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href="/bsb/2_kings/1.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/2_kings/1.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />When the messengers returned to the king, he asked them, &#8220Why have you come back?&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/2_kings/1.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />When the messengers returned to the king, he asked them, “Why have you returned so soon?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/2_kings/1.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />The messengers returned to the king, and he said to them, “Why have you returned?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/2_kings/1.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />When the messengers returned to the king, he asked them, “Why have you returned?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/2_kings/1.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And when the messengers turned back unto him, he said unto them, Why are ye now turned back?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/2_kings/1.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And when the messengers returned to him, he said to them, “Why have you come back?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/2_kings/1.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />When the messengers returned to Ahaziah, he said to them, “Why have you returned?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/2_kings/1.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />When the messengers returned to him he said to them, &#8220Why have you returned?&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/2_kings/1.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />When the messengers returned to him he said to them, “Why have you returned?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/2_kings/1.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />So the messengers returned to him, and he said to them, “Why have you returned?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/2_kings/1.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />When the messengers returned to Ahaziah, he said to them, “Why have you returned [so soon]?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/2_kings/1.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The messengers returned to the king, who asked them, “Why have you come back? ”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/2_kings/1.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The messengers returned to the king, who asked them, &#8220Why have you come back?&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/2_kings/1.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And the messengers returned unto him, and he said unto them, Why is it that ye are returned?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/2_kings/1.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />When the messengers returned to Ahaziah, he asked, "Why are you back so soon?" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/2_kings/1.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And the messengers returned unto him, and he said unto them, Why is it that ye are returned?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/2_kings/1.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />When the messengers returned, the king asked them, "Why have you come back so soon?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/2_kings/1.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />and the messengers returned to the king. "Why have you come back?" he asked. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/2_kings/1.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />The messengers returned to the king and he asked them, "What's this? You've come back?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/2_kings/1.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />When the messengers returned to the king, he asked them, ?Why have you returned??<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/2_kings/1.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />When the messengers returned to the king, he asked them, "Why have you returned?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/2_kings/1.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />The messengers returned to him, and he said to them, "Why is it that you have returned?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/2_kings/1.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And when the messengers turned back to him, he said to them, Why have ye now returned?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/2_kings/1.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />The messengers returned to him, and he said to them, “Why is it that you have returned?” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/2_kings/1.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And the messengers return to him, and he says to them, “What [is] this—you have turned back!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/2_kings/1.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And the messengers turn back unto him, and he saith unto them, 'What is this -- ye have turned back!'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/2_kings/1.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And the messengers will turn back to him, and he will say to them, Why this ye turned back?<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/2_kings/1.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And the messengers turned back to Ochozias. And he said to them: Why are you come back? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/2_kings/1.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And the messengers returned to Ahaziah. And he said to them, “Why have you returned?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/2_kings/1.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />The messengers then returned to Ahaziah, who asked them, “Why have you returned?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/2_kings/1.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />The messengers returned to the king, who said to them, “Why have you returned?”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/2_kings/1.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And when the messengers returned to Ahaziah, he said to them, Why have you turned back?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/2_kings/1.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And the Messengers returned to Ekhazyah, and Ekhazyah said to them: “Why have you returned?”