Deep Dive

II Kings 1:14

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Behold, fire has come down from heaven and consumed the first two captains of fifty, with all their men. But now may my life be precious in your sight.”

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Commentaries

Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.

Matthew Henry Bible Commentaryv. 14

We here find Ahaziah, the genuine son and successor of Ahab, on the throne of Israel. His reign continued not two years; he died by a fall in his own house, of which, after the mention of the revolt of Moab (Kg2 1:1), we have here an account. I. The message which, on that occasion, he sent to the god of Ekron (Kg2 1:2). II. The message he received from the God of Israel (Kg2 1:3-8). III. The destruction of the messengers he sent to seize the prophet, once and again (Kg2 1:9-12). IV. His compassion to, and compliance with, the third messenger, upon his submission, and the delivery of the message to the king himself (Kg2 1:13-16). IV. The death of Ahaziah (Kg2 1:17, Kg2 1:18). In the story we may observe how great the prophet looks and how little the prince.

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Original language

The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).

Strong's Concordancev. 14

יָרַד (yârad, H3381) — to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the… אֵשׁ (ʼêsh, H784) — fire (literally or figuratively) שָׁמַיִם (shâmayim, H8064) — the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds… אָכַל (ʼâkal, H398) — to eat (literally or figuratively) שְׁנַיִם (shᵉnayim, H8147) — two; also (as ordinal) twofold שַׂר (sar, H8269) — a head person (of any rank or class) רִאשׁוֹן (riʼshôwn, H7223) — first, in place, time or rank (as adjective or noun) חֲמִשִּׁים (chămishshîym, H2572) — fifty נֶפֶשׁ (nephesh, H5315) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in… יָקַר (yâqar, H3365) — properly, apparently, to be heavy, i.e. (figuratively) valuable; causatively, to make… עַיִן (ʻayin, H5869) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

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Cross-references

Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.

Acts 20:24rank 4

But I consider my life of no value to me, if only I may finish my course and complete the ministry I have received from the Lord Jesus—the ministry of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.

Psalms 72:14rank 2

He will redeem them from oppression and violence, for their blood is precious in his sight.

Psalms 49:8rank 2

For the redemption of his soul is costly, and never can payment suffice,

I Samuel 26:21rank 2

Then Saul replied, “I have sinned. Come back, David my son. I will never harm you again, because today you considered my life precious. I have played the fool and have committed a grave error!”

Proverbs 6:26rank 2

For the levy of the prostitute is poverty, and the adulteress preys upon your very life.

Psalms 116:15rank 2

Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His saints.

I Samuel 26:24rank 2

As surely as I valued your life today, so may the LORD value my life and rescue me from all trouble.”

Commentaries

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