2 Kings 1:13 kjv
And he sent again a captain of the third fifty with his fifty. And the third captain of fifty went up, and came and fell on his knees before Elijah, and besought him, and said unto him, O man of God, I pray thee, let my life, and the life of these fifty thy servants, be precious in thy sight.
2 Kings 1:13 nkjv
Again, he sent a third captain of fifty with his fifty men. And the third captain of fifty went up, and came and fell on his knees before Elijah, and pleaded with him, and said to him: "Man of God, please let my life and the life of these fifty servants of yours be precious in your sight.
2 Kings 1:13 niv
So the king sent a third captain with his fifty men. This third captain went up and fell on his knees before Elijah. "Man of God," he begged, "please have respect for my life and the lives of these fifty men, your servants!
2 Kings 1:13 esv
Again the king sent the captain of a third fifty with his fifty. And the third captain of fifty went up and came and fell on his knees before Elijah and entreated him, "O man of God, please let my life, and the life of these fifty servants of yours, be precious in your sight.
2 Kings 1:13 nlt
Once more the king sent a third captain with fifty men. But this time the captain went up the hill and fell to his knees before Elijah. He pleaded with him, "O man of God, please spare my life and the lives of these, your fifty servants.
2 Kings 1 13 Cross References
| Verse | Text (Shortened) | Reference Note |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 33:3-4 | He himself went on ahead… he bowed himself to the ground seven times… | Example of bowing in humility/submission. |
| 1 Sam 25:23-24 | When Abigail saw David, she dismounted from her donkey and fell on her face before David… | Humble appeal for life and favor to an offended party. |
| 1 Ki 13:1 | And behold, a man of God came out of Judah by the word of the LORD to Bethel… | Similar usage of "man of God" for a prophet. |
| 1 Ki 19:18 | yet I will leave seven thousand in Israel… whose mouths have not kissed Baal. | Reference to bowing the knee as worship/allegiance. |
| 2 Ki 1:9-12 | (Previous captains consumed by fire) | Direct contrast and immediate context of the narrative. |
| Psa 95:6 | Come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the LORD, our Maker! | Kneeling as an act of worship and submission to God. |
| Prov 15:33 | The fear of the LORD is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honor. | Humility preceding divine favor and preservation. |
| Jer 38:19 | But Zedekiah the king said to Jeremiah, "I am afraid of the Judeans who have deserted…" | King fears the prophet due to perceived authority (contrast with this king). |
| Lam 3:22-23 | The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; His mercies never come to an end… | A reminder of God's capacity for mercy that the captain appealed to. |
| Isa 66:2 | ...but this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit… | God's favor rests on the humble and contrite. |
| Dan 6:10 | When Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he went to his house… and he knelt on his knees three times a day… | Example of kneeling in prayer and supplication. |
| Amos 7:14 | Then Amos answered Amaziah, "I was no prophet, nor a prophet's son, but I was a herdsman…" | A prophet confronting royal authority with God's word. |
| Mic 6:8 | He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? | Emphasizes the requirement of humility before God. |
| Luke 7:2-8 | A centurion… sent elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and heal his servant… | An example of humility and respect for authority (Jesus's) in seeking help. |
| Matt 23:12 | Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. | Principle of divine reversal: humility leads to exaltation. |
| Jas 4:6 | But He gives more grace. Therefore it says, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." | Direct principle underpinning the outcome for the third captain. |
| 1 Pet 5:6 | Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time He may exalt you… | Encouragement to humility for God's eventual exaltation. |
| Prov 6:30-31 | (Mercy for thieves repaying 7 times vs. no pity for murderers) | Hints at valuing human life in a legal sense, contrast in a different context. |
| Phil 4:6 | Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. | Example of bringing requests to God through humble prayer. |
| Eph 6:18 | praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication… | Emphasizes the need for continuous prayer and humble supplication. |
| 2 Sam 24:14 | Then David said to Gad, "I am in great distress. Let us fall into the hand of the LORD, for his mercy is great…" | Appeal to God's great mercy, contrasting human judgment. |
| Luke 18:13 | But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me, a sinner!' | Humility and plea for mercy leading to justification. |
2 Kings 1 verses
2 Kings 1 13 Meaning
This verse narrates the third captain's decisive and contrasting approach to Elijah. Unlike his predecessors, who came with arrogant demands and faced fiery judgment, this captain came with profound humility, demonstrated by falling on his knees. He acknowledged Elijah as the "Man of God" and desperately pleaded for mercy, not only for his own life but also for the lives of his fifty men, recognizing Elijah's divinely given authority and power to spare or destroy. This act of sincere supplication, valuing life over pride, was a direct appeal to the Lord's mercy through His prophet.
2 Kings 1 13 Context
The setting for 2 Kings chapter 1 is immediately following King Ahaziah of Israel's fall through a lattice. Instead of seeking the Lord, Ahaziah inquired of Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron, showing contempt for the one true God. This defiance provoked the LORD, who sent Elijah the prophet to declare Ahaziah's impending death. In response, Ahaziah attempted to assert his earthly authority by dispatching two successive military captains with fifty men each to arrest Elijah. Both captains, approaching with arrogance and a commanding tone (telling Elijah, "Man of God, the king says, ‘Come down quickly!’"), were consumed by fire from heaven, demonstrating God's absolute sovereignty and severe judgment on those who defy His anointed servant. The king's persistence, even after witnessing divine wrath twice, leads to the sending of a third captain. This third captain's drastically different, humble approach, depicted in verse 13, becomes a crucial turning point in the narrative, highlighting the difference between defiance and deference to God's prophet.
