Useful Bible Studies > 2 Kings Commentary > chapter 1
The prophet (holy man) Elijah carried out most of his work for God during Ahab’s rule (1 Kings chapters 17 to 21). God guided Elijah and answered his prayers in an extremely powerful manner. In the next few chapters, we will read about Elisha, whom God told Elijah to appoint as prophet after him. However, during Ahaziah’s short rule, Elijah was still the principal prophet in Israel.
After Ahaziah suffered a terrible injury, he chose to inquire of Baal-Zebub. Baal-Zebub was the false god of Ekron in Philistia. At the time of Omri, Ahaziah’s grandfather, Philistia was an enemy of Israel (1 Kings 16:15-16). Now. Ahaziah had chosen to give honour to one of the gods of that foreign nation.
The message that God gave Elijah asked an important question. The question was whether there was no God in Israel.
The fact is that Ahaziah’s family and the kings before them had made many places for religion in Israel. The images of false gods had become common. Ahaziah’s parents had even introduced new religions into Israel (1 Kings 16:29-33). Formerly, Ahaziah served them all (1 Kings 22:52-53), now he trusted none of them.
In all of this wrong religion, Ahaziah had refused to give any attention to the one true God. Only the real God is truly the God of Israel. He had shown his power through Elijah’s work. He was eager to answer his people’s prayers.
However, in his decision to pray to Baal-Zebub. Ahaziah showed that he was completely against the true God. So God declared his judgment against him. Ahaziah would not recover from his injury. Instead, he would die.
Next part: Ahaziah's officials tell him Elijah's message (2 Kings 1:5-8)
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