Reader! to what a wretched state was Israel reduced, in consequence of their idolatry! It is almost incredible to conceive how the mind of any man could ever be so degenerate as to fancy a dumb idol could speak. The name of this dunghill god is remarkable. The devil himself is called Beel-zebub. And this god of Ekron is Baal-zebub. Baal is the well known name of lord: and Zebub signifies a fly. But wherefore Ekron's image was so named, it is difficult to form an opinion. Are not the doctrines of charms, and omens, and what is called fortune telling, and the like superstitions, similar to the consulting this dunghill idol? I wish many who call themselves Christians, would learn the wickedness, as well as folly of such conduct. How lovely the prophet Elijah appears in his open reproof. Oh! for faithfulness in all the servants o f Jesus!
Related Commentaries of 2 Kings 1:2
2 Kings 1:2-4
2 And Ahaziah fell down through a lattice in his upper chamber that was in Samaria, and was sick: and he sent messengers, and said unto them, Go, enquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekron whether I shall recover of this disease.
3 But the angel of the LORD said to Elijah the Tishbite, Arise, go up to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria, and say unto them, Is it not because there is not a God in Israel, that ye go to enquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekron?
4 Now therefore thus saith the LORD, Thou shalt not come down from that bed on which thou art gone up, but shalt surely die. And Elijah departed.