Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 Kings 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 Baal-zebub the god of Ekron whether I shall recover of this disease.
2. And Ahaziah fell down through a [R.V. the ] lattice ] From the use of the word rendered ‘lattice’ elsewhere (cf. Job 18:8), it must mean some kind of net or trellis-work put in front of an open space, a window or a balcony. As it is said the king fell through it, we may most probably conclude that an Oriental window space with its trellis-work is intended. The description of it as ‘in his upper chamber’ shews that it cannot have been a palisade round the flat roof of the house, as some have thought, which broke away as he was leaning on it, and let him fall down. Josephus ( Ant. IX. 2. 1) represents the king as having fallen as he was coming down from the housetop.
and was sick ] The verb is employed, as here, of sickness caused by wounds, and also of ordinary disease (cf. 2Ki 13:14) as in the case of Elisha. It is also used metaphorically (cf. Son 2:5; Son 5:8).
inquire of Baal-zebub the god of Ekron ] The son of Jezebel follows his mother’s example in his adherence to false gods. It was probably because Ekron was the nearest shrine of such a divinity that Ahaziah was sending thither. Ekron was the most northern of the five great Philistine cities, and so most easily within reach from Samaria. It is not possible to say, from the form of the two Hebrew words which make up the name Baal-zebub, whether they are in construction or in apposition. The latter word signifies ‘a fly’, and the LXX. taking them as in apposition rendered ‘Baal, the fly’, as though the image of the god had been in that form, just as Dagon’s image, in the neighbouring Ashdod, was in part at least like a fish. But it seems more natural to regard the words as in construction, so that ‘the Baal (or lord) of flies’ would be an epithet implying that the god was supposed to be an averter of flies, these insects being, especially in hot countries, a very serious pest. Such among the Greeks was (Paus. v. 14. 2), and among the Romans a deity supposed to possess this fly-dispelling power was named ‘Myiagrus’ and ‘Myiodes’ = the fly catcher. (Plin. x. 28. 40; xxix. 6. 34.)
whether I shall recover of this disease ] R.V. sickness. The noun is from the same root as the verb rendered ‘was sick’, just before. There must have been some oracle at Ekron, for it was an answer that Ahaziah sought. He did not send his messengers to make supplication for his recovery. The LXX. adds at the close of this verse ‘and they went to inquire concerning him’.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
A lattice – The upper chamber had probably a single latticed window, through which Ahaziah fell. Windows in the East are to this day generally closed by lattices of interlaced wood, which open outward; so that, if the fastening is not properly secured, one who leans against them may easily fall out.
Baal-zebub – literally, Lord (i. e., averter) of flies. Flies in the East constitute one of the most terrible of plages Psa 105:31; Exo 8:24; and Orientals would be as likely to have a god of flies as a god of storm fand thunder. To inquire 2Ki 1:3 of Baal-zebub was practically to deny Yahweh. Ahaziah cast aside the last remnant of respect for the old religion, and consulted a foreign oracle, as if the voice of God were wholly silent in his own country.
For Ekron see the marginal reference.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 2. Fell down through a lattice] Perhaps either through the flat root of his house, or over or through the balustrades with which the roof was surrounded.
Go, inquire of Baal-zebub] Literally, the fly-god, or master of flies. The Septuagint has , Baal the fly. He was the tutelary god of Ekron, and probably was used at first as a kind of telesm, to drive away flies. He became afterwards a very respectable devil, and was supposed to have great power and influence. In the New Testament Beelzebub is a common name for Satan himself, or the prince of devils. See Clarke on Mt 10:25.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
In his upper chamber; in which the lattice might be left to convey light into the lower room; which if it now seem to be absurd in a kings palace, we must not think it was so then, when the world was not arrived to that height of curiosity and art in which now it is. But the words may be, and are by some, rendered, through the battlements (or through the lattice in the battlements) of the roof of the house; where being first walking, after the manner, and then standing and looking through, and leaning upon this lattice, which was grown infirm, it broke, and he fell into the court or garden belonging to the house.
