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So the captain went up to Elijah, who was sitting on top of a hill, and said to him, "Man of God, the king declares, 'Come down!'"</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/2_kings/1-9.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/3/12_2Ki_01_09.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="2 Kings 1:9 - Elijah Denounces Ahaziah" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Then King Ahaziah sent to Elijah a captain with his company of fifty men. 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The captain went up to Elijah, who was sitting on the top of a hill, and said to him, &#8220Man of God, the king says, &#8216Come down!&#8217&#8221 <a href="/nlt/2_kings/1.htm">New Living Translation</a> Then he sent an army captain with fifty soldiers to arrest him. They found him sitting on top of a hill. The captain said to him, “Man of God, the king has commanded you to come down with us.” <a href="/esv/2_kings/1.htm">English Standard Version</a> Then the king sent to him a captain of fifty men with his fifty. He went up to Elijah, who was sitting on the top of a hill, and said to him, “O man of God, the king says, ‘Come down.’” <a href="/bsb/2_kings/1.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Then King Ahaziah sent to Elijah a captain with his company of fifty men. So the captain went up to Elijah, who was sitting on top of a hill, and said to him, “Man of God, the king declares, ‘Come down!’” <a href="/kjv/2_kings/1.htm">King James Bible</a> Then the king sent unto him a captain of fifty with his fifty. And he went up to him: and, behold, he sat on the top of an hill. And he spake unto him, Thou man of God, the king hath said, Come down. <a href="/nkjv/2_kings/1.htm">New King James Version</a> Then the king sent to him a captain of fifty with his fifty men. So he went up to him; and there he was, sitting on the top of a hill. And he spoke to him: “Man of God, the king has said, ‘Come down!’ ” <a href="/nasb_/2_kings/1.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Then the king sent to him a captain of fifty with his fifty men. And he went up to him, and behold, he was sitting on the top of the hill. And he said to him, “You man of God, the king says, ‘Come down.’” <a href="/nasb/2_kings/1.htm">NASB 1995</a> Then the king sent to him a captain of fifty with his fifty. And he went up to him, and behold, he was sitting on the top of the hill. And he said to him, &#8220O man of God, the king says, &#8216Come down.&#8217&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/2_kings/1.htm">NASB 1977 </a> Then the king sent to him a captain of fifty with his fifty. And he went up to him, and behold, he was sitting on the top of the hill. And he said to him, “O man of God, the king says, ‘Come down.’” <a href="/lsb/2_kings/1.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Then the king sent to him a commander of fifty with his fifty. And he went up to him, and behold, he was sitting on the top of the hill. And he said to him, “O man of God, the king says, ‘Come down.’” <a href="/amp/2_kings/1.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Then the king sent to Elijah a captain of fifty with his fifty [fighting men to seize the prophet]. And he went up to him, and behold, he was sitting on the top of a hill. And the captain said to him, “Man of God, the king says, ‘Come down.’” <a href="/csb/2_kings/1.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> So King Ahaziah sent a captain with his fifty men to Elijah. When the captain went up to him, he was sitting on top of the hill. He announced, “Man of God, the king declares, ‘Come down! ’ ” <a href="/hcsb/2_kings/1.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> So King Ahaziah sent a captain of 50 with his 50 men to Elijah. When the captain went up to him, he was sitting on top of the hill. He announced, &#8220Man of God, the king declares, &#8216Come down!&#8217&#8221 <a href="/asv/2_kings/1.htm">American Standard Version</a> Then the king sent unto him a captain of fifty with his fifty. And he went up to him: and, behold, he was sitting on the top of the hill. And he spake unto him, O man of God, the king hath said, Come down. <a href="/cev/2_kings/1.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> So at once he sent an army officer and 50 soldiers to meet Elijah. Elijah was sitting on top of a hill at the time. The officer went up to him and said, "Man of God, the king orders you to come down and talk with him." <a href="/erv/2_kings/1.htm">English Revised Version</a> Then the king sent unto him a captain of fifty with his fifty. And he went up to him: and, behold, he sat on the top of the hill. And he spake unto him, O man of God, the king hath said, Come down. <a href="/gwt/2_kings/1.