Old Testament

New Testament

2 Kings 1:11-17 New International Reader's Version (NIRV)

11. After that happened, the king sent another captain to Elijah. The captain had his 50 men with him. He said to Elijah, "Man of God, the king says, 'Come down at once!' "

12. Elijah replied, "If I'm really a man of God, may fire come down from heaven! May it burn you and your 50 men up!" Then the fire of God came down from heaven. It burned up the captain and his 50 men.

13. So the king sent a third captain with his 50 men. The captain went up to Elijah. He fell on his knees in front of him. "Man of God," he begged, "please have respect for my life! Please have respect for the lives of these 50 men!

14. Fire has come down from heaven. It has burned up the first two captains and all of their men. But please have respect for my life!"

15. The angel of the Lord spoke to Elijah. He said, "Go down with him. Don't be afraid of him." So Elijah got up. He went down with the captain to the king.

16. Elijah told the king, "The Lord says, 'You have sent messengers to ask Baal-Zebub for advice. He is the god of Ekron. Did you go to that god for advice because you think there is no God in Israel? You will never leave the bed you are lying on. You can be sure that you will die!' "

17. So Ahaziah died. It happened just as the Lord had said it would. He had spoken that message through Elijah. Ahaziah didn't have any sons. So Joram, his younger brother, became the next king after him. It was the second year of Jehoram, the king of Judah. Jehoram was the son of Jehoshaphat.

Read complete chapter 2 Kings 1