Baal-zebub; properly, the god of flies; an idol so called, because it was falsely supposed to deliver those people from flies, which were both vexatious and hurtful to them; as Jupiter and Hercules were called by a like name among the Grecians for thee same reason. And it is evident, both from sacred and profane histories, that the idol gods, being consulted by the heathens, did sometimes through Gods permission and just judgment give them answers, though they were generally observed, even by the heathens themselves to be dark and doubtful.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
2-8. Ahaziah fell down through alattice in his upper chamberThis lattice was either a partof the wooden parapet, or fence, which surrounds the flat roofs ofhouses, and over which the king was carelessly leaning when it gaveway; or it might be an opening like a skylight in the roof itself,done over with lattice-work, which, being slender or rotten, the kingstepped on and slipped through. This latter supposition is mostprobably the true one, as Ahaziah did not fall either into the streetor the court, but “in his upper chamber.”
inquire of BaalzebubAnxiousto learn whether he should recover from the effects of this severefall, he sent to consult Baalzebub, that is, the god of flies, whowas considered the patron deity of medicine. A temple to that idolwas erected at Ekron, which was resorted to far and wide, though itafterwards led to the destruction of the place (Zec 9:5;Amo 1:8; Zep 2:4).”After visiting Ekron, ‘the god of flies’ is a name that givesme no surprise. The flies there swarmed, in fact so innumerably, thatI could hardly get any food without these troublesome insects gettinginto it” [VAN DEVELDE].
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And Ahaziah fell down a lattice in his upper chamber that was in Samaria,…. Which was either a window or lattice in the form of network, to let in light; or rather were the rails of a balcony or battlement on the roof of his palace, in this form, on which leaning, it broke down, and he fell into the garden or court yard; or walking on the roof of his house, and treading unawares on a sky light, which let in light into a room underneath, he fell through it into it:
and was sick; the fall perhaps threw him into a fever, and which seemed threatening, being violent:
and he sent messengers, and said unto them, go inquire of Baalzebub, the god of Ekron, whether I shall recover of this disease; not to heal him of it, but to know the issue of it; a vain curiosity this! Ekron was one of the principalities of the Philistines, and this idol was the god they worshipped, which signifies a master fly: which some think was a large metallic fly; made under a planet that rules over flies; and the Heathens had deities they called Myiodes, Myagros, and , which signifies a driver away of flies; as Jupiter and Hercules were called by the Eleans and Romans, and worshipped and sacrificed to by them on that account a; and so the Cyreneans, a people of Lybia, worshipped the god Achor, which seems to be a corruption of the word Ekron, because he freed them from flies, after they had been infested with a pestilence through them b; and Ekron being a place near the sea, and both hot and moist, might be much infested with those creatures. Within the haven of Ptolemais, or Acco, was formerly a temple of Baalzebub, called in later times “the tower of flies”, and used as a Pharus c.
a Pausan. Eliac. 1. sive, l. 5. p. 313. & Arcadica, sive, l. 8. p. 491. Clement. Alex. Admon. ad Gentes, p. 24. b Plin. Nat. Hist. l. 10. c. 27. Vid. Chartarii Imagines Deorum, p. 151. & Alex. ab Alex. Genial. Dier. l. 6. c. 26. c Adrichom. Theatrum Ter. Sanct. fol. 6. 1.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(2) Through a lattice.Rather, the lattice, i.e., the latticed window of the chamber on the palace roof, looking into the court below. The word rendered through (bad) implies that Ahaziah was leaning out over the window-sill. (Comp. 2Ki. 9:30; Psa. 14:2.) He perhaps fell into a gallery underneath, as the palace would be several storeys high, and he was not killed by his fall. The word sbkhh means net in Job. 18:8, and decorative network in metal in 1Ki. 7:18; 2Ch. 4:12. The Rabbis explain it here as a sort of skylight to the chamber beneath the upper chamber, or a spiral stairway; both improbable.
He sent messengers.By Jezebes advice. (S Ephrem.)
Baal-zebub.Here only in the Old Testament. Lord of Flies is generally compared with the Greek , or , the fly-averting Zeus of the Eleans (Paus., viii. 26, 4), and it is no doubt true that flies are an extraordinary pest in the East. But when we remember that myiomancy, or divination by watching the movements of flies, is an ancient Babylonian practice, we can hardly doubt that this is the true significance of the title Baal-zebub. In the Assyrian deluge tablet the gods are said to have gathered over Izdubars sacrifice like flies (kma zumbie). The later Jewish spelling () probably contains an allusive reference to the Talmudic woras zbel (dung), zibbl (dunging).
