2 Kings 1:15 kjv
And the angel of the LORD said unto Elijah, Go down with him: be not afraid of him. And he arose, and went down with him unto the king.
2 Kings 1:15 nkjv
And the angel of the LORD said to Elijah, "Go down with him; do not be afraid of him." So he arose and went down with him to the king.
2 Kings 1:15 niv
The angel of the LORD said to Elijah, "Go down with him; do not be afraid of him." So Elijah got up and went down with him to the king.
2 Kings 1:15 esv
Then the angel of the LORD said to Elijah, "Go down with him; do not be afraid of him." So he arose and went down with him to the king
2 Kings 1:15 nlt
Then the angel of the LORD said to Elijah, "Go down with him, and don't be afraid of him." So Elijah got up and went with him to the king.
2 Kings 1 15 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Divine Command & Empowerment: | ||
| Gen 12:1 | Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out... | God initiates action with direct command. |
| Exod 3:10 | Come now therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh... | God sends His chosen one to confront a king. |
| Josh 1:9 | Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid.. | Command against fear when undertaking task. |
| Isa 6:9 | And he said, Go, and tell this people... | Prophet commissioned directly by God. |
| Jer 1:7 | But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I am a child... I send thee. | Divine command to overcome self-doubt/fear. |
| Ezk 2:3 | Son of man, I send thee to the children of Israel... | Prophet sent to rebellious people/king. |
| Jon 3:2 | Arise, go unto Nineveh, that great city, and preach... | Repeated divine command to prophet. |
| Trust and Fearlessness: | ||
| Deu 31:6 | Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid... | General command for Israel not to fear. |
| Psa 27:1 | The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? | Confidence in God overcomes fear. |
| Isa 41:10 | Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God... | God promises His presence to quell fear. |
| Matt 10:28 | And fear not them which kill the body... | Disciples commanded to fear God alone. |
| Heb 13:6 | So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear... | Confidence in God's help removes fear. |
| Obedience to God's Voice: | ||
| Gen 22:3 | And Abraham rose up early in the morning... | Immediate obedience to divine command. |
| Exod 4:29 | And Moses and Aaron went and gathered together all the elders... | Moses' obedience despite initial reluctance. |
| 1 Sam 15:22 | Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings... as in obeying? | Obedience prioritised over sacrifice. |
| Heb 11:8 | By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out... obeyed... | Faith demonstrated through obedience. |
| Acts 9:6 | And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? | Immediate response to divine voice. |
| Angel of the LORD/Divine Presence: | ||
| Gen 16:7 | And the angel of the LORD found her by a fountain of water... | Angel of the LORD appearing to Hagar. |
| Gen 31:11 | And the angel of God spake unto me in a dream, saying, Jacob... | Angel of God speaking to Jacob. |
| Judg 6:12 | And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him, and said unto him, The LORD... | Angel of the LORD appears to Gideon. |
| Exod 3:2 | And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a flame... | Angel of the LORD appears to Moses. |
| Zech 12:8 | and the angel of the LORD before them. | Angel of the LORD as a protector. |
| Acts 23:9 | but if a spirit or an angel hath spoken to him, let us not fight... | Recognition of angelic intervention. |
| Confronting Idolatry & Authority: | ||
| Exod 7:1-6 | The LORD said unto Moses, See, I have made thee a god to Pharaoh... | Confrontation of Pharaoh by divine decree. |
| 1 Kgs 18:21-40 | Elijah's challenge to the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel. | Elijah's prior confrontations with Baal worship. |
2 Kings 1 verses
2 Kings 1 15 Meaning
2 Kings 1:15 signifies God's direct command to Elijah, empowering him to overcome fear and engage with the idolatrous King Ahaziah. The verse highlights Elijah's immediate obedience to the divine word, marking a transition from severe judgment to a prophetic confrontation delivered directly to the king, all under divine protection.
