Through a lattice. — Rather, the lattice, i.e., the latticed window of the chamber on the palace roof, looking into the court below. The word rendered “through” (bĕ‘ad) implies that Ahaziah was leaning out over the window-sill. (Comp. 2 Kings 9:30; Psalms 14:2.) He perhaps fell into a gallery underneath, as the palace would be several storeys high, and he was not killed by his fall. The word sĕbâkhâh means “net” in Job 18:8, and decorative “network” in metal in 1 Kings 7:18; 2 Chronicles 4:12. The Rabbis explain it here as a sort of skylight to the chamber beneath the upper chamber, or a spiral stairway; both improbable.
He sent messengers. — By Jezebeľs advice. (S Ephrem.)
Baal-zebub. — Here only in the Old Testament. “Lord of Flies” is generally compared with the Greek Ζϵὺς ὰπομυῖος, or μυίαγρος, the “fly-averting Zeus” of the Eleans (Paus., viii. 26, 4), and it is no doubt true that flies are an extraordinary pest in the East. But when we remember that “myiomancy,” or divination by watching the movements of flies, is an ancient Babylonian practice, we can hardly doubt that this is the true significance of the title “Baal-zebub.” In the Assyrian deluge tablet the gods are said to have gathered over Izdubar’s sacrifice “like flies” (kîma zumbie). The later Jewish spelling (Βεελζεβοὺλ) probably contains an allusive reference to the Talmudic woras zébel (“dung”), zibbûl (“dunging”).
Ekron. — Akir (Joshua 13:3). Of the five Philistine cities it lay farthest north, and so nearest to Samaria.
Recover. — Literally, live from, or after.
Disease. — Sickness, viz., that occasioned by his fall. The LXX. adds, “and they went to inquire of him.”