2 Kings 1:1-9 ASV

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 1:8

A hairy man ; literally, a lord of hair ( בַּעַל שַׂעָר ). Some take the meaning to be that he was rough and unkempt, with his hair and beard long; and so the LXX ; who give ἀνὴρ δασύς . But the more usual explanation is that he wore a shaggy coat of untanned skin, with the hair outward. Such a garment seems certainly to have been worn by the later prophets ( Zechariah 13:4 ; Matthew 3:4 ), and to have been regarded as a sign of their profession. But there is no... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 1:9

The king sent unto him a captain of fifty. "Captains of fifties" were first instituted in the wilderness by the advice of Jethro ( Exodus 18:21-25 ). Though not expressly mentioned in the military organization of David, they probably formed a part of it, and so passed into the institutions of the kingdom of Israel. With his fifty. Some recognition of Elijah's superhuman power would seem to have led Ahaziah to send so large a body. His doing so was a sort of challenge to the prophet to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 1:9-16

The spirit we are of-the old dispensation and the new. I. THE SPIRIT OF THE OLD DISPENSATION . The spirit of the Law was strict, stern, inexorable justice. "Cursed be the man that maketh any graven or molten image …. Cursed be he that setteth light by his father or his mother …. Cursed be he that removeth his neighbor's landmark," etc. ( Deuteronomy 27:15-26 ); "He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death" ( Exodus 21:17 ); " Eye for eye, tooth for tooth,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 1:9-16

The prophet of fire. The act of Elijah, in calling down fire from heaven on his enemies, is thus remarked upon by Dean Stanley, with reference to Christ's allusion to it in the gospel ( Luke 9:51-56 ). "When the two apostles appealed to the example of Elijah 'to call down fire from heaven,' he to whom they spoke turned away with indignation from the remembrance of this act, even of the greatest of his prophetic predecessors". We cannot endorse this remark. Jesus, indeed, gently rebuked his... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 1:9-18

Man in three aspects. "Then the king sent unto him a captain of fifty," etc. In this paragraph we have man in three aspects. I. MAN RUINED THROUGH THE CONDUCT OF OTHERS . The messengers which the king sent to Elijah—fifty each time on three different occasions—were all, except the last fifty, destroyed by lightning. This awful judgment came upon them, not merely on their own account—although, like all sinners, they had forfeited their lives to eternal justice—but as... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Kings 1:1

The Moabites, who had once lorded over Israel Judges 3:12-14, were reduced to subjection by David, and treated with extreme severity (marginal reference). In the time of Ahab they were dependent on the kingdom of Israel, to which it has been generally supposed that they fell at the separation of Israel from Judah. The Moabite monument (see 2 Kings 3:4), discovered in 1869, has now given reason to believe that they then recovered their independence, but were again reduced by Omri, who, with his... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Kings 1:2

A lattice - The “upper chamber” had probably a single latticed window, through which Ahaziah fell. Windows in the East are to this day generally closed by lattices of interlaced wood, which open outward; so that, if the fastening is not properly secured, one who leans against them may easily fall out.Baal-zebub - literally, “Lord (i. e., averter) of flies.” Flies in the East constitute one of the most terrible of plages Psalms 105:31; Exodus 8:24; and Orientals would be as likely to have a “god... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Kings 1:4

Therefore ... - As a punishment for this insult to Yahweh. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Kings 1:8

An hairy man - Either in allusion to his shaggy cloak of untanned skin; or, more probably, an expression descriptive of the prophet’s person, of his long flowing locks, abundant beard, and general profusion of hair. His costume was that of a thorough ascetic. Generally the Jews wore girdles of linen or cotton stuff, soft and comfortable. Under the girdle they wore one or two long linen gowns or shirts, and over these they had sometimes a large shawl. Elijah had only his leather girdle and his... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Kings 1:9

Then the king sent unto him - i. e., in order to seize and punish him. Compare 1 Kings 18:10; 1 Kings 22:27. read more

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 1:8

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 1:9

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 1:9-16

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 1:9-16

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 1:9-18

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Kings 1:1

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Kings 1:2

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Kings 1:4

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Kings 1:8

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Kings 1:9

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