As we continue with Elijah’s story, we see that he was an interesting man, a Nazarite who was from the lineage of Aaron and Zadok. He spent time in the city of priests, hid in Gilead and Sidon, and told the King of Israel that it wouldn’t rain until he (Elijah) said so. Meanwhile, Ahab was shaking down all the cities while looking for Elijah, and Jezebel was murdering the prophets. When Yahweh told Elijah to show himself to Obadiah, he did, and found out that Obadiah was hiding 100 prophets. There were 450 prophets of Baal that went to Mount Carmel for the proving of their god, but there were another 400 who ate with Jezebel that did not come to Mount Carmel. So far, as we studied last week, the prophets of Baal did not get a response from Baal. The people of Israel are now watching and waiting for Elijah. Elijah also foretold of Ahaziah’s death for trying to inquire of the “lord of the flies”. Ahaziah thought that he could rough up Elijah with his army but Elijah was not to be treated poorly. Elijah wrote Jehoram of Judah a letter foretelling his death. Let’s explore.
At this point in the story the prophets of Baal have given up after yelling and cutting themselves for half a day. Elijah has a young servant with him. This is probably the young boy he brought back from death in the Widow’s house.
1 Kings 18:30 G2532 And G2036 Elijah said G* G4314 to G3588 the G2992 people, G4317 Come forward G4314 to G1473 me! G2532 And G4317 [4came forward G3956 1all G3588 2the G2992 3people] G4314 to G1473 him. G2532 And G2390 he repaired G3588 the G2379 altar, G3588 the one G2679 having been razed.
Elijah repaired the altar that Ahab had torn down, which was also where the Levites and Zadok priests made sacrifices for Israel. Later when Elijah meets with Yahweh on the mountain, we find out that all the altars in Israel were torn down.
1 Kings 18:31 G2532 And G2983 Elijah took G* G1427 twelve G3037 stones, G2596 according to G706 the number G3588 of the G5443 tribes G3588 G* of Israel, G5613 as G2980 the lord spoke G2962 G4314 to G1473 him, G3004 saying, G* Israel G1510.8.3 will be G3588 G3686 your name. G1473
32 G2532 And G3618 he built G3588 the G3037 stones G1722 in G3686 the name G2962 of the lord, G2532 and G2390 he repaired G3588 the G2379 altar G2962 of the lord, G3588 the G2679 one having been razed. G2532 And G4160 he made G2281 a sea, G5562 having the space G1417 to hold two G3355 measures G4690 of seed, G2943 round about G3588 the G2379 altar.
Elijah fixed the original altar and wrote the name of Yahweh with twelve stones. He made a moat or lake around the altar. But he is not done yet.
1 Kings 18:33 G2532 And G2007 he put G3588 the G4976.1 kindling G1909 upon G3588 the G2379 altar G3739 which G4160 he made. G2532 And G3192.1 he dismembered G3588 the G3646 whole burnt-offering, G2532 and G2007 he put it G1909 upon G3588 the G4976.1 kindling, G2532 and G4745.1 he piled G1909 upon G3588 the G2379 altar. G2532 And G2036 Elijah said, G* G2983 Bring G1473 to me G5064 four G5201 [2pitchers G5204 1water], G2532 and G2022 pour G1909 upon G3588 the G3646 whole burnt-offering, G2532 and G1909 upon G3588 the G4976.1 kindling!
34 G2532 And G2036 he said, G1208.1 Repeat it a second time! G2532 And G1208.1 they repeated it a second time. G2532 And G2036 he said, G5151.5 Do it a third time! G2532 And G5151.3 they did it a third time.
35 G2532 And G4198 [3went G3588 1the G5204 2water] G2945 round about G3588 the G2379 altar, G2532 and G3588 the G2281 sea G4130 filled G5204 with water.
Elijah put the ox on the altar with sticks, then had the people bring twelve pitchers of water to pour on the sticks and fill the moat. The prophets of Baal must have thought this was crazy. But where did they get twelve pitchers of water after a three and one half year drought? We will see later.
1 Kings 18:36 G2532 And G5613 as G1510.7.3 it was G2540 time G3588 of the G4374 offering G3588 the G2378 sacrifice, G2532 and G3854 [4came G* 1Elijah G3588 2the G4396 3prophet] G2532 and G2036 said, G2962 O lord G3588 G2316 God G* of Abraham, G2532 and G* Isaac, G2532 and G* Israel, G4594 today G1097 let it be known to G3956 all G3588 G2992 this people! G3778 G3754 that G1473 you G1510.2.2 are G2962 the lord G3588 G2316 God G* of Israel, G2532 and G1473 I am G1401 your servant, G1473 G2532 and G1223 through G1473 you G4160 I have done G3778 all these things. G3956
37 G1873 Heed G1473 me, G2962 O lord, G1873 heed G1473 me! G2532 And G1097 let [2know G3588 G2992 1this people] G3778 G3754 that G1473 you are G2962 the lord G3588 G2316 God! G2532 and G1473 you G4762 turned G3588 the G2588 heart G3588 G2992 of this people G3778 G3694 back.
