MINISTRY OF ELIJAH
Text: 2 Kings 1
13 October 2009
(I) MINISTRY OF ELIJAH
1. In the reign of king Ahab (1 Kings 17-22)
2. In the reign of king Ahaziah, son of Ahab (2 kings 1)
(II) HISTORICAL CONTEXT
1. Ahaziah’s accident (2 Kings 1:2)
2. Seeking Baal-Zebub the god of Ekron (2 Kings 1:4)
(III) A SPECIAL WORD FROM THE LORD
1. Elijah sent to meet with the messengers of king Ahaziah (2 Kings 1:3-4)
2. Two messages
a) A word of rebuke for seeking Baal-Zebub (2 Kings 1:3)
b) Death sentence pronounced against king Ahaziah (2 Kings 1:4)
(IV) REPORT OF THE MESSENGERS TO KING AHAB
1. The messengers reported to the king about being prevented from seeking Baal-Zebub (2 Kings 1:5-6)
2. Elijah the prophet identified as the man who sent the messengers back (2 Kings 1:7-8)
(V) ATTEMPTS TO ARREST ELIJAH
1. A guard of 50 soldiers led by a captain (2 Kings 1:9-11)
a) Rudeness shown to the “man of God” (2 Kings 1:9c)
b) Fire from heaven consumed these soldiers (2 Kings 1:10)
2. Second guard of 50 soldiers sent to arrest Elijah (2 Kings 1:11-12)
Repeat of experience!
3. Third guard of soldiers sent (2 Kings 1:13-14)
a) Show great respect for Elijah (2 Kings 1:13)
i) Fell on his knees
ii) Pleaded with Elijah for mercy
b) Mercy given
i) The third guard was spared
ii) No fiery judgment from the Lord
(VI) PROPHETIC JUDGMENT
1. Elijah went with the third guard of soldiers to see king Ahaziah (2 Kings 1:15)
2. Divine judgment to be given to king Ahaziah
i) Severe rebuke for seeking Baal-Zebub (2 Kings 16:16a)
ii) King Ahaziah would die from his injuries (2 Kings 1:16b)
3. Fulfilment of Elijah’s prophecy
“So Ahaziah died according to the word of the LORD which Elijah had spoken.” 2 Kings 1:17a