2 Kings 1 15 Context
The events of 2 Kings chapter 1 unfold as King Ahaziah of Israel, having fallen from a lattice, consults Baal-Zebub, the Philistine god of Ekron, rather than the Lord God of Israel. This act of idolatry and lack of faith provokes God's judgment. Elijah, God's prophet, is divinely sent to declare Ahaziah's impending death. Two previous detachments of 50 soldiers, sent by the king to arrest Elijah, are consumed by fire from heaven, demonstrating God's formidable power and protection over His prophet. The verse 2 Kings 1:15 occurs at a pivotal moment: a third captain, unlike his predecessors, humbly pleads with Elijah. The Angel of the LORD then intervenes, commanding Elijah, who had previously displayed a bold, unyielding stance, to accompany this humbled captain to the king without fear. This shift emphasizes God's sovereign control over the situation and Elijah's absolute reliance on divine instruction.
2 Kings 1 15 Word analysis
- And the angel of the LORD: Hebrew: mal'akh YHWH (מַלְאַךְ יְהוָה). "Mal'akh" means "messenger" or "angel." "YHWH" is the sacred covenant name of God. This phrase often signifies a special manifestation of God Himself (a theophany or Christophany), rather than merely a created angelic being. This divine presence assures Elijah of supreme authority and protection for the mission. It implies the direct personal intervention of God.
- said unto Elijah: This highlights the direct, personal communication from God to His prophet. It underscores Elijah's unique role as God's spokesperson and the divine origin of the command, legitimizing Elijah's subsequent actions before the king.
- Go down with him: A specific directive to accompany the third captain to the king. Previously, Elijah remained apart, calling down fire. This command marks a change, indicating that God now intends a direct verbal confrontation with the king. It shows God's control over the circumstances, including when and how His prophet engages.
- be not afraid of him: Hebrew: al-tirah mimmennu (אַל-תִּירָא מִמֶּנּוּ). A clear imperative forbidding fear, especially crucial given that Elijah is now to enter the presence of a king who previously sought to seize and likely execute him. This command underscores divine protection and reassurance, reminding Elijah that his safety and success depend on God, not the king's power or personal bravery alone. It also implies God is taking full responsibility for the encounter's outcome.
- So he arose: Elijah's immediate physical action. "Arose" suggests preparation and readiness for the task, even from a seated or stationary position. This demonstrates his swift and unwavering obedience to the divine word.
- and went down with him: Conveys Elijah's compliance with the instruction. The act of "going down" (to Samaria, the capital) suggests descending from a higher, more remote place where Elijah had been previously (likely Mount Carmel or a similar refuge). This indicates Elijah’s submission to the divine directive even when it means facing personal danger.
- unto the king: The direct target of Elijah's journey and prophecy. This phrase emphasizes the confrontation is directly with King Ahaziah himself, confirming God's intent for a face-to-face declaration of judgment rather than indirect messages. It solidifies the divine authority overriding earthly kingship.
2 Kings 1 15 Bonus section
The third captain's humility, kneeling and pleading for his life (2 Ki 1:13-14), provides a crucial contrast to the arrogance of the previous captains. It is this posture of humility and repentance that God honors by commanding Elijah to go with him. This exemplifies a recurring biblical theme: God shows favor to the humble and brings low the proud (Jas 4:6, 1 Pet 5:5). The fact that the "Angel of the LORD" had to specifically command Elijah not to be afraid, suggests that despite his prior bold actions, Elijah, as a human prophet, still wrestled with legitimate fears in the face of such repeated and intense opposition. This personal instruction reassures us that God understands human weakness and provides grace and courage in the face of daunting assignments.
2 Kings 1 15 Commentary
2 Kings 1:15 reveals profound theological truths. It primarily showcases God's absolute sovereignty and meticulous direction of His chosen servants. The appearance of the "Angel of the LORD" is crucial, implying God's own direct command and presence. This encounter transforms Elijah's role from one who stood above and judged remotely (calling fire down) to one who must directly confront the ungodly king. The command, "Go down with him: be not afraid of him," is a powerful assurance. It acknowledges the inherent danger of approaching a hostile monarch after publicly shaming him and executing his forces. Yet, God dispels all fear, guaranteeing Elijah's protection and successful completion of the mission. Elijah's immediate obedience – "So he arose, and went down with him unto the king" – stands as a testament to his unwavering faith and submission to divine authority. It is an act of pure faith, demonstrating that true courage stems from trusting God's word and presence rather than human strength or defiance. The passage also serves as a sharp contrast between God's mighty power working through His prophet and the impotence of Ahaziah's idolatry.