“Yahweh the Elohim of Abraham and Isaac and Israel, this day come to know all the people this, that you are Yahweh the Elohim Israel and I your bondman and through you I manufacture this all. Listen me Yahweh Listen me and this people come to know that you Yahweh the Elohim and you reverse the heart this people backwards.”
It is a simple prayer. This is it. Elijah wants the people to see this miracle to turn their hearts back to Yahweh. Elijah didn’t ask for fire to fall. Elijah didn’t command a whirlwind of fire to consume the offering. He acknowledges Yahweh’s position, and his own position as a sold out bondservant, and he prayed for the people. That was it.
1 Kings 18:38 G2532 And G4098 [2fell G4442 1fire] G3844 from G2962 the lord G1537 from out of G3588 the G3772 heaven, G2532 and G2719 it devoured G3588 the G3646 whole burnt-offering, G2532 and G3588 the G4976.1 kindling, G2532 and G3588 the G5204 water G3588 G1722 in G3588 the G2281 sea, G2532 and G3588 the G3037 stones, G2532 and G3588 the G5522 dust G1587.1 was licked up G3588 by the G4442 fire.
Fire or lightning fell from Yahweh out of heaven. It consumed everything, the ox, the sticks, the water, the stones, and the dust. This happened rather quickly as Elijah’s prayer was not that long. They weren’t looking at their watches, they weren’t wondering where they should go for dinner or thinking about getting some work done around the house. They didn’t have time to consider anything but Elijah’s prayer because the lightning struck so quickly and consumed everything that even the prophets of Baal were in shock.
1 Kings 18:39 G2532 And G1492 [4saw G3956 1all G3588 2the G2992 3people], G2532 and G4098 fell G1909 upon G4383 their face. G1473 G2532 And G2036 they said, G230 Truly, G2962 the lord G1510.2.3 is G2316 God. G2962 The lord, G1473 he G1510.2.3 is G2316 God.
40 G2532 And G2036 Elijah said G* G4314 to G3588 the G2992 people, G4815 Seize G3588 the G4396 prophets G3588 G* of Baal, G3367 let not one G4982 [3escape G1537 1of G1473 2them]! G2532 And G4815 they seized G1473 them. G2532 And G2609 [2led them down G1473 G* 1Elijah] G1519 unto G3588 the G5493 rushing stream G* Kishon, G2532 and G4969 slew G1473 them G1563 there.
The people are convinced that Yahweh is Elohim, and Baal is not The Elohim. Now we know where they got the water from, the stream at Kishon. The prophets of Baal were killed by the Israelites there. Elijah had the people do the killing. The people who had all been tricked had now woken up and they murdered the false prophets.
Josephus Antiquities 8:13:6 (343) Now when the Israelites saw this, they fell down upon the ground, and worshipped one God, and called him The great and the only true God; but they called the others mere names, framed by the evil and wild opinions of men. So they caught their prophets, and, at the command of Elijah, slew them. Elijah also said to the king, that he should go to dinner without any further concern, for that in a little time he would see God send them rain.
Josephus, F., & Whiston, W. (1987). The works of Josephus: complete and unabridged (p. 238). Peabody: Hendrickson.
Notice Ahab was standing there the whole time. Ahab saw the entire thing. Did this change Ahab’s heart? No. He continued to be an evil king.
1 Kings 18:41 G2532 And G2036 Elijah said G* G3588 G* to Ahab, G305 Ascend, G2532 and G2068 eat, G2532 and G4095 drink! G3754 for G5456 it is the sound G3588 of the G2279 noise G3588 of the G5205 rain.
42 G2532 And G305 Ahab ascended G* G3588 G2068 to eat G2532 and G4095 to drink. G2532 And G* Elijah G305 ascended G1519 unto G3588 G* Carmel, G2532 and G2955 bowed G1909 upon G3588 the G1093 ground, G2532 and G5087 put G3588 G4383 his face G1473 G303.1 between G3588 G1119 his knees. G1473
While the people are killing the prophets of Baal, Ahab goes up to eat and drink, while Elijah goes up the mountain and prays.
1 Kings 18:43 G2532 And G2036 he said G3588 to G3808 his servant-lad, G1473 G305 Ascend, G2532 and G1914 look G3598 the way G3588 of the G2281 sea! G2532 And G305 [3ascended G2532 4and G1914 5looked G3588 1the G3808 2servant-lad]. G2532 And G2036 he said, G3756 There is G1510.2.3 G3762 nothing. G2532 And G2036 Elijah said, G* G1994 Return G2034 seven times!
We see that Elijah has a servant-lad or young servant. Since Jezebel killed the prophets (except for the ones that Obadiah had saved) this boy was probably the one that Elijah had raised back to life. The boy goes back seven times to look for some sort of sign.
1Kings 18:44 G2532 And G1096 it came to pass G1722 in G3588 the G1442 seventh time, G2532 and G2400 behold, G3507 [2cloud G3397 1a small] G5613 as G2487 the sole G435 of a man's foot G321 came G5204 with water G575 from G2281 the sea. G2532 And G2036 he said, G305 Ascend G2532 and G2036 say G3588 G* to Ahab! G2200.1 Team up G3588 G716 your chariot, G1473 G2532 and G2597 go down, G3361 lest G2638 [3should overtake G1473 4you G3588 1the G5205 2rain]!
