Year 7, Day 364: 2 Kings 1

Theological Commentary: Click Here

In this chapter we get a small perspective of Ahaziah, the son of Ahab.  We don’t hear much about this king other than the story of his death.  That in itself is telling.  Ahaziah was among the evilest of the kings, but he certainly wasn’t among the good ones, either.

Ahaziah falls through a lattice in his garden and injures himself badly enough that he is going to die.  When he does, he sends word to inquire of the prophets of one of the false gods that Israel has chosen to worship.  This offends god, who sends Elijah to him to tell him that he will not recover.

First of all, learn this lesson.  When we are God’s people, He notices when we worship other things.  Even when we have knowledge of God and don’t claim to worship Him, He takes notice.  Ahaziah never claimed to follow God, yet God is still offended when Ahaziah seeks the prophets of his god.  God expects us to follow Him and see that His ways are better than our ways and is offended when we don’t.

Second, we get a bit of a perspective on Ahaziah’s character.  Unlike his father, Ahab, who repented when he was told he was going to die, Ahaziah does no such thing.  Ahaziah receives the message from God and the next thing we know is that he dies.  He may not have been among the evilest of kings, but he certainly has no respect for God, His ways, and His wisdom.

Then we have the story of the captain of the guard.  Two captains mimic Ahaziah’s lack of faith and make demands of Elijah.  Those captains die – their men with them.  Leaders need to be careful how their decisions affect those under them!  Unlike the first two, the third captain comes humbly and asks for mercy.  We aren’t told that this captain was a God-fearer, but at the very least he has respect for God and His power.  His life is spared and God takes notice.  It is amazing what a little humbleness can get a person.

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