Ekron.Akir (Jos. 13:3). Of the five Philistine cities it lay farthest north, and so nearest to Samaria.
Recover.Literally, live from, or after.
Disease.Sickness, viz., that occasioned by his fall. The LXX. adds, and they went to inquire of him.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
2. A lattice in his upper chamber That is, the latticed window of an upper room. Compare Son 2:9. The windows of ancient Eastern houses had no glass. “They were only latticed, and thus gave free passage to the air and admitted light, while birds and bats were excluded. In winter the cold air was kept out by vails over the windows, or by shutters, with openings in them sufficient to admit light.” Kitto.
And was sick The consequence of his fall is thus told, but the particulars of his fall are not stated, and conjecture is here useless.
Baal-zebub the god of Ekron The Fly-god was worshipped by the Philistines at Ekron, and the plague of flies in hot climates serves to account for the worship of a deity of this name. The word Baal in the composition of this idol’s name, taken in connexion with the fact that the king of Israel, who had adopted the Baal worship of Tyre, sends to Ekron to inquire, shows that there was a close relationship between the idolatry of Phenicia and Philistia; and on a silver coin of the Phenician town Aradus (Eze 27:8, Arvad) is engraved the figure of a fly a device having, probably, some reference to this same idol Baal-zebub. 1Sa 6:5, shows how the Philistines of Ekron hastened, in time of suffering, to make images of the things that plagued them. On Ekron, see at 1 Samuel 5:20. It was the chief seat of the worship of this god. The probable reason of Ahaziah’s sending to inquire of the god of Ekron was because of some special fame of this oracle.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Ahaziah’s Accident And His Intention Of Consulting The Occult Instead Of YHWH Which Is Thwarted By Elijah ( 2Ki 1:2-8 ).
2Ki 1:2
‘ And Ahaziah fell down through the lattice in his upper chamber which was in Samaria, and was ill. And he sent messengers, and said to them, “Go, enquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron, whether I will recover of this illness.’
But Ahaziah had an unfortunate accident. He lived in a two-storeyed palace in Samaria and he fell from the upper window or balcony, through the lattice screen which protected it from sightseers, to the earth beneath. Carried to his bed he sent messengers to Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron, in order to discover whether he would recover, and no doubt hoping for the god to show leniency. It is probable that this god had a reputation for healing. Being an idolater and polytheist Ahaziah believed in many gods, including the family of Baal gods of which there were many. In this, of course, he was bringing discredit on YHWH, and treating Him as of no account.
Baal-zebub means ‘lord of the flies’. Some see it as a deliberate and contemptuous corruption of Baal-zebul, ‘the lord prince’. But there is no reason why there should not have been a god of ‘creeping things’ (compare Eze 8:10), and he is mentioned by the Pharisees when speaking to Jesus in the New Testament as related to Satan (Mar 3:22).
2Ki 1:3
‘But the angel of YHWH said to Elijah the Tishbite, “Arise, go up to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria, and say to them, “Is it because there is no God in Israel, that you go to enquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron?” ’
The consequence was that the Angel of YHWH went to Elijah the Tishbite and told him to go and meet the messengers of Ahaziah in order to ask the king of Israel through them whether he was implying by his action that there was no living God in Israel Who could be enquired of, and called on. This was a crisis moment for Israel. The question was whether YHWH was no longer to be seen as relevant. The intervention of Elijah and the demonstration miracles that follow were necessary to bring Yahwism back from being side-lined and seen as irrelevant in court circles.
The Angel of YHWH was one of the forms through Which YHWH revealed Himself. We do not know why He is mentioned in this particular case, as usually Elijah appears to have received his prophetic information ‘direct’. It is probably because He was to be the arbiter of judgment, acting powerfully to demonstrate the holiness of YHWH (2Ki 1:9-15; compare 2Sa 24:16-17). This incident is a warning to us all that we should not seek to the occult for guidance or healing, only to God.