A cloud shaped like the sole of a man’s foot appears. Josephus also records this as a cloud like a man’s foot. I am not sure why someone had to change it to a man’s hand. The cloud was as small as the soul of a man’s foot, but it came with water. It was like a water spout, a tornado over the ocean. The cloud was sucking up water from the sea. The storm approached.
1 Kings 18:45 G2532 And G1096 it happened G2193 from G5602 here G2532 and G5602 here, G2532 and G3588 the G3772 heaven G4951.5 darkened G1722 with G3507 clouds G2532 and G4151 wind, G2532 and G1096 there became G5205 [2rain G3173 1a great]. G2532 And G2460.1 Ahab rode horseback, G2532 and G4198 went G1519 unto G* Jezreel.
“And it came into being as far as in this spot and in this spot and the heavens sat down in clouds and pneuma, wind, and came into being mega rain.”
This was a storm only the Elohim could produce. A water spout sucked up the water put it in a cloud with wind, and then it rained. Ahab rode a horse back to Jezreel.
1 Kings 18:46 G2532 And G5495 the hand G2962 of the lord G1096 came G1909 upon G3588 G* Elijah, G2532 and G4963.1 he fastened G3588 G3751 his loin, G1473 G2532 and G5143 he ran G1715 in front of G* Ahab G2193 unto G* Jezreel.
“And hand Yahweh came into being on Elijah and tightened his loins/girdle and ran in front of Ahab as far as Jezreel.”
Ahab is riding a horse, but Elijah could run faster than Ahab’s horse. Elijah’s young servant must have run with him to Jezreel, as we see the boy with him later as they ran to Beersheba in Judah.
1 Kings 19:1 G2532 And G312 Ahab announced G* G3588 G* to Jezebel G3956 all G3745 as much as G4160 Elijah did, G* G2532 and G5613 as G615 to kill G3588 the G4396 prophets G1722 by G4501 the broadsword.
2 G2532 And G649 Jezebel sent G* G4314 to G* Elijah, G2532 and G2036 said, G3592 Thus G4160 may [3do G1473 4to me G3588 1the G2316 2gods], G2532 and G3592 thus G4369 may they add, G3754 that G3778 this G3588 G5610 hour G839 tomorrow G5087 I shall put G3588 G5590 your life G1473 G2531 as G5590 the life G1520 of one G1537 G1473 of them.
Jezebel hears all the news from Ahab as to what transpired and Jezebel then threatens to kill Elijah. This is where we picked up the story a few weeks ago. Elijah and his young servant run to Beersheba. Elijah leaves his young servant in Beersheba and continues into the Jordan wilderness and then on to Horeb. Yahweh asks Elijah why he is at Horeb. Elijah tells him that the people rejected Yahweh, they tore down the altars where the Levites sacrificed, and that he is the only one left. Yahweh tells Elijah that he will pass by and to come to the entrance of the cave when he does. Yahweh passed by. There was a spirit or wind that crushed rocks, a sonic boom, lightning, and an aura with a light sound, and then there was Yahweh. Elijah covers his head with a sheepskin so that he doesn’t see Yahweh, and then Yahweh asks Elijah again, “Why are you Here Elijah?” Yahweh had already asked that question, but Elijah was probably in awe of Yahweh and so he couldn’t speak. He is instructed to go back north to Syria, anoint Hazel as King of Syria, get Elisha, and get ready to anoint and instruct Jehu.
https://musingsofawinsomeheart.blogspot.com/2021/04/elijah-yahweh-passes-by-jehu-hazael.html
Meanwhile, Ahab defeats Ben-Hadad a few times, and then whines about wanting Naboth’s vineyard. Yahweh tells Elijah (who now has Elisha with him) to tell Ahab what is going to happen to him and his family. Yahweh relents because Ahab repents, so the prophecies come upon the family after Ahab dies.
1 Kings 21:28 G2532 And G1096 came to pass G4487 the word G2962 of the lord G4314 to G* Elijah G3588 the G* Tishbite, G2532 and G2036 he said,
29 G3708 Have you seen G5613 that G2660 Ahab was vexed G* G575 in front G4383 G1473 of me? G473 Because G3739 G3754 G2660 he was vexed G575 in front G4383 G1473 of me, G3756 I shall not bring G1863 G3588 the G2549 evil G1722 in G3588 G2250 his days, G1473 G237.1 but only G1722 in G3588 the G2250 days G3588 G5207 of his son G1473 G1863 will I bring G3588 the G2549 evil G1909 upon G3588 G3624 his house. G1473
Ahab dies and Ahaziah, Ahab’s son, takes over as king. Ahaziah falls through a lattice in his attic and as a result becomes infirm. Instead of looking for the prophets of Yahweh, or for Elijah, Ahaziah sends messengers to inquire of Baal Musca, god of Ekron.
