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Book of 2 Kings - Chapter 1 - Verse 2

1:2
And Ahaziah fell down through a lattice in his upper chamber that was in Samaria, and was sick: and he sent messengers, and said unto them, Go, inquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekron whether I shall recover of this disease.

Meaning

After falling through a lattice in his upper chamber in Samaria, Ahaziah, the king of Israel, became sick and sent messengers to inquire of Baalzebub, the god of Ekron, whether he would recover from his illness. This verse from the Bible illustrates Ahaziah's desperation to seek guidance from a pagan deity in a time of need. By turning to Baalzebub, Ahaziah reveals his lack of trust in the one true God of Israel, Yahweh. This act goes against the commandments of the Lord, who had explicitly warned the Israelites against worshiping false gods and seeking help from pagan entities. Ahaziah's decision to consult Baalzebub ultimately serves as a testament to the consequences of straying from faith and relying on idols for answers.

Theological Overview

The verse describes Ahaziah, king of Israel, falling through a lattice in his upper chamber and becoming sick. Upon falling ill, he sends messengers to inquire of Baalzebub, the god of Ekron, if he will recover from his disease. The theological interpretation of this verse reveals Ahaziah's lack of faith in the God of Israel. Instead of seeking guidance and healing from the Lord, he turns to a false deity associated with the Philistines. This act of seeking counsel from Baalzebub shows Ahaziah's disobedience and disregard for the true God. The word "Baalzebub" translates to "Lord of the flies" in Hebrew, portraying the deity as a false and insignificant god. The use of this term in the verse further emphasizes the futility and emptiness of seeking help from idols rather than relying on the one true God for healing and guidance. This story serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of turning away from God and placing trust in false gods.

American Standard Version

And Ahaziah fell down through the lattice in his upper chamber that was in Samaria, and was sick: and he sent messengers, and said unto them, Go, inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron, whether I shall recover of this sickness.
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