“Is it because there is no God in Israel, that you go to enquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron?” The importance of this charge comes out in that it is repeated three times (see 2Ki 1:6; 2Ki 1:16). This was the question at issue, and it was a vital one.
2Ki 2:1-4 a
“Now therefore thus says YHWH, ‘You shall not come down from the bed to which you have gone up, but will surely die.’ ”
Elijah’s message from YHWH to Azariah was that because he had consulted Baal-zebub instead of YHWH he would never leave his bed, but would certainly die. The impression given is that had he sought YHWH he would have lived.
2Ki 2:1-4 b
‘And Elijah departed.’
As with his entrances, so with his exits, Elijah was dramatic. Having spoken to the men he ‘departed’. We might translate ‘strode off’.
2Ki 2:5
‘ And the messengers returned to him, and he said to them, “Why is it that you have returned?” ’
The messengers obediently returned to the king without going to Ekron, something which Ahaziah clearly gathered from the short length of time that they had been away. So he asked them why they had come back without fulfilling their mission.
2Ki 1:6
‘ And they said to him, “There came up a man to meet us, and said to us, Go, turn again to the king who sent you, and say to him, Thus says YHWH, Is it because there is no God in Israel, that you send to enquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron? Therefore you will not come down from the bed to which you have gone up, but will surely die.” ’
They explained to him about this man who with prophetic authority had told them to inform the king that he would certainly die because he had looked to the occult for advice and healing rather than to God.
2Ki 1:7
‘ And he said to them, “What manner of man was he who came up to meet you, and told you these words?” ’
The king, probably already aware of the truth in his heart, then asked them what kind of man it had been who had come to meet them and had said this to them.
2Ki 1:8
‘ And they answered him, “He was a hairy man, and girt with a girdle of leather about his loins.” And he said, “It is Elijah the Tishbite.” ’
Sure enough their words confirmed his worst fears. A man wearing goatskin, with a leather belt around him. He well knew who that was. “It is Elijah the Tishbite.” This easy identification of him by his clothing is against the idea that all prophets wore such clothing, although see Zec 13:4.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
2Ki 1:2. Ahaziah fell down through a lattice in his upper chamber Through the lattice into his upper chamber, Houbigant; who thinks that as he was walking on the top of the house the wooden lattice gave way, and he fell through. See Calmet’s Dissertation upon the buildings of the ancient Hebrews.
Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron Baal-zebub is generally interpreted the god of flies; but why he was so called, there is no substantial reason given. Mr. Roque, in his 10th Dissertation, has treated at large upon this subject, and to him we refer. Mr. Jurieu is of opinion, that the Baal-zebub of Scripture was the same with the Pluto of the ancients. As zab signifies to flow, Parkhurst says, that zebub, signifies the flower, the Baal, lord or power (generally supposed to be the sun) which, always flowing forth himself, is the first mover and causer of all fluidity. See his Lexicon. It is plain enough from all antiquity, but from the hymns of Orpheus especially, that the ancient idolaters deified and worshipped nature in all her constituent and operating parts. Ekron was a city and government of the Philistines, which fell by lot to the tribe of Judah, Jos 15:45 but was afterwards given to the tribe of Dan, though it does not appear that the Jews ever had a quiet and peaceable possession of it.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Reader! to what a wretched state was Israel reduced, in consequence of their idolatry! It is almost incredible to conceive how the mind of any man could ever be so degenerate as to fancy a dumb idol could speak. The name of this dunghill god is remarkable. The devil himself is called Beel-zebub. And this god of Ekron is Baal-zebub. Baal is the well known name of lord: and Zebub signifies a fly. But wherefore Ekron’s image was so named, it is difficult to form an opinion. Are not the doctrines of charms, and omens, and what is called fortune telling, and the like superstitions, similar to the consulting this dunghill idol? I wish many who call themselves Christians, would learn the wickedness, as well as folly of such conduct. How lovely the prophet Elijah appears in his open reproof. Oh! for faithfulness in all the servants o f Jesus!
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
2Ki 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, enquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekron whether I shall recover of this disease.