2 Kings 1:1 G2532 And G114 Moab annulled allegiance G* G1722 with G* Israel G3326 after G3588 the G599 dying G* of Ahab.
2 G2532 And G4098 Ahaziah fell G* G1223 through G3588 the G1350.2 lattice G3588 G1722 in G3588 G5253 his upper room, G1473 G3588 G1722 in G* Samaria, G2532 and G731.2 was infirm. G2532 And G649 he sent for G32 messengers, G2532 and G2036 he said G4314 to G1473 them, G4198 Go G2532 and G1905 ask G1223 of G3588 G* Baal G3454.1 the fly G2316 god G* of Ekron G1487 if G2198 I shall live G1537 through G3588 G731.3 [3infirmity G1473 2my G3778 1this]! G2532 And G4198 they went G1905 to ask.
Baal means “lord”. Musca, μυίαν, is a fly that lays its eggs in decaying flesh. Baal Musca is god in Ekron. Ahaziah is asking for an answer from the lord of the flies, who is the god of Ekron, a northern Philistine region along the border of Judah. Only the Philistines would worship a botfly as their god. Who was Ahaziah’s mother? Jezebel. Ahaziah grew up thinking that all gods were the same. At this time there were only 400 prophets of Baal left in Samaria. Ahaziah grew up in a place of privilege and that is how he behaves. Ahaziah should have known better, the lord of the flies can’t help him.
2 Kings 1:3 G2532 And G32 an angel G2962 of the lord G2980 spoke G4314 to G* Elijah G3588 the G* Tishbite, G3004 saying, G450 Rise up, G1204 go G1519 to G4877 meet G3588 the G32 messengers G* of Ahaziah G935 king G* of Samaria! G2532 and G2980 say G4314 to G1473 them, G1487 Is it G1223 on account of G3588 the G3361 not being G1510.1 G2316 a God G1722 in G* Israel G1473 you G4198 go G1905 to ask G1223 of G3588 G* Baal G3454.1 the fly G2316 god G* of Ekron?
“Whether on account of not being Elohim in Israel you journey to inquire of the Baal Musca, elohim of Ekron.”
What happened to the prophets in Israel? What happened to Levitical service in Israel? What happened to the Elohim of Israel? Ahab and Jezebel got rid of as much Hebraic religious service as they could. If we think this through, Ahab was at Mount Carmel and saw the failure of the prophets of Baal. Ahaziah would have heard about it even if Ahab his father hadn’t told him. Yet he still calls on a Baal from a different country. Ahaziah is going to die.
2 Kings 1:4 G1223 On account of G3778 this G3592 thus G3004 says G2962 the lord, G3588 The G2825 bed G1909 upon G3739 which G305 you ascended G1909 upon G1473 it, G3756 you shall not G2597 go G575 from G1473 it, G3754 for G2288 to death G599 you shall die. G2532 And G4198 Elijah went, G* G2532 and G2036 spoke G4314 to G1473 them.
Because Ahaziah rejected Yahweh the God of Israel, he will die. Elijah told all of this to the messengers.
2 Kings 1:5 G2532 And G1994 [3returned G3588 1the G32 2messengers] G4314 to G1473 him. G2532 And G2036 he said G4314 to G1473 them, G5100 Why G3754 is it that G654 you have returned?
6 G2532 And G2036 they said G4314 to G1473 him, G435 A man G305 ascended G1519 to G4877 meet G1473 us, G2532 and G2036 he said G4314 to G1473 us, G1205 Go, G1994 return G4314 to G3588 the G935 king, G3588 the G649 one sending G1473 you, G2532 and G2980 say G4314 to G1473 him! G3592 Thus G3004 says G2962 the lord, G1487 Is it G3844 because G3588 G3361 there is no G1510.1 G2316 God G1722 in G* Israel G1473 you G4198 go G1934 to seek anxiously G1722 by G3588 G* Baal G3454.1 the fly G2316 god G* of Ekron? G1223 On account of G3778 this, G3588 the G2825 bed G1909 upon G3739 which G305 you ascended G1909 upon G1473 it, G3756 you shall not G2597 go G575 from G1473 it, G3754 for G2288 to death G599 you shall die.
Why would a lord of the flies be a good idol to confer with? Well the Baals of Samaria were worthless and Ahab’s family had a hardness towards Yahweh, so the next “local” god was the lord of the flies in Ekron.
2 Kings 1:7 G2532 And G2036 [3said G1473 4to them G3588 1the G935 2king], G5100 What G3588 was the G2920 distinguishing mark G3588 of the G435 man G3588 G305 ascending G1519 to G4877 meet G1473 you, G2532 and G2980 speaking G4314 to G1473 you G3588 G3056 these words? G3778
8 G2532 And G2036 they said G4314 to G1473 him, G435 [2man G1160.3 1 He was a hairy], G2532 and G2223 a belt G1193 made of skin G4024 was girded upon G3588 G3751 his loin. G1473 G2532 And G2036 he said, G* [2Elijah G3588 3the G* 4Tishbite G3778 1This is].
Clearly Ahaziah knew Elijah. Elijah was a Nazarite. People knew what he looked like even if they had not seen him.