<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/2_kings/1.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And the messengers returned unto him, and he said unto them: 'Why is it that ye are returned?'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/2_kings/1.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And the messengers returned to him, and he said to them, Why have ye returned?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/2_kings/1-5.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FiLs3w_mMFQ?start=52" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/2_kings/1.htm">Elijah Denounces Ahaziah</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">4</span>Therefore this is what the LORD says: ‘You will not get up from the bed on which you are lying. You will surely die.’ ” So Elijah departed. <span class="reftext">5</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/4397.htm" title="4397: ham·mal·’ā·ḵîm (Art:: N-mp) -- A messenger. From an unused root meaning to despatch as a deputy; a messenger; specifically, of God, i.e. An angel.">When the messengers</a> <a href="/hebrew/7725.htm" title="7725: way·yā·šū·ḇū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- A primitive root; to turn back transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively; generally to retreat; often adverbial, again.">returned</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’ê·lāw (Prep:: 3ms) -- To, into, towards. ">to the king,</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mer (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">he asked them,</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’ă·lê·hem (Prep:: 3mp) -- To, into, towards. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/4100.htm" title="4100: mah- (Interrog) -- What? how? anything. ">“Why</a> <a href="/hebrew/2088.htm" title="2088: zeh (Pro-ms) -- This, here. A primitive word; the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that."></a> <a href="/hebrew/7725.htm" title="7725: šaḇ·tem (V-Qal-Perf-2mp) -- A primitive root; to turn back transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively; generally to retreat; often adverbial, again.">have you returned?”</a> </span><span class="reftext">6</span>They replied, “A man came up to meet us and said, ‘Go back to the king who sent you and tell him that this is what the LORD says: Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are sending these men to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron? Therefore you will not get up from the bed on which you are lying. You will surely die.’ ”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/18-7.htm">1 Kings 18:7-14</a></span><br />Now as Obadiah went on his way, Elijah suddenly met him. When Obadiah recognized him, he fell facedown and said, “Is it you, my lord Elijah?” / “It is I,” he answered. “Go tell your master, ‘Elijah is here!’” / But Obadiah replied, “How have I sinned, that you are handing your servant over to Ahab to put me to death? ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/1-16.htm">2 Kings 1:16</a></span><br />And Elijah said to King Ahaziah, “This is what the LORD says: Is there really no God in Israel for you to inquire of His word? Is that why you have sent messengers to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron? Therefore you will not get up from the bed on which you are lying. You will surely die.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/5-10.htm">2 Kings 5:10-14</a></span><br />Then Elisha sent him a messenger, who said, “Go and wash yourself seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will be restored, and you will be clean.” / But Naaman went away angry, saying, “I thought that he would surely come out, stand and call on the name of the LORD his God, and wave his hand over the spot to cure my leprosy. / Are not the Abanah and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not have washed in them and been cleansed?” So he turned and went away in a rage. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/17-18.htm">1 Kings 17:18-24</a></span><br />“O man of God,” said the woman to Elijah, “what have you done to me? Have you come to remind me of my iniquity and cause the death of my son?” / But Elijah said to her, “Give me your son.” So he took him from her arms, carried him to the upper room where he was staying, and laid him on his own bed. / Then he cried out to the LORD, “O LORD my God, have You also brought tragedy on this widow who has opened her home to me, by causing her son to die?” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/2-15.htm">2 Kings 2:15-18</a></span><br />When the sons of the prophets who were watching him from Jericho saw what had happened, they said, “The spirit of Elijah rests on Elisha.” And they went to meet him and bowed down to the ground before him. / “Look now,” they said to Elisha, “we your servants have fifty valiant men. Please let them go and search for your master. Perhaps the Spirit of the LORD has taken him up and put him on one of the mountains or in one of the valleys.” “Do not send them,” Elisha replied. / But when they pressed him to the point of embarrassment, he said, “Send them.” And they sent fifty men, who searched for three days but did not find Elijah. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/6-32.htm">2 Kings 6:32-33</a></span><br />Now Elisha was sitting in his house, and the elders were sitting with him. The king sent a messenger ahead, but before he arrived, Elisha said to the elders, “Do you see how this murderer has sent someone to cut off my head? Look, when the messenger comes, shut the door to keep him out. Is not the sound of his master’s footsteps behind him?” / While Elisha was still speaking with them, the messenger came down to him. And the king said, “This calamity is from the LORD. Why should I wait for the LORD any longer?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/7-1.htm">2 Kings 7:1-2</a></span><br />Then Elisha said, “Hear the word of the LORD! This is what the LORD says: ‘About this time tomorrow at the gate of Samaria, a seah of fine flour will sell for a shekel, and two seahs of barley will sell for a shekel.’” / But the officer on whose arm the king leaned answered the man of God, “Look, even if the LORD were to make windows in heaven, could this really happen?” “You will see it with your own eyes,” replied Elisha, “but you will not eat any of it.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/8-7.htm">2 Kings 8:7-15</a></span><br />Then Elisha came to Damascus while Ben-hadad king of Aram was sick, and the king was told, “The man of God has come here.” / So the king said to Hazael, “Take a gift in your hand, go to meet the man of God, and inquire of the LORD through him, ‘Will I recover from this illness?’” / So Hazael went to meet Elisha, taking with him a gift of forty camel loads of every good thing from Damascus. And he went in and stood before him and said, “Your son Ben-hadad king of Aram has sent me to ask, ‘Will I recover from this illness?’” