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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Kings 1

We here find Ahaziah, the genuine son and successor of Ahab, on the throne of Israel. His reign continued not two years; he died by a fall in his own house, of which, after the mention of the revolt of Moab (2 Kgs. 1:1), we have here an account. I. The message which, on that occasion, he sent to the god of Ekron, 2 Kgs. 1:2. II. The message he received from the God of Israel, 2 Kgs. 1:3-8. III. The destruction of the messengers he sent to seize the prophet, once and again, 2 Kgs. 1:9-12. IV.... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Kings 1

      This second book of the Kings (which the LXX., numbering from Samuel, called the fourth) is a continuation of the former book; and, some think, might better have been made to begin with the 1 Kings 22:51-53, where the reign of Ahaziah begins. The former book had an illustrious beginning, in the glories of the kingdom of Israel, when it was entire; this has a melancholy conclusion, in the desolations of the kingdoms of Israel first, and then of Judah, after they had been long broken into... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Kings 1:1-8

We have here Ahaziah, the wicked king of Israel, under God's rebukes both by his providence and by his prophet, by his rod and by his word. I. He is crossed in his affairs. How can those expect to prosper that do evil in the sight of the Lord, and provoke him to anger? When he rebelled against God, and revolted from his allegiance to him, Moab rebelled against Israel, and revolted from the subjection that had long paid to the kings of Israel, 2 Kgs. 1:1. The Edomites that bordered on Judah,... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Kings 1:9-18

Here, I. The king issues out a warrant for the apprehending of Elijah. If the God of Ekron had told him he should die, it is probable he would have taken it quietly; but now that a prophet of the Lord tells him so, reproving him for his sin and reminding him of the God of Israel, he cannot bear it. So far is he from making any good improvement of the warning given him that he is enraged against the prophet; neither his sickness, nor the thoughts of death, made any good impressions upon him,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 1

INTRODUCTION TO 2 KINGS 1 This chapter begins with the rebellion of Moab against Israel, 2 Kings 1:1 , relates a fall of the king of Israel in his house, which brought on him a sickness, about which he sent messengers to inquire of the god of Ekron, who were stopped by Elijah, and bid to return, as they did; and upon the king's examination of them about the cause of their return, he perceived it was Elijah that forbad them, 2 Kings 1:2 , upon which the king sent to him two captains,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 1:1

Then Moab rebelled against Israel after the death of Ahab. Which had been in subjection to them from the times of David, 2 Samuel 8:2 refusing to pay a tribute as they had done; taking advantage of Ahab's ill success with the king of Syria, and of his death, and the condition and circumstances of his successor. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 1:2

And Ahaziah fell down a lattice in his upper chamber that was in Samaria ,.... Which was either a window or lattice in the form of network, to let in light; or rather were the rails of a balcony or battlement on the roof of his palace, in this form, on which leaning, it broke down, and he fell into the garden or court yard; or walking on the roof of his house, and treading unawares on a sky light, which let in light into a room underneath, he fell through it into it: and was sick ; the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 1:3

But the angel of the Lord said unto Elijah ,.... One of the ministering spirits sent by the Lord to him: arise, go up to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria : that is, the king of Israel, whose capital city was Samaria: is it not because there is not a God in Israel ; known, acknowledged, and worshipped there, of whom there had been sufficient proof of his deity and divine perfections, as omniscience, omnipotence, &c.; that ye go to inquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekron... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 1:4

Now therefore thus saith the Lord ,.... Jehovah, the only true God: thou shalt not come down from that bed on which thou art gone up, but shall surely die ; this sickness should be unto death, and the bed he had betaken himself to should be his deathbed. The phrases of going up to bed, and coming down, are used with great propriety; for in the eastern countries, in their bedchambers, they had a gallery raised four or five feet above the floor, with a balustrade on the front F4 See... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 1:5

And when the messengers turned back unto him ,.... To Ahaziah king of Israel, as they did as soon as Elijah was gone from them; concluding from his habit, his gravity, and the authority with which he spoke, that he was a prophet of the Lord, and especially from his knowledge of them, and of what they were sent about: he said unto them, why are ye now turned back ? for, by the time they had been gone, he knew they could never have been at Ekron and returned. read more

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