2 Kings 1:9 G2532 And G649 he sent G4314 to G1473 him G4004.6 a commander of fifty, G2532 and G3588 G4004 his fifty. G1473 G2532 And G305 he ascended G4314 to G1473 him. G1473 And he G1161 G2521 sat G1909 upon G3588 the G2884.2 top G3588 of the G3735 mountain. G2532 And G2980 [3spoke G3588 1the G4004.6 2commander of fifty] G4314 to G1473 him, G444 O man G3588 G2316 of God, G3588 the G935 king G2564 calls G1473 you, G2597 come down!
10 G2532 And G611 Elijah answered G* G2532 and G2036 said G4314 to G3588 the G4004.6 commander of fifty, G2532 And G1487 if G444 [2a man G3588 G2316 3of God G1473 1I am], G2597 [2shall come down G4442 1fire] G1537 from G3588 G3772 heaven G2532 and G2719 shall devour G1473 you G2532 and G3588 G4004 your fifty. G1473 G2532 And G2597 there came down G4442 fire G1537 from G3588 G3772 heaven, G2532 and G2719 devoured G1473 him G2532 and G3588 G4004 his fifty. G1473
“And if I manfaced the Elohim fire/lightning come down from out of the heaven and devour you and the fifty.”
Elijah did not pray for fire, he did not command fire. He simply said that if he is a man of God then fire/lightning would devour them. We start to recognize something here. The angel told Elijah to meet Ahaziah’s men and then Ahaziah sends some men to bring Elijah to him. The king was not in a position of physical strength and health; he was infirm and maybe even paralyzed. But instead of being humbled by the destruction of the first fifty soldiers he sends another fifty.
2 Kings 1:11 G2532 And G4369 [3proceeded G3588 1the G935 2king], G2532 and G649 he sent G4314 to G1473 him G243 another G4004.6 commander of fifty, G2532 and G3588 G4004 his fifty. G1473 G2532 And G305 [3ascended G3588 1the G4004.6 2commander of fifty] G2532 and G2980 spoke G4314 to G1473 him, G2532 and G2036 said, G444 O man G3588 G2316 of God, G3592 thus G3004 says G3588 the G935 king, G5030 Quickly G2597 come down!
12 G2532 And G611 Elijah answered G* G2532 and G2036 said G4314 to G1473 him, G1487 If G444 [2a man G3588 G2316 3of God G1473 1I am], G2597 [2shall come down G4442 1fire] G1537 from G3588 G3772 heaven, G2532 and G2719 shall devour G1473 you G2532 and G3588 G4004 your fifty. G1473 G2532 And G2597 there came down G4442 fire G1537 from G3588 G3772 heaven G2532 and G2719 devoured G1473 him G2532 and G3588 G4004 his fifty. G1473
It is easy to see that Elijah was not going anywhere until he was told by the angel to go. The angelic host surrounding Elijah is torching Ahaziah’s army. Just a side comment, kings and politicians do not typically care how many people die if their pride is hurt. Here is a king on his deathbed who has no physical strength or fighting ability at the moment, but he thinks he can harm a man of Yahweh Elohim. The third commander is smarter than the other two.
2 Kings 1:13 G2532 And G4369 [3proceeded G3588 1the G935 2king] G2089 again G649 to send G4004.6 [2commander of fifty G5154 1a third] G2532 and G3588 G4004 his fifty. G1473 G2532 And G2064 [4came G3588 1the G4004.6 3commander of fifty G3588 G5154 2third], G2532 and G2578 he bent G1909 upon G3588 G1119 his knees G1473 G2713 in front of G3588 G* Elijah, G2532 and G1189 beseeched G1473 him, G2532 and G2980 spoke G4314 to G1473 him, G2532 and G2036 said, G444 O man G3588 G2316 of God, G1783.3 value G1211 indeed G3588 G5590 my life, G1473 G2532 and G3588 the G5590 lives G3588 G1401 of your servants -- G1473 G3778 these G3588 G4004 fifty, G1722 in G3788 your eyes! G1473
“Manfaced of Elohim honest truly my soul life and the soul life my bondmen this fifty in your eyes.”
Humility spared this captain and his men.
2 Kings 1:14 G2400 Behold, G2597 there came down G4442 fire G1537 from G3588 the G3772 heaven, G2532 and G2719 devoured G3588 the G1417 [2two G4004.6 3commanders of fifties G3588 G4413 1first] G2532 and G3588 G4004 their fifties. G1473 G2532 And G3568 now G1783.3 value G1211 indeed G3588 the G5590 life G3588 G1401 of your servants G1473 G1722 in G3788 your eyes! G1473
The captain recites what happened to the other two captains and their men and this time the angel of Yahweh tells Elijah to go down.
2 Kings 1:15 G2532 And G2980 [3said G32 1 the angel G2962 2of the lord] G4314 to G* Elijah, G2597 Go down G3326 with G1473 him, G3361 you should not G5399 fear G575 from G4383 their presence. G1473 G2532 And G450 Elijah rose up G* G2532 and G2597 went down G3326 with G1473 them G4314 to G3588 the G935 king.