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> The king sent an army officer with 50 men to Elijah. When the officer found Elijah sitting on top of a hill, he told Elijah, "Man of God, the king says, 'Come down.'" <a href="/gnt/2_kings/1.htm">Good News Translation</a> Then he sent an officer with fifty men to get Elijah. The officer found him sitting on a hill and said to him, "Man of God, the king orders you to come down." <a href="/isv/2_kings/1.htm">International Standard Version</a> So the king sent out 50 men, along with their leader. The leader approached Elijah, who was sitting at the top of a hill. He ordered Elijah, "Hey, man of God! The king orders you to come down!" <a href="/msb/2_kings/1.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Then King Ahaziah sent to Elijah a captain with his company of fifty men. So the captain went up to Elijah, who was sitting on top of a hill, and said to him, ?Man of God, the king declares, ?Come down!?? <a href="/net/2_kings/1.htm">NET Bible</a> The king sent a captain and his fifty soldiers to retrieve Elijah. The captain went up to him, while he was sitting on the top of a hill. He told him, "Prophet, the king says, 'Come down!'" <a href="/nheb/2_kings/1.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Then the king sent a captain of fifty with his fifty to him. He went up to him; and look, he was sitting on the top of the hill. He said to him, "Man of God, the king has said, 'Come down.'" <a href="/wbt/2_kings/1.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Then the king sent to him a captain of fifty with his fifty. And he went up to him: and behold, he sat on the top of a hill. And he spoke to him, Thou man of God, the king hath said, Come down. <a href="/web/2_kings/1.htm">World English Bible</a> Then the king sent a captain of fifty with his fifty to him. He went up to him; and behold, he was sitting on the top of the hill. He said to him, “Man of God, the king has said, ‘Come down!’” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/2_kings/1.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And he sends to him a head of fifty and his fifty, and he goes up to him (and behold, he is sitting on the top of the hill), and he speaks to him, “O man of God, the king has spoken, Come down.” <a href="/ylt/2_kings/1.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And he sendeth unto him a head of fifty and his fifty, and he goeth up unto him (and lo, he is sitting on the top of the hill), and he speaketh unto him, 'O man of God, the king hath spoken, Come down.' <a href="/slt/2_kings/1.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And he will send to him a chief of fifty and his fifty. And he will go Up to him; and behold, he sat upon the head of the mountain. And he will speak to him. Thou man of God, the king spake, Come down.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/2_kings/1.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And he sent to him a captain of fifty, and the fifty men that were under him. And he went up to him, and as he was sitting on the top of a hill, said to him: Man of God, the king hath commanded that thou come down. <a href="/cpdv/2_kings/1.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And he sent to him a leader of fifty, with the fifty who were under him. And he ascended to him, sitting at the top of a hill, and he said, “Man of God, the king commanded that you should descend.” <a href="/nabre/2_kings/1.htm">New American Bible</a> Then the king sent a captain with his company of fifty men after Elijah. The prophet was seated on a hilltop when he found him. He said, “Man of God, the king commands you, ‘Come down.’ ” <a href="/nrsvce/2_kings/1.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Then the king sent to him a captain of fifty with his fifty men. He went up to Elijah, who was sitting on the top of a hill, and said to him, “O man of God, the king says, ‘Come down.’”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/2_kings/1.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Then he sent to him a captain of fifty with his fifty. And he went up to him; and he was sitting on top of a mountain. And he said to him, O prophet of God, the king says, Come down. <a href="/hpbt/2_kings/1.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And he sent a Captain of fifty against him and fifty of his people, and they went up to him, and he sat on the top of a mountain, and he said to him: “Prophet of God! The King says, ‘come down!’”<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/2_kings/1.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> Then the king sent unto him a captain of fifty with his fifty. And he went up to him; and, behold, he sat on the top of the hill. And he spoke unto him: 'O man of God, the king hath said: Come down.' <a href="/sep/2_kings/1.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And he sent to him a captain of fifty and his fifty; and he went up to him: and, behold, Eliu sat on the top of a mountain. And the captain of fifty spoke to him, and said, O man of God, the king has called thee, come down. <a href="/parallel/2_kings/1-9.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FiLs3w_mMFQ?start=101" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/2_kings/1.htm">Elijah Denounces Ahaziah</a> …8“He was a hairy man,” they answered, “with a leather belt around his waist.” “It was Elijah the Tishbite,” said the king. 9<a href="/hebrew/7971.htm" title="7971: way·yiš·laḥ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To send. A primitive root; to send away, for, or out.">Then King Ahaziah sent</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’ê·lāw (Prep:: 3ms) -- To, into, towards. ">to Elijah</a> <a href="/hebrew/8269.htm" title="8269: śar- (N-msc) -- Chieftain, chief, ruler, official, captain, prince. From sarar; a head person.">a captain</a> <a href="/hebrew/2572.htm" title="2572: ḥă·miš·šîm (Number-cp) -- Fifty. Multiple of chamesh; fifty."></a> <a href="/hebrew/2572.htm" title="2572: wa·ḥă·miš·šāw (Conj-w:: Number-cpc:: 3ms) -- Fifty. Multiple of chamesh; fifty.">with his company of fifty men.</a> <a href="/hebrew/5927.htm" title="5927: way·ya·‘al (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- A primitive root; to ascend, intransitively or actively; used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative.">So the captain went up</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’ê·lāw (Prep:: 3ms) -- To, into, towards. ">to Elijah,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2009.htm" title="2009: wə·hin·nêh (Conj-w:: Interjection) -- Lo! behold! Prolongation for hen; lo!"></a> <a href="/hebrew/3427.htm" title="3427: yō·šêḇ (V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- A primitive root; properly, to sit down; by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry.">who was sitting</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘al- (Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">on</a> <a href="/hebrew/7218.htm" title="7218: rōš (N-msc) -- Head. From an unused root apparently meaning to shake; the head, whether literal or figurative.">top</a> <a href="/hebrew/2022.htm" title="2022: hā·hār (Art:: N-ms) -- Mountain, hill, hill country. A shortened form of harar; a mountain or range of hills.">of a hill,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1696.htm" title="1696: way·ḏab·bêr (Conj-w:: V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To speak. A primitive root; perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively, to speak; rarely to subdue.">and said</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’ê·lāw (Prep:: 3ms) -- To, into, towards. ">to him,</a> <a href="/hebrew/376.htm" title="376: ’îš (N-msc) -- Man. Contracted for 'enowsh; a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term.">“Man</a> <a href="/hebrew/430.htm" title="430: hā·’ĕ·lō·hîm (Art:: N-mp) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">of God,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4428.htm" title="4428: ham·me·leḵ (Art:: N-ms) -- King. From malak; a king.">the king</a> <a href="/hebrew/1696.htm" title="1696: dib·ber (V-Piel-Perf-3ms) -- To speak. A primitive root; perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively, to speak; rarely to subdue.">declares,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3381.htm" title="3381: rê·ḏāh (V-Qal-Imp-ms:: 3fs) -- To come or go down, descend. ">‘Come down!’”</a> 10Elijah answered the captain, “If I am a man of God, may fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty men.” And fire came down from heaven and consumed the captain and his fifty men.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/luke/9-54.htm">Luke 9:54-56</a> When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, “Lord, do You want us to call down fire from heaven to consume them?” / But Jesus turned and rebuked them. / And He and His disciples went on to another village. <a href="/matthew/26-53.htm">Matthew 26:53</a> Are you not aware that I can call on My Father, and He will at once put at My disposal more than twelve legions of angels? <a href="/revelation/11-5.htm">Revelation 11:5</a> If anyone wants to harm them, fire proceeds from their mouths and devours their enemies. In this way, anyone who wants to harm them must be killed. <a href="/1_kings/18-36.htm">1 Kings 18:36-38</a> At the time of the evening sacrifice, Elijah the prophet approached the altar and said, “O LORD, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that You are God in Israel and that I am Your servant and have done all these things at Your command. / Answer me, O LORD! Answer me, so that this people will know that You, the LORD, are God, and that You have turned their hearts back again.” / Then the fire of the LORD fell and consumed the sacrifice, the wood, the stones, and the dust, and it licked up the water in the trench. <a href="/2_kings/6-13.htm">2 Kings 6:13-17</a> So the king said, “Go and see where he is, that I may send men to capture him.” On receiving the report, “Elisha is in Dothan,” / the king of Aram sent horses, chariots, and a great army. They went there by night and surrounded the city. / When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early in the morning, behold, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. So he asked Elisha, “Oh, my master, what are we to do?” ... <a href="/exodus/3-2.htm">Exodus 3:2</a> There the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a blazing fire from within a bush. Moses saw the bush ablaze with fire, but it was not consumed. <a href="/numbers/16-35.htm">Numbers 16:35</a> And fire came forth from the LORD and consumed the 250 men who were offering the incense. <a href="/1_samuel/12-18.htm">1 Samuel 12:18</a> So Samuel called to the LORD, and on that day the LORD sent thunder and rain. As a result, all the people greatly feared the LORD and Samuel. <a href="/1_kings/1-9.htm">1 Kings 1:9-10</a> And Adonijah sacrificed sheep, oxen, and fattened calves near the stone of Zoheleth, which is next to En-rogel. He invited all his royal brothers and all the men of Judah who were servants of the king. / But he did not invite Nathan the prophet, Benaiah, the mighty men, or his brother Solomon. <a href="/1_kings/19-12.htm">1 Kings 19:12-13</a> After the earthquake there was a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a still, small voice. / When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Suddenly a voice came to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” <a href="/2_kings/2-23.htm">2 Kings 2:23-24</a> From there, Elisha went up to Bethel, and as he was walking up the road, a group of boys came out of the city and jeered at him, chanting, “Go up, you baldhead! Go up, you baldhead!” / Then he turned around, looked at them, and called down a curse on them in the name of the LORD. Suddenly two female bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of the boys. <a href="/2_kings/4-29.htm">2 Kings 4:29-31</a> So Elisha said to Gehazi, “Tie up your garment, take my staff in your hand, and go! If you meet anyone, do not greet him, and if anyone greets you, do not answer him. Then lay my staff on the boy’s face.” / And the mother of the boy said, “As surely as the LORD lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So he got up and followed her. / Gehazi went on ahead of them and laid the staff on the boy’s face, but there was no sound or response. So he went back to meet Elisha and told him, “The boy has not awakened.” <a href="/2_kings/5-9.htm">2 Kings 5:9-10</a> So Naaman came with his horses and chariots and stood at the door of Elisha’s house. / 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.” <a href="/2_kings/6-31.htm">2 Kings 6:31-33</a> He announced, “May God punish me, and ever so severely, if the head of Elisha son of Shaphat remains on his shoulders through this day!” / 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?” <a href="/2_kings/7-17.htm">2 Kings 7:17-20</a> Now the king had appointed the officer on whose arm he leaned to be in charge of the gate, but the people trampled him in the gateway, and he died, just as the man of God had foretold when the king had come to him. / It happened just as the man of God had told the king: “About this time tomorrow at the gate of Samaria, two seahs of barley will sell for a shekel, and a seah of fine flour will sell for a shekel.” / And the officer had answered the man of God, “Look, even if the LORD were to make windows in heaven, could this really happen?” So Elisha had replied, “You will see it with your own eyes, but you will not eat any of it!” ...</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Then the king sent to him a captain of fifty with his fifty. And he went up to him: and, behold, he sat on the top of an hill. And he spoke to him, You man of God, the king has said, Come down.sent unto<a href="/2_kings/6-13.htm">2 Kings 6:13,14</a> And he said, Go and spy where he is, that I may send and fetch him. And it was told him, saying, Behold, he is in Dothan… <a href="/1_kings/18-4.htm">1 Kings 18:4,10</a> For it was so, when Jezebel cut off the prophets of the LORD, that Obadiah took an hundred prophets, and hid them by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water.) … <a href="/1_kings/19-2.htm">1 Kings 19:2</a> Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah, saying, So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by to morrow about this time.he sat<a href="/1_kings/18-42.htm">1 Kings 18:42</a> So Ahab went up to eat and to drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; and he cast himself down upon the earth, and put his face between his knees,<a href="/luke/6-11.htm">Luke 6:11,12</a> And they were filled with madness; and communed one with another what they might do to Jesus… Thou man<a href="/amos/7-12.htm">Amos 7:12</a> Also Amaziah said unto Amos, O thou seer, go, flee thee away into the land of Judah, and there eat bread, and prophesy there:<a href="/matthew/26-68.htm">Matthew 26:68</a> Saying, Prophesy unto us, thou Christ, Who is he that smote thee?<a href="/matthew/27-29.htm">Matthew 27:29,41-43</a> And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews! … <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_kings/16-16.htm">Captain</a> <a href="/1_kings/10-2.htm">Company</a> <a href="/2_kings/1-8.htm">Elijah</a> <a href="/1_kings/18-22.htm">Fifty</a> <a href="/1_kings/22-26.htm">Head</a> <a href="/1_kings/16-24.htm">Hill</a> <a href="/1_kings/19-11.htm">Mount</a> <a href="/1_kings/22-10.htm">Sat</a> <a href="/1_kings/22-19.htm">Sitting</a> <a href="/1_kings/18-42.htm">Top</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/2_kings/1-10.htm">Captain</a> <a href="/2_kings/2-3.htm">Company</a> <a href="/2_kings/1-10.htm">Elijah</a> <a href="/2_kings/1-10.htm">Fifty</a> <a href="/2_kings/1-11.htm">Head</a> <a href="/2_kings/2-25.htm">Hill</a> <a href="/2_kings/2-25.htm">Mount</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-20.htm">Sat</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-38.htm">Sitting</a> <a href="/2_kings/6-6.htm">Top</a><div class="vheading2">2 Kings 1</div>1. <a href="/2_kings/1-1.htm">Moab rebels</a> 2. <a href="/2_kings/1-2.htm">Ahaziah, sending to Baal-Zebub, has his judgement by Elijah</a> 5. <a href="/2_kings/1-5.htm">Elijah twice brings fire from heaven on those Ahaziah sent to apprehend him.</a> 13. <a href="/2_kings/1-13.htm">He pities the third captain, </a> 15. <a href="/2_kings/1-15.htm">and, encouraged by an angel, tells the king of his death</a> 17. <a href="/2_kings/1-17.htm">Jehoram succeeds Ahaziah</a> </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>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <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> </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>Then King Ahaziah sent to Elijah a captain with his company of fifty men. King Ahaziah, the son of Ahab and Jezebel, ruled over Israel and continued in the idolatrous practices of his parents. His decision to send a captain with fifty men to Elijah reflects the seriousness with which he viewed Elijah's influence and the threat he posed to his authority. The number fifty is significant in the Bible, often symbolizing a period of waiting or a jubilee, but here it underscores the military might and intimidation tactics used by the king. This action also highlights the tension between the prophetic voice of Elijah and the royal authority of Ahaziah, a common theme in the narratives of the kings of Israel.So the captain went up to Elijah, who was sitting on top of a hill, Elijah's position on top of a hill is symbolic of his role as a prophet who is above earthly powers and closer to God. Hills and mountains in the Bible often represent places of divine encounter and revelation, such as Mount Sinai or the Mount of Transfiguration. Elijah's choice to sit on a hill may also indicate his readiness to receive a word from the Lord, as well as his separation from the corrupt practices of the king. This setting foreshadows the confrontation between divine authority and human power.and said to him, “Man of God, the king declares, ‘Come down!’” The title "Man of God" acknowledges Elijah's status as a true prophet, one who speaks on behalf of the Lord. However, the command "Come down!" issued by the king through his captain, is an attempt to assert royal authority over the divine messenger. This phrase highlights the conflict between the word of God and the word of the king, a recurring theme in the prophetic books. The demand for Elijah to come down can be seen as a metaphor for the king's desire to bring the divine message under human control, a futile endeavor as demonstrated by the subsequent events in the narrative.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/k/king_ahaziah.htm">King Ahaziah</a> The king of Israel, son of Ahab and Jezebel, who ruled after his father's death. He is known for his idolatry and reliance on false gods. 2. <a href="/topical/e/elijah.htm">Elijah</a> A prophet of God known for his powerful ministry and miracles. He often confronted the kings of Israel about their idolatry and disobedience to God. 3. <a href="/topical/c/captain_and_fifty_men.htm">Captain and Fifty Men</a> A military officer and his troops sent by King Ahaziah to bring Elijah to him. This reflects the king's attempt to exert authority over the prophet. 4. <a href="/topical/h/hill.htm">Hill</a> The location where Elijah was sitting, symbolizing a place of divine encounter and revelation, often associated with God's presence in biblical accounts. 5. <a href="/topical/m/man_of_god.htm">Man of God</a> A title used for Elijah, indicating his role as a true prophet and servant of the Lord, distinct from the false prophets of Baal.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/a/authority_of_god_vs._human_authority.htm">Authority of God vs. Human Authority</a> The account illustrates the ultimate authority of God over human rulers. Believers are reminded to prioritize God's commands over human demands. <a href="/topical/f/faithfulness_in_adversity.htm">Faithfulness in Adversity</a> Elijah's steadfastness in the face of opposition encourages believers to remain faithful to God's calling, even when pressured by worldly powers. <a href="/topical/d/divine_protection.htm">Divine Protection</a> God's protection of Elijah serves as a reminder that God watches over His servants and can deliver them from harm. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_a_prophet.htm">The Role of a Prophet</a> Elijah's role as a "man of God" underscores the importance of speaking truth to power and being a voice for God's righteousness. <a href="/topical/j/judgment_and_mercy.htm">Judgment and Mercy</a> While Elijah's account involves judgment, the New Testament calls believers to balance truth with grace, following Jesus' example of mercy.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_2_kings_1.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 2 Kings 1</a> <a href="/q/why_did_god_send_fire_in_2_kings_1_9-12.htm">In 2 Kings 1:9–12, how could fire literally descend from heaven, consuming two groups of fifty men, and why would God use such a violent method? </a> <a href="/q/how_do_the_witnesses_defy_nature.htm">In Revelation 11:3–6, how do the two witnesses perform miracles that seemingly defy natural laws? </a> <a href="/q/key_events_in_elijah's_life.htm">What are the key events in Elijah's biblical life?</a> <a href="/q/how_can_2_chr_8_2_and_1_kgs_9_11-13_align.htm">In 2 Chronicles 8:2, Solomon rebuilds cities given by Hiram, yet 1 Kings 9:11-13 implies those cities were unacceptable to him; how can both accounts be accurate?</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>(9) Then the king sent.--Heb., And he sent. With hostile intentions, as is proved by his sending soldiers, and by the words of the angel in <a href="/2_kings/1-15.htm" title="And the angel of the LORD said to Elijah, Go down with him: be not afraid of him. And he arose, and went down with him to the king.">2Kings 1:15</a>. (Comp. <a href="/1_kings/18-8.htm" title="And he answered him, I am: go, tell your lord, Behold, Elijah is here.">1Kings 18:8</a>; <a href="/1_kings/22-26.htm" title="And the king of Israel said, Take Micaiah, and carry him back to Amon the governor of the city, and to Joash the king's son;">1Kings 22:26</a>, seq.)He sat.--Was sitting. The LXX. has "Elias was sitting," which is probably original.A captain of fifty.--The army of Israel was organised by thousands, hundreds, and fifties, each of which had its "captain" (sar). (Comp. <a href="/numbers/31-14.htm" title="And Moses was wroth with the officers of the host, with the captains over thousands, and captains over hundreds, which came from the battle.">Numbers 31:14</a>; <a href="/numbers/31-48.htm" title="And the officers which were over thousands of the host, the captains of thousands, and captains of hundreds, came near to Moses:">Numbers 31:48</a>; <a href="/1_samuel/8-12.htm" title="And he will appoint him captains over thousands, and captains over fifties; and will set them to ear his ground, and to reap his harvest, and to make his instruments of war, and instruments of his chariots.">1Samuel 8:12</a>.) . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/2_kings/1.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 9. - The king sent unto him a captain of fifty. "Captains of fifties" were first instituted in the wilderness by the advice of Jethro (<a href="/exodus/18-21.htm">Exodus 18:21-25</a>). Though not expressly mentioned in the military organization of David, they probably formed a part of it, and so passed into the institutions of the kingdom of Israel. With his fifty. Some recognition of Elijah's superhuman power would seem to have led Ahaziah to send so large a body. His doing so was a sort of challenge to the prophet to show whether Ahaziah or the God whom he represented was the stronger. The circumstances recall those of the "band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees" (<a href="/john/18-3.htm">John 18:3</a>), which was sent, "with swords and staves," to arrest another righteous Person. He sat on the top of a hill; literally, on the top of the hill (ἐπὶ τῆς κορυφῆς τοῦ ὄρους, LXX.). The high ground where Elijah had met the messengers (ver. 3) seems to be intended. When they were gone, the prophet took his seat on the highest point, conspicuous on all sides, so avoiding any attempt at concealment, and awaiting the next step that the king would take, calmly and quietly. He spake unto him; Thou man of God. The captain is thought by some to have spoken ironically; but there is no evidence of this. The address is respectful, submissive. The miraculous powers of Elijah (<a href="/1_kings/17-22.htm">1 Kings 17:22</a>; <a href="/1_kings/18-38.htm">1 Kings 18:38</a>) were probably known to the officer, who hoped by the tone of his address to escape the prophet's anger. In the same spirit he avoids issuing any command of his own, and prefers simply to deliver the king's command - The king hath said, Come down. <a href="/commentaries/2_kings/1-9.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>Then King Ahaziah sent וַיִּשְׁלַ֥ח (way·yiš·laḥ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7971.htm">Strong's 7971: </a> To send away, for, out to Elijah אֵלָ֛יו (’ê·lāw) Preposition | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> Near, with, among, to a captain שַׂר־ (śar-) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8269.htm">Strong's 8269: </a> Chieftain, chief, ruler, official, captain, prince with his company of fifty men. וַחֲמִשָּׁ֑יו (wa·ḥă·miš·šāw) Conjunctive waw | Number - common plural construct | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2572.htm">Strong's 2572: </a> Fifty So the captain went up וַיַּ֣עַל (way·ya·‘al) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5927.htm">Strong's 5927: </a> To ascend, in, actively to [Elijah], אֵלָ֗יו (’ê·lāw) Preposition | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> Near, with, among, to who was sitting יֹשֵׁב֙ (yō·šêḇ) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3427.htm">Strong's 3427: </a> To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry on עַל־ (‘al-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> Above, over, upon, against top רֹ֣אשׁ (rōš) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7218.htm">Strong's 7218: </a> The head of a hill, הָהָ֔ר (hā·hār) Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2022.htm">Strong's 2022: </a> Mountain, hill, hill country and said וַיְדַבֵּ֣ר (way·ḏab·bêr) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1696.htm">Strong's 1696: </a> To arrange, to speak, to subdue to him, אֵלָ֔יו (’ê·lāw) Preposition | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> Near, with, among, to “Man אִ֚ישׁ (’îš) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_376.htm">Strong's 376: </a> A man as an individual, a male person of God, הָֽאֱלֹהִ֔ים (hā·’ĕ·lō·hîm) Article | Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative the king הַמֶּ֥לֶךְ (ham·me·leḵ) Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4428.htm">Strong's 4428: </a> A king declares, דִּבֶּ֖ר (dib·ber) Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1696.htm">Strong's 1696: </a> To arrange, to speak, to subdue ‘Come down!’” רֵֽדָה׃ (rê·ḏāh) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular | third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3381.htm">Strong's 3381: </a> To come or go down, descend <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/2_kings/1-9.htm">2 Kings 1:9 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/2_kings/1-9.htm">2 Kings 1:9 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/2_kings/1-9.htm">2 Kings 1:9 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/2_kings/1-9.htm">2 Kings 1:9 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/2_kings/1-9.htm">2 Kings 1:9 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/2_kings/1-9.htm">2 Kings 1:9 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/2_kings/1-9.htm">2 Kings 1:9 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/2_kings/1-9.htm">2 Kings 1:9 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/2_kings/1-9.htm">2 Kings 1:9 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/2_kings/1-9.htm">2 Kings 1:9 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/2_kings/1-9.htm">OT History: 2 Kings 1:9 Then the king sent to him (2Ki iiKi ii ki 2 kg 2kg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/2_kings/1-8.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="2 Kings 1:8"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="2 Kings 1:8" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/2_kings/1-10.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="2 Kings 1:10"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="2 Kings 1:10" /></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>