2 Kings 1 13 Word analysis
- Again: Implies a continuation of the king's persistent but futile attempts, emphasizing his stubbornness in the face of divine judgment. It signals a repetitive action that highlights the king's defiance of the divine warning.
- third captain of fifty: This denotes the king's continued use of military force and the significant number of men involved, yet underscores the vulnerability of human strength against divine power. The specific mention of "third" highlights the final chance for a different outcome.
- went up: Signifies the physical action of ascending to Elijah's location, possibly implying effort and a willingness to approach the prophet, contrasting with a forceful summoning.
- came and fell on his knees: וַיִּכְרַע֙ (vayyikhra') - This Hebrew verb indicates a profound act of kneeling or prostrating, a posture of extreme humility, submission, and respect. It is an act of veneration and supplication, starkly contrasting the previous captains' commanding stance. This immediate physical gesture demonstrates a recognition of Elijah's superior, divinely appointed authority, not just as a man, but as God's representative. It is akin to worship or desperate pleading.
- pleaded with him: וַיִּתְחַן֙ לוֹ (vayyitḥan lo) - Derived from the root חָנַן (chanan), meaning "to be gracious" or "to show favor." In its reflexive form (hithpael), it means "to implore," "to seek favor," or "to make supplication." This signifies a humble petition, begging for mercy, rather than a demand. It reflects a complete reversal of attitude, expressing dependence and the earnest desire for compassion.
- Man of God: אִישׁ הָאֱלֹהִים (Ish Ha'Elohim) - This is a title of great honor and reverence used for prophets, acknowledging their divine commission and direct connection to the Lord. While the previous captains used this title as a prefix to their arrogant commands, this captain uses it as an address of profound respect, leading into a desperate plea, recognizing the prophet as one who possesses God's authority and speaks for Him.
- please let my life and the lives of these fifty of your servants be precious in your sight: This is the core of the captain's plea for mercy. The term "precious" (יֵקַ֤ר, yekar) signifies valuable, honorable, or held in high regard. The captain begs Elijah to view their lives as worthy of preservation from God's judgment. He acknowledges not just his own vulnerability but also the lives of his men, referring to them as "your servants," thereby humbling himself and his entire company before God's prophet, rather than boasting of their status as "the king's servants." This act of self-abasement and sincere petition for mercy marked the essential difference in his fate.
- Words-group Analysis:
- "fell on his knees... pleaded with him": This combined action epitomizes a radical shift from arrogance to deep humility. It visually and verbally conveys surrender and utter dependence, acknowledging God's ultimate power channeled through Elijah. This shows a deep understanding of who Elijah represented.
- "Man of God, please let my life and the lives of these fifty of your servants be precious in your sight": This entire plea articulates true wisdom. It correctly identifies Elijah's divine status ("Man of God"), humbles the captain and his men ("your servants"), and implores mercy rather than demanding action, appealing to the sanctity of life from a divine perspective. The use of "precious in your sight" rather than a mere request for rescue, suggests an understanding that their lives are under the divine scrutiny of judgment or mercy, highlighting a plea for grace.
2 Kings 1 13 Bonus section
- The dramatic contrast between the two fiery judgments and this act of salvation serves as a theological statement: God is sovereign over all earthly power and responds distinctly to rebellion versus humble supplication.
- This narrative parallels other instances in Scripture where humility leads to life and pride leads to destruction (e.g., Pharaoh vs. Moses, Nebuchadnezzar's initial pride vs. later humility).
- The phrase "Man of God" is more than a mere title here; it is the recognition of Elijah's unique covenant relationship with God, making him an agent of divine judgment or salvation. The first two captains' casual or demanding use of it highlighted their disregard, whereas the third captain's use underscored his deep respect.
- The incident highlights the sacredness of human life, which is ultimately in God's hands. The captain's valuing of "my life and the lives of these fifty of your servants" demonstrated a righteous concern that contrasts with the king's callous disregard.
- The episode is a powerful demonstration of the truth that genuine repentance, even at the last possible moment, can avert destruction, showcasing God's readiness to extend grace.
2 Kings 1 13 Commentary
2 Kings 1:13 stands as a poignant biblical example of the power of humility and a clear distinction between prideful defiance and humble submission when confronting divine authority. Following two instances where military commanders were consumed by divine fire for their arrogance, this third captain’s radical shift in demeanor demonstrates spiritual insight. He did not challenge or command, but immediately humbled himself by prostrating and earnestly imploring Elijah, God’s representative, for mercy on his and his men's lives. This genuine appeal, recognizing Elijah’s divinely invested authority as the "Man of God" and submitting to it, resonated with the Lord's character of mercy toward the contrite heart. It reveals that the key to divine favor, and indeed salvation from judgment, often lies not in strength or status, but in humility, respect for God's word, and a plea for grace, which acknowledges God's absolute sovereignty over life and death. The example reminds believers that while God opposes the proud, He shows grace to the humble, offering deliverance even in dire circumstances when true repentance is shown.