“Go down after him not fear away from their faces.”
If anyone was shaking on their way to the king it would have been the fifty men and their captain. They saw what had happened to the other guys. They knew that they could not overpower Elijah. They probably walked very lightly, politely, and respectfully with Elijah.
2 Kings 1:16 G2532 And G2980 he said G4314 to G1473 him, G3592 Thus G3004 says G2962 the lord, G446.2 Because G649 you sent G32 messengers G1905 to ask G1722 to G3588 G* Baal G3454.1 the fly G2316 god G* of Ekron, G5616 as if G3361 there was not G1510.7.3 G2316 a God G1722 in G* Israel G3588 G1905 to ask G3588 the G3056 word G1473 of him, G1223 on account of G3778 this G3588 the G2825 bed G1909 upon G3739 which G305 you ascended G1909 upon G1473 it, G3756 you shall not G2597 go down G575 from G1473 it, G3754 for G2288 in death G599 you shall die.
“This says Yahweh, because sent forth messengers to inquire in the lord of the flies, god of Ekron, just as if was not Elohim in Israel to inquire of His word, on account of this, the couch on this ascend on you not step down away from you that death die off.”
Imagine Elijah speaking this to Ahaziah while the captain and his fifty men stand by.
2 Kings 1:17 G2532 And G599 he died G2596 according to G3588 the G4487 saying G2962 of the lord G3739 which G2980 Elijah spoke. G1473 G2532 And G936 [5reigned G* 1Jehoram G3588 2the G80 3brother G* 4of Ahaziah] G473 instead G1473 of him, G3754 (for G3756 there was no G1510.7.3 G1473 son to him) G5207 G1722 in G3588 the G2094 [2year G3588 G1208 1second] G* of Jehoram G5207 son G* of Jehoshaphat G935 king G* of Judah.
Ahaziah died, then Jehoram, Ahab’s second son, took his place as king. Jehoram was a little smarter than his predecessor in that he listened to Elisha for several years before Jehu killed Ahab’s family along with Jezebel.
Let’s review. Elijah prayed for the people’s hearts to turn back to Yahweh and lightning burnt up the offering and the surrounding elements. Then Elijah said to two military captains that ‘if he is a man of God lightning would devour them and their men’. Elijah didn’t command fire or demand fire. Elijah didn’t pray for fire either. Fire or lightning simply happened.
Elijah also wrote a letter, a prophetic letter to Jehoram the king in Judah, before he (Elijah) was taken up. Jehoram was king in Judah for two years before Ahazaiah died, and then Jehoram son of Ahab reigned in Israel. Don’t confuse this Jehoram to whom Elijah sent a letter, with the Jehoram in the northern kingdom; this Jehoram of Judah was a son of Jehoshaphat. Ahab’s second son Jehoram was king in the northern kingdom. The Jehoram of the southern kingdom married a daughter of Ahab and brought Ahab’s evil idolatry to the southern kingdom, making high places and causing the people of Jerusalem to commit fornication. Jehoram of Judah, followed in the ways of the northern kingdom.
Upon his death Jehoshaphat left his children an inheritance with fenced cities to live in and left Jehoram the kingdom as he was the first born. Jehoram, when he was thirty two years old, killed his siblings and took their inheritance and their cities. As a reminder, Yahweh was not going to terminate the house of David. Yet Elijah’s letter to Jehoram told him of his imminent death.
2 Chronicles 21:12 G2532 And G2064 there came G1473 to him G1722 in G1124 writing G3844 words by G* Elijah G3588 the G4396 prophet, G3004 saying, G3592 Thus G3004 says G2962 the lord, G3588 the G2316 God G* of David G3588 G3962 your father, G1473 G446.2 Because G3756 you did not G4198 go G1722 in G3598 the way G* of Jehoshaphat G3588 G3962 your father, G1473 G2532 and G1722 in G3598 the ways G* of Asa G935 king G* of Judah,
13 G2532 and G4198 went G1722 in G3598 the ways G935 of the king G* of Israel, G2532 and G1608 fornicated G3588 G* Judah, G2532 and G3588 the G2730 ones dwelling G1722 in G* Jerusalem, G5613 as G1608 [3fornicated G3624 1 the house G* 2of Ahab], G2532 and also G3588 G80 your brothers, G1473 G5207 sons G3588 G3962 of your father, G1473 G3588 the G18 good ones G5228 over G1473 you, G615 you killed.
“This speaks Yahweh the Elohim of David your father, because not go in path Jehoshaphat your father and in the path of Asa king of Judah and go in path king of Israel and commit fornication Judah and the inhabitants in Jerusalem like as house Ahab committed fornication, and your brothers, sons your father, the good natured for the sake of, you killed outright.”
Yahweh expected the kings to lead their nation the way that David had. Yahweh was not pleased that Jehoram killed his siblings. Apparently Jehoram’s siblings were good people, while Jehoram was evil.
