysThe book does not name its author. It cites older court records as sources.
2 Kings 1:182 Kings 15:11
Early traditionJewish tradition (Baba Bathra 14b) names Jeremiah.
What is debatedAuthorship is not stated. The closing events occur during the exile.
Related passages
- Behold 2 Kgs 1:10-11
- let my life 1 Sam 26:21,24 Ps 49:8 Ps 72:14 Ps 116:15 Prov 6:26 Matt 16:25-26 Acts 20:24
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of 2 Kings 1
Second Kings continues the histories of Israel and Judah through conquest and exile. Its account connects the kingdoms' destruction with persistent covenant unfaithfulness, while ending with a limited sign of favor toward Jehoiachin. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement.
2 Kings 17:7 2 Kings 23:27 2 Kings 25:27
Jehoram Succeeds Ahaziah
2 Kings 1:17–18FocusThe prophetic word continues
Connection to the wholeThis unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. The transition between prophets and Elisha's acts carry forward the prophetic witness within the kingdoms.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of 2 Kings
Second Kings continues the histories of Israel and Judah through conquest and exile. Its account connects the kingdoms' destruction with persistent covenant unfaithfulness, while ending with a limited sign of favor toward Jehoiachin.
2 Kings 17:7 2 Kings 23:27 2 Kings 25:27
FocusThe prophetic word continues
Connection to the wholeThe transition between prophets and Elisha's acts carry forward the prophetic witness within the kingdoms.
interpretation The kingdoms and Israel's fall
2 Kings 8:16–17:41FocusRoyal succession, reform, and persistent sin
Connection to the wholeThe accounts of the kings culminate in Assyria's conquest of Israel and an extended explanation of the disaster.
interpretation Judah before its fall
2 Kings 18:1–23:30FocusHezekiah, Manasseh, and Josiah
Connection to the wholeThe reigns contrast trust, grave unfaithfulness, and reform while the announced judgment on Judah remains in view.
interpretation Jerusalem falls and Judah is exiled
2 Kings 23:31–25:30FocusDestruction and a final note of favor
Connection to the wholeBabylon's conquest ends the kingdom's rule in Jerusalem; the closing notice concerning Jehoiachin leaves the reader beyond the destruction itself.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.