Useful Bible Studies > 2 Kings Commentary > chapter 1
It was an extraordinary decision for a king’s officials not to carry out his command. Ahaziah had sent them to pray for him at the holy place of the false god Baal-Zebub in Ekron. He sent them there because his life was in serious danger. He wanted them to inquire of that false god, to know whether he would recover.
The officials returned at once because, on their journey, they received a message – not from a false god, but from the real God. That message told them that Ahaziah would die. They returned immediately in order to give him as much time as possible to prepare for his death. In particular, he needed to decide who would be the next king. Ahaziah had no son (1:17), but he had 70 brothers (10:1). There would be war in Israel if it was not clear who to appoint as the next king.
Ahaziah demanded to know who had given them that message from God. The officials did not name Elijah, but they described him. He was wearing the simple, rough clothes that the poorest people wore. Other people dressed like that when they were deeply sad (1 Kings 21:27). The prophets (holy men) of the true God dressed like that because they were deeply sad about the state of their country. They prayed much, and they urged the people to turn back to God. Probably, the prophets of false gods wore impressive clothes.
Ahaziah perhaps recognised Elijah more clearly from his message than from his description. Elijah was the prophet whom God sent to declare his (God’s) judgment against Ahaziah’s whole family in 1 Kings 21:17-24.
Next part: Fire from heaven twice prevents Elijah's arrest (2 Kings 1:9-12)
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