Ver. 2. And Ahaziah fell down through a lattice. ] So the Suffragan of Dover broke his neck, falling down a pair of stairs in Cardinal Peele’s lodgings at Greenwich, presently after he had received the cardinal’s blessing. a The fall of Blackfriars slew about a hundred massmongers, bruised and lamed many more. By such mischances, besides diseases, men may be taken as a bird with a bolt, while he gazeth at the bow; which made Augustine say, that he would not for the gain of a million of worlds be an atheist for one half-hour, lest in that time death should seize him.
And was sick.
Inquire of Baalzebub.
“ Flectere si nequeo superos, Acheronta movebo. ” – Virg.
Whether I shall recover. ] Answers to such questions these idolaters had sometimes from Aesculapius and other like devils, that they might be further deceived, as Martyr observeth.
a Act. and Mon., 1902.
b Pausan., lib. v. Plin., lib. xxix. cap. 6.
c Aug., De Civ. Dei.
lattice = network or balustrade, which protected the open window of the upper chamber. Compare Jdg 3:20; Jdg 5:28. 1Ki 17:19. 1Ki 4:10.
Baal-zebub = Lord of flies. Later Jews polluted it by changing it to Beelzebul (Lord of dung or dunghills), In Mat 12:24 it is in Greek Baal-zebul = lord of abominable idols; the prince of idols and idolatry; the worst and chief of all wickedness. Imagine the blasphemy.
Ekron. One of the five Philistine cities. Jos 13:3.
a lattice: The flat roofs of the eastern houses are generally surrounded by a parapet wall breast high; but instead of this, some terraces are guarded with balustrades only, or latticed work. Of the same kind, probably, was the lattice, or net, as the term shevacha seems to import, through which Ahaziah fell into the court. This incident proves the necessity of the law for the formation of battlements for roof (Deu 22:8), which God graciously dictated from Sinai, which furnishes a beautiful example of his paternal care and goodness; for the terrace was a place where many offices of the family were performed, and business frequently transacted. Jdg 5:28, Son 2:9, Act 20:9
was sick: 1Ki 22:34, *marg. 2Ch 21:14, 2Ch 21:15, Job 31:3
Baalzebub: 2Ki 1:3, 2Ki 1:6, 2Ki 1:16, Mat 10:25, Mat 12:24-27, Mar 3:22, Luk 11:15, Beelzebub
god: Jdg 11:24, 1Sa 5:10, 1Ki 11:33, Isa 37:12, Isa 37:19
whether: 2Ki 8:7-10, 1Ki 14:3
Reciprocal: Jos 15:11 – Ekron Jdg 9:46 – an hold Jdg 10:6 – the gods of the Philistines 1Sa 6:17 – Ekron 1Sa 28:7 – Seek me 1Ki 22:40 – Ahaziah 1Ki 22:52 – he did evil 1Ki 22:53 – he served Baal 2Ki 8:8 – inquire 2Ch 20:35 – who did very Ecc 5:17 – much Hos 2:13 – the days
2Ki 1:2. Ahaziah fell through a lattice in his upper chamber Houbigant renders it, Through the lattice into his upper chamber. He thinks that as Ahaziah was walking upon the top of the house, the wooden lattice gave way, and he fell through. Go and inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron The word Baal-zebub, properly means the god of flies. This idol was so called, because it was supposed to deliver the Ekronites from flies, with which they were much pestered, being situated on a moist and hot soil, near the sea. Jupiter and Hercules were called by a like name among the Greeks; and it is evident, both from sacred and profane histories, that the idol-gods, or, rather, Satan by them, did sometimes give answers, through Gods permission, though these answers were generally observed, even by the heathen themselves, to be dark and doubtful.
1:2 And {a} 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, enquire of {b} Baalzebub the god of Ekron whether I shall recover of this disease.
(a) So that he was punished for his idolatry in two ways: for the Moabites which were wont to pay him tribute rebelled and he fell out a window which was high in his house to give light beneath.
(b) The Philistines who lived at Ekron worshipped this idol, the god of flies, thinking that he could preserve them from the biting of flies: or else he was so called, because flies were drawn in great abundance by the blood of the sacrifices that were offered to that idol.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes