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Book of 2 Kings - Chapter 1 - Verse 3

1:3
But the angel of the LORD said to Elijah the Tishbite, Arise, go up to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria, and say unto them, Is it not because there is not a God in Israel, that ye go to inquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekron?

Meaning

The verse you are referencing is from 2 Kings 1:3 in the Bible. In this verse, the angel of the LORD instructs Elijah the Tishbite to confront the messengers of the king of Samaria. The messengers were on their way to inquire of Baalzebub, the god of Ekron. The message given to Elijah to deliver to the messengers questions their motives for seeking guidance from a false god like Baalzebub when they could have sought the true God of Israel instead. The verse highlights the importance of having faith in the one true God and not turning to idols or false gods for answers. It serves as a reminder of the consequences of forsaking God and seeking guidance from sources that do not align with His will. Elijah's obedience in delivering this message ultimately leads to a demonstration of God's power and authority over all other gods, reaffirming the significance of being faithful and trusting in Him alone.

Theological Overview

One theological interpretation of this verse is the contrast between the belief in the one true God of Israel and the worship of Baalzebub, the god of Ekron. The angel of the LORD instructs Elijah to question the messengers of the king of Samaria about why they would seek guidance from a false deity when they have the living God of Israel to turn to. This highlights the theme of idolatry and the consequences of turning away from the true God. The use of Baalzebub, a pagan god, serves as a representation of the temptation to rely on other sources for wisdom and guidance instead of trusting in God. This passage emphasizes the importance of faithfulness to God and rejecting false idols. Through this interaction, the power and sovereignty of the God of Israel are reaffirmed, reminding believers of the significance of remaining devoted to Him.

American Standard Version

But the angel of Jehovah said to Elijah the Tishbite, Arise, go up to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria, and say unto them, Is it because there is no God in Israel, that ye go to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron?
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