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/9-1.htm">2 Kings 9:1-3</a></span><br />Now Elisha the prophet summoned one of the sons of the prophets and said to him, “Tuck your cloak under your belt, take this flask of oil, and go to Ramoth-gilead. / When you arrive, look for Jehu son of Jehoshaphat, the son of Nimshi. Go in, get him away from his companions, and take him to an inner room. / Then take the flask of oil, pour it on his head, and declare, ‘This is what the LORD says: I anoint you king over Israel.’ Then open the door and run. Do not delay!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/20-1.htm">2 Kings 20:1-11</a></span><br />In those days Hezekiah became mortally ill. The prophet Isaiah son of Amoz came to him and said, “This is what the LORD says: ‘Put your house in order, for you are about to die; you will not recover.’” / Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the LORD, saying, / “Please, O LORD, remember how I have walked before You faithfully and with wholehearted devotion; I have done what is good in Your sight.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/3-7.htm">Matthew 3:7-10</a></span><br />But when John saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his place of baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? / Produce fruit, then, in keeping with repentance. / And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/11-14.htm">Matthew 11:14</a></span><br />And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/6-14.htm">Mark 6:14-16</a></span><br />Now King Herod heard about this, for Jesus’ name had become well known, and people were saying, “John the Baptist has risen from the dead! That is why miraculous powers are at work in him.” / Others were saying, “He is Elijah,” and still others, “He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.” / But when Herod heard this, he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has risen from the dead!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/1-17.htm">Luke 1:17</a></span><br />And he will go on before the Lord in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/9-52.htm">Luke 9:52-56</a></span><br />He sent messengers on ahead, who went into a village of the Samaritans to make arrangements for Him. / But the people there refused to welcome Him, because He was heading for Jerusalem. / When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, “Lord, do You want us to call down fire from heaven to consume them?” ...</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And when the messengers turned back to him, he said to them, Why are you now turned back?</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/2_kings/1-3.htm">Messengers</a> <a href="/1_kings/22-43.htm">Turn</a> <a href="/1_kings/22-43.htm">Turned</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/2_kings/1-16.htm">Messengers</a> <a href="/2_kings/1-6.htm">Turn</a> <a href="/2_kings/2-24.htm">Turned</a><div class="vheading2">2 Kings 1</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_kings/1-1.htm">Moab rebels</a></span><br><span class="reftext">2. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_kings/1-2.htm">Ahaziah, sending to Baal-Zebub, has his judgement by Elijah</a></span><br><span class="reftext">5. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_kings/1-5.htm">Elijah twice brings fire from heaven on those Ahaziah sent to apprehend him.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_kings/1-13.htm">He pities the third captain, </a></span><br><span class="reftext">15. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_kings/1-15.htm">and, encouraged by an angel, tells the king of his death</a></span><br><span class="reftext">17. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_kings/1-17.htm">Jehoram succeeds Ahaziah</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/2_kings/1.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/2_kings/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/2_kings/1.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>When the messengers returned to the king</b><br>The messengers were originally sent by King Ahaziah to inquire of Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron, regarding his recovery from an injury. This reflects the syncretism and idolatry prevalent in Israel at the time, as Ahaziah sought guidance from a pagan deity rather than the God of Israel. The return of the messengers without completing their mission indicates a divine intervention, as they encountered Elijah, who delivered a message from God. This highlights the ongoing conflict between the worship of Yahweh and the idolatrous practices introduced by Ahaziah's parents, Ahab and Jezebel.<p><b>he asked them, “Why have you returned?”</b><br>Ahaziah's question reveals his surprise and perhaps suspicion, as the messengers returned much sooner than expected. This suggests that the journey to Ekron was interrupted, which would have been unusual without a significant reason. The king's inquiry sets the stage for the revelation of Elijah's prophetic message. This moment underscores the authority of God's word through His prophet, as the messengers' premature return is a direct result of Elijah's encounter with them. The king's reliance on foreign gods contrasts with the power and immediacy of God's communication through Elijah, emphasizing the futility of seeking guidance outside of God's will.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/a/ahaziah.htm">Ahaziah</a></b><br>The king of Israel who fell through the lattice of his upper room and was injured. He sent messengers to inquire of Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron, about his recovery.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/m/messengers.htm">Messengers</a></b><br>Sent by King Ahaziah to consult Baal-Zebub, they encounter Elijah and return to the king with a message from the prophet.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/e/elijah.htm">Elijah</a></b><br>The prophet of God who intercepts the messengers and delivers a message from the LORD, questioning Ahaziah's reliance on a foreign god.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/b/baal-zebub.htm">Baal-Zebub</a></b><br>The god of Ekron, a Philistine city. Ahaziah's inquiry of this deity reflects his lack of faith in the God of Israel.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/e/ekron.htm">Ekron</a></b><br>A Philistine city where Baal-Zebub was worshipped, representing the idolatrous practices that Israel was warned against.