2 Chronicles 21:14 G2400 Behold, G2962 the lord G3960 shall strike G1473 you G4127 [2calamity G3173 1 with a great] G1722 among G3588 G2992 your people, G1473 G2532 and G1722 among G3588 G5207 your sons, G1473 G2532 and G1722 among G3588 G1135 your wives, G1473 G2532 and G1722 among G3956 all G3588 G643.1 your belongings; G1473
15 G2532 and G1473 you G1510.8.2 shall be G1722 in G731.3 [2sicknesses G4190 1severe] G1722 in G3554 disease G2836 of your bellies, G1473 G2193 until G3739 of which time G1831 [2should come forth G3588 G1781.1 1your innards] G1473 G575 from G3588 the G731.3 sickness G1537 of G2250 days G1519 by G2250 days.
“Look, Yahweh smite you mega wound in your people and in your sons and in your wives and in all your belongings and you will be in grievous illness in sickness your abdomen until that your intestines come out from the illness from out of day into day.”
This is going to be an ugly death that all the people will see.
2 Chronicles 21:16 G2532 And G1892 the lord roused G2962 G1909 [3against G* 4Jehoram G3588 1the G246 2Philistines], G2532 and G3588 the G* Arabians, G2532 and G3588 the ones G3672.7 adjoining G3588 the G* Ethiopians.
“And Yahweh excite on Jehoram the Philistines and the Arabians and the neighboring Ethiopians.”
Yahweh is directing the heathen armies.
2 Chronicles 21:17 G2532 And G305 they ascended G1909 against G* Judah, G2532 and G2616 overpowered it, G1473 G2532 and G162 captured G3956 all G3588 the G5223 possessions G3739 which G2147 they found G1722 in G3624 the house G3588 of the G935 king, G2532 and G3588 the houses G5207 of his sons, G1473 G2532 and G3588 G2364 his daughters. G1473 G2532 And G3756 there was not left G2641 G1473 to him G5207 a son G237.1 except G* Jehoahaz G3588 the G3501 youngest G3588 G5207 of his sons. G1473
Josephus explains this a bit differently.
Joseph Antiquities 9:5:3. (102) It was not long after this that an army of those Arabians that lived near to Ethiopia, and of the Philistines, fell upon the kingdom of Jehoram, and spoiled the country and the king’s house; moreover, they slew his sons and his wives; one only of his sons was left him, who escaped the enemy; his name was Ahaziah;
Josephus, F., & Whiston, W. (1987). The works of Josephus: complete and unabridged (p. 252). Peabody: Hendrickson.
Notice how Yahweh did this, he inspired the Arabians to come against Jehoram. They exercised dominion against Judah, and took all the goods in Jehoram’s house. They killed Jehoram’s children except the youngest Jehoahaz. Yahweh is preserving the Davidic line. Jehoram saw all of this, then he gets sick.
2 Chronicles 21:18 G2532 And G3326 after G3778 all these things G3956 G3960 [2struck G1473 3him G2962 1 the lord] G1722 in G3588 G2836 his belly G1473 G1722 with G731.3 a sickness G1722 in G3739 which G3756 there is no G1510.2.3 G2394.2 healing.
“And in the midst of this all Yahweh smite him in his abdomen in illness in that is not medical practices.”
There was no medical cure for exploding intestines.
2 Chronicles 21:19 G2532 And G1096 it happened G1537 from G2250 days G1519 unto G2250 days, G2532 and G5613 as G2064 [2came G3588 G2540 1his time] G1473 G1519 in G2250 [2days G1417 1two], G1831 there came forth G3588 G1781.1 his innards G1473 G3326 with G3588 G2836 his belly G1722 in G731.3 his sickness. G1473 G2532 And G599 he died G1722 in G731.3 [2sicknesses G4190 1severe], G2532 and G3756 [2did not make G4169 G1473 4to him G3588 G2992 1his people G1473 G1630.1 3a funeral], G2532 nor G2740 a burning G2596 according to G3588 the G2740 burning G3588 G3962 of his fathers. G1473
“And came into being from out of day into day and like as his due measure came into two days come out his intestines in the midst of the abdomen in his illness. And died in grievous illness and he not of what nature exposure his people and burning downward the burning his fathers.”
Some translations say it took two years for Jehoram to die, but it only took two days. As soon as he saw the armies come after his belongings and his children, he got sick, and it took two days for his intestines to burst out of his abdomen. Because of the exposure or revealing of his bowels the people didn’t burn his body like they did when they honored the previous kings. It seems as if his intestine burst, poisoned him, and his bowels failed and his intestines came out, and because this was seen and exposed, the people entombed him in a regular grave not in the tombs of the kings.
2 Chronicles 21:20 G1510.7.3 He was G5144 thirty G2532 and G1417 two G2094 years old G1722 in G3588 G936 his reigning, G1473 G2532 and G3638 eight G2094 years G936 he reigned G1722 in G* Jerusalem. G2532 And G4198 he went G1722 in G3756 not G1868 high praise. G2532 And G2290 they entombed him G1722 in G4172 the city G* of David, G2532 and G3756 not G1722 in G5028 the tombs G3588 of the G935 kings.
