2 Kings 1:1-8

Expanded Bible

Elijah and King Ahaziah

1 After Ahab died, Moab ·broke away from Israel’s rule [rebelled against Israel]. ² Ahaziah fell down through the ·wooden bars in [lattice of] his upstairs room in Samaria and was badly hurt. He sent messengers and told them, “Go, ask Baal-Zebub, god of Ekron, if I will recover from my ·injuries [illness].”

³ But the Lord’s ·angel [messenger] said to Elijah the Tishbite, “Go up and ·meet [confront; intercept] the messengers sent by the king of Samaria. Ask them, ‘Why are you going to ·ask questions of [consult with; inquire of] Baal-Zebub, god of Ekron? Is it because there is no God in Israel?’ ⁴ This is what the Lord says: ‘You will never get up from the bed you are lying on; you will surely die.’” Then Elijah ·left [set out; departed].

⁵ When the messengers returned to Ahaziah, he asked them, “Why have you returned [^Cso soon after being sent]?”

⁶ They said, “A man came to meet us. He said, ‘Go back to the king who sent you and tell him ·what the Lord says [^TThus says the Lord]: ‘Why are you going to ·ask questions of [consult with; inquire of] Baal-Zebub, god of Ekron? Is it because there is no God in Israel?’ You will never get up from the bed you are lying on; you will surely die.”’”

⁷ Ahaziah asked them, “What ·did the man look like who [kind of man] met you and told you this?”

⁸ They answered, “He ·was a hairy man [or wore a hairy cloak] and wore a leather belt around his waist.”

Ahaziah said, “It was Elijah the Tishbite.”