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/r/reliance_on_god_alone.htm">Reliance on God Alone</a></b><br>Ahaziah's decision to consult Baal-Zebub instead of God serves as a warning against idolatry and misplaced trust. Believers are called to rely solely on God for guidance and wisdom.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_prophets.htm">The Role of Prophets</a></b><br>Elijah's intervention underscores the importance of listening to God's messengers. In today's context, this can be seen as valuing the teachings of Scripture and those who faithfully communicate God's Word.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/consequences_of_disobedience.htm">Consequences of Disobedience</a></b><br>Ahaziah's actions remind us that turning away from God leads to negative consequences. Obedience to God brings blessings, while disobedience leads to judgment.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty.htm">God's Sovereignty</a></b><br>The encounter between Elijah and the messengers highlights God's control over all situations. Believers can trust in God's sovereignty and His plans for their lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/seeking_godly_counsel.htm">Seeking Godly Counsel</a></b><br>The passage encourages believers to seek counsel from God and His Word rather than turning to worldly or ungodly sources for direction.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_2_kings_1.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 2 Kings 1</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/was_john_the_baptist_elijah.htm">Was John the Baptist Elijah who was to come? Yes (Matthew II: 14, 17:10-13) No (John 1:19-21)</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/where's_proof_exiles_thrived_and_returned.htm">Jeremiah 24:5 - If God favored those taken into exile, where is the clear evidence that they flourished in Babylon and returned as promised?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/resolve_ezra_5_17_vs._persian_timeline.htm">(Ezra 5:17) How do we resolve apparent inconsistencies between this passage's account of Persian rule and known Persian chronology?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/could_they_get_cedar_from_lebanon.htm">(Ezra 3:7) Could a newly returned, resource-strapped community realistically acquire and transport large quantities of cedar from Lebanon?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/2_kings/1.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(5) <span class= "bld">Turned back unto him.</span>--Unto Ahaziah, as the Syriac and Vulgate actually read. Literally, <span class= "ital">And the messengers returned unto him, and he said, &c.</span> Though Elijah was unknown to the envoys, such a menacing interposition would certainly be regarded as' a Divine warning, which it was perilous to disregard.<p><span class= "bld">Why are ye now turned back?</span>--<span class= "ital">Why have ye returned?</span> with emphasis on the "Why."<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/2_kings/1.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 5.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And when the messengers turned back</span>; rather, <span class="accented">when the messengers returned</span>; <span class="accented">i.e.</span> when they reached the presence of Ahaziah, he perceived at once that they could not have been to Ekron and come back in the time. He therefore inquired of them, <span class="cmt_word">Why are ye now turned back?</span> "Why have ye not completed your journey?" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/2_kings/1-5.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">When the messengers</span><br /><span class="heb">הַמַּלְאָכִ֖ים</span> <span class="translit">(ham·mal·’ā·ḵîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4397.htm">Strong's 4397: </a> </span><span class="str2">A messenger, of God, an angel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">returned</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיָּשׁ֥וּבוּ</span> <span class="translit">(way·yā·šū·ḇū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7725.htm">Strong's 7725: </a> </span><span class="str2">To turn back, in, to retreat, again</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to the king,</span><br /><span class="heb">אֵלָ֑יו</span> <span class="translit">(’ê·lāw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> </span><span class="str2">Near, with, among, to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">he asked them,</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֹּ֥אמֶר</span> <span class="translit">(way·yō·mer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“Why</span><br /><span class="heb">מַה־</span> <span class="translit">(mah-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interrogative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4100.htm">Strong's 4100: </a> </span><span class="str2">What?, what!, indefinitely what</span><br /><br /><span class="word">have you returned?”</span><br /><span class="heb">שַׁבְתֶּֽם׃</span> <span class="translit">(šaḇ·tem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7725.htm">Strong's 7725: </a> </span><span class="str2">To turn back, in, to retreat, again</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/2_kings/1-5.htm">2 Kings 1:5 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/2_kings/1-5.htm">2 Kings 1:5 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/2_kings/1-5.htm">2 Kings 1:5 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/2_kings/1-5.htm">2 Kings 1:5 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/2_kings/1-5.htm">2 Kings 1:5 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/2_kings/1-5.htm">2 Kings 1:5 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/2_kings/1-5.htm">2 Kings 1:5 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/2_kings/1-5.htm">2 Kings 1:5 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/2_kings/1-5.htm">2 Kings 1:5 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/2_kings/1-5.htm">2 Kings 1:5 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/2_kings/1-5.htm">OT History: 2 Kings 1:5 The messengers returned to him and he (2Ki iiKi ii ki 2 kg 2kg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/2_kings/1-4.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="2 Kings 1:4"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="2 Kings 1:4" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/2_kings/1-6.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="2 Kings 1:6"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="2 Kings 1:6" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>