Elijah gave Jehoram an exact cause of death for his evil behaviors. Jehoram’s sin had to be dealt with because of the line of David. Elijah’s prophecy by letter to Jehoram of Judah was just as effective as speaking to Ahaziah of Israel in person.
Notice what happened with Jesus and his disciples.
Luke 9:51 G1096 And it came to pass G1161 G1722 in G3588 the G4845 filling up G3588 the G2250 days G3588 G354 of his being lifted up, G1473 G2532 and G1473 he G3588 G4383 [2his face G1473 G4741 1firmly fixed] G3588 G4198 to go G1519 into G* Jerusalem.
By this time Israel was split into three sections, the northern portion, Galilee, the middle portion, Samaria, and the southern portion, Judah/Jerusalem. The miracles that Elijah had performed were done in the Samaria region which had been the capital of the northern kingdom. But after the northern kingdom’s captivity the land was resettled by people who were mixed Hebrews and Assyrians. The Assyrians merged the people that they conquered with their own people so that they were no longer a separate nation in captivity. The southern kingdom’s captivity was different in that they remained a separate people in Babylon, and when they were allowed to resettle in Judah they eliminated any foreigners from amongst them. When the region was resettled the “good Jews” traveled around Samaria to journey north and south. They considered the Samaritans dogs. But Jesus traveled through Samaria and made disciples there.The Samaritans believed on Jesus as the Messiah. They did not want Jesus to go to Jerusalem and be crucified. This is why it seems like there is contention here.
Luke 9:52 G2532 And G649 he sent G32 messengers G4253 before G4383 his face. G1473 G2532 And G4198 having gone, G1525 they entered G1519 into G2968 a town G* of Samaritans, G5620 so as G2090 to prepare G1473 for him.
53 G2532 And G3756 they did not G1209 receive G1473 him, G3754 for G3588 G4383 his face G1473 G1510.7.3 was as G4198 going G1519 to G* Jerusalem.
They did not receive him, dechomai, they were not hospitable. Of course, they were upset. They knew that the Pharisees wanted to kill him, yet they couldn’t talk him out of it. Peter did not want Jesus to be crucified in Jerusalem either. They all thought it would be better to have Jesus with them. His face was going to Jerusalem, or in other words he was set to go to Jerusalem at passover. They didn’t accept that he was going to Jerusalem because they knew that he would be killed. Are we to think that they would have patted him on the back and told him that they couldn’t wait for his crucifixion? Certainly not.
Luke 9:54 G1492 And knowing, G1161 G3588 G3101 his disciples G1473 G* James G2532 and G* John G2036 said, G2962 O Lord, G2309 do you want G2036 we should tell G4442 fire G2597 to descend G575 from G3588 G3772 heaven G2532 and G355 consume G1473 them G5613 as G2532 also G* Elijah G4160 did?
“But knowing his disciples James and John said Yahweh desire to say fire/lightning come down from the heaven and destroy them like as even Elijah manufactured?”
What a great question. They are ready to torch anyone who stands in Jesus’ way. However, as we saw earlier, Elijah never called or said “fire come down from heaven”, he simply prayed for the hearts of the people to turn to Yahweh, or he said that if he was a man of God then fire would fall from heaven. He never called for it or commanded it specifically.
Luke 9:55 G4762 And turning, G1161 G2008 he gave reproach G1473 to them, G2532 and G2036 said, G3756 You do not know G1492 G3634 of what G4151 spirit G1510.2.5 you are. G1473
“But turned about, rebuked them, and said, not know what kind pneuma you are.”
Uh-oh. We see their boldness. These two men, who are called the “sons of thunder”, seem to want a lightning strike.
Luke 9:56 G3588 For the G1063 G5207 son G3588 G444 of man G3756 came not G2064 G5590 [2lives G444 3of men G622 1to destroy], G235 but G4982 to preserve. G2532 And G4198 they went G1519 unto G2087 another G2968 town.
“For Son of Manfaced not come destroy utterly soul life manfaced, contrariwise save/heal/rescue.”
James and John thought it seemed like a good idea to call down fire on the people who wanted to stop Jesus from going to Jerusalem, yet Jesus did not. Jesus said that they didn’t know what kind of spirit they were. Jesus came for deliverance and healing, and he could have had legions of angels rescue him from the cross. But if he had, then we would not be saved by grace. The disciples were not really inconvenienced by the Samaritans not wanting Jesus to go to Jerusalem. But it does make it clear that they, like Peter, were simply shortsighted.
We can also see that this (fire from heaven) is not a light matter. Incinerating people was not a primary focus of the prophets. However, to keep Elijah from being dealt with poorly by an evil king, or to prove the point that the prophets of Baal were phonies, fire fell. Elijah was a powerfully bold man. He did not waver. He was not shy. If we truly had prophets like Elijah on earth today then you would think that the world would take notice. The world would see that they have a choice between the fakes and the phonies versus the true Yahweh Elohim. Even at the time when Jesus went to Jerusalem for his crucifixion people remembered the power that Elijah had. Elijah was an admirable prophet, and it is no wonder that he was taken up so that he would come back during the first half of the tribulation. Imagine what amazing power he will yield then.
