Who Should we Follow in Life. (2 Kings 1: 1-18)

The Bible Project Daily Podcast is a daily, in-depth study of the entire Bible, chapter by chapter, verse by verse. 

Episode Notes: Who Should we Follow in Life. (2 Kings 1: 1-18)

Who should we follow in life? 

Should you follow your mother, or your father? The reason we’re asking that is because the opening chapter of 2 Kings forces that issue. It’s right there in the text. 

Let's begin the next stage of our journey….

Transcript

Who Should we Follow in Life? (2 Kings 1: 1-18)

We’ve just wrapped up our series in 1 Kings, and if you remember, the book ended with a fascinating contrast. 

Two kings appear in the final verses, both sons, both inheriting a throne, both following in their father’s footsteps. But one walked in righteousness, and the other walked straight into evil.

So, I titled that message, “Who Should We Follow?”  

And the answer, of course, as we discovered yesterday, was: It depends on who your father is.

Well, to be fair — and to keep the mothers from feeling left out — today we’re going to ask the companion question:

Should you follow your mother?

And the reason we’re asking that is because the opening chapter of 2 Kings forces that issue. It’s right there in the text. 

In fact, the end of 1 Kings and the beginning of 2 Kings are really one continuous story — remember, originally, they were one book — and the transition between them is seamless.

So, before we dive into 2 Kings 1, let me remind you how 1 Kings ends, because it sets the stage for everything that follows.

Let's begin the next stage of our journey….

1 Kings closes with this summary:

“Ahaziah, the son of Ahab, became king over Israel… He did evil in the sight of the LORD and walked in the way of his father, and in the way of his mother, and in the way of Jeroboam… He served Baal and worshiped him and provoked the LORD God of Israel to anger.”

Now, that’s quite a résumé.

Ahaziah followed, his father Ahab and his mother Jezebel, and Jeroboam, the original architect of Israel’s idolatry.

So, the text highlights four things about him:

      I.        He walked in the ways of his parents.

     II.        He served and worshiped Baal.

    III.        He made Israel sin.

   IV.        He provoked the Lord to anger.

That’s the spiritual DNA of the man we’re about to meet in 2 Kings 1.

And with that background, the opening verse of 2 Kings makes perfect sense.

1 After Ahab’s death, Moab rebelled against Israel. 2 Now Ahaziah had fallen through the lattice of his upper room in Samaria and injured himself. So, he sent messengers, saying to them, “Go and consult Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron, to see if I will recover from this injury.”

(2 Kings 1: 1-2)

This end of 1 Kings was more than a historical footnote. It was meant to be a spiritual barometer.

David had subdued Moab generations earlier.

They remained under Israel’s control even after the kingdom split.

But now — as soon as Ahab dies — Moab rebels.

Why?

Because Ahaziah is weak.

Spiritually weak, politically weak, and morally weak.

As Dale Ralph Davis puts it in his commentary on this 2 Kings.

“When a nation loses its spiritual spine, its political backbone soon follows.”

Moab’s rebellion is the first crack in the wall, and more are coming.

It tells us “Ahaziah fell through the lattice of his upper room and is injured.” Now, this is not slapstick comedy; this is symbolic.

Ancient homes used latticework to let in the breeze while blocking the sun. Some scholars suggest this lattice was on the flat roof — a common place to cool off in the evening — and Ahaziah fell through it into the room below.

But the physical fall mirrors a spiritual fall.

Ahaziah is a king who has no stability in his soul, and now he has no stability in his palace.

He is a king who has fallen from the Lord, and now he falls from the roof.

And lying injured, facing the possibility of death, he has a choice to make — the same choice every king in this book must make:

Will he seek the Lord, or will he seek another god, and tragically, he chooses the latter.

He sent messengers to inquire of Baal‑zebub, the god of Ekron to see if he will recover.

Now we need to pause, right there.

This is the king of Israel.

The king of the covenant people.

The king who has access to the God who sent fire from heaven on Mount Carmel…. And he sends messengers to a Philistine idol.

And not just any idol, Baal‑zebub, which literally means “lord of the flies.” Yes, that is where the name of that famous book comes from.

It’s the ancient equivalent of naming him “the god of garbage.”

And Ahaziah sends messengers to that god to ask about his health.

Where did he learn that?

From his mother — Jezebel — the high priestess of Baal worship.

From his father — Ahab — who built temples to Baal, and from Jeroboam — who led Israel into idolatry.

Ahaziah is simply following the spiritual footsteps laid before him.

And that’s why the question of this episode matters:

Who should we follow?

Because if you follow the wrong people, you will seek the wrong gods, and you will end up in the wrong place.

But God Intervenes  and Elijah Returns

3 But the angel of the Lord said to Elijah the Tishbite, “Go up and meet the messengers of the king of Samaria and ask them, ‘Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are going off to consult Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron?’ 4 Therefore this is what the Lord says: ‘You will not leave the bed you are lying on. You will certainly die!’” So Elijah went.

(2 Kings 1: 3-4)

Ah — Elijah.

The prophet of fire.

The man who stood alone on Mount Carmel.

The man who confronted Ahab.

The man who prayed and shut the heavens.

And now God sends him on one final mission to Ahab’s son.

And the message is simple, and it takes the form of an ironic question:

“Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are going to inquire of Baal‑zebub?”

That question is the theme of the entire chapter.

It’s the theme of the entire book and indeed the entire exile period.

Is there no God in Israel?

Is God not enough?

Is His Word not sufficient?

Is His covenant not binding?

And Elijah delivers the verdict:

“You shall not recover, but you shall surely die.”

Ahaziah sought the wrong god, and he got the wrong answer.

5 When the messengers returned to the king, he asked them, “Why have you come back?” 6 “A man came to meet us,” they replied. “And he said to us, ‘Go back to the king who sent you and tell him, “This is what the Lord says: Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are sending messengers to consult Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron? Therefore, you will not leave the bed you are lying on. You will certainly die! 7 The king asked them, “What kind of man was it who came to meet you and told you this?”

(2 Kings 1: 5-7)

Remember, these messengers knew exactly who Elijah was. The king knew who Elijah was. Everybody in Israel knew who Elijah was. They just didn’t want to say his name in front of the king.

So, they describe him.

Verse 8:

They replied, “He had a garment of hair and had a leather belt around his waist.”

And the king says, “Ah — that’s Elijah the Tishbite. I knew it.”

They still don’t say his name. They just describe him. And that description — the hair, garment, and leather belt — was the classic dress of a prophet. It was rough, woven haircloth, like sackcloth, symbolising mourning over the nation’s sin. The moment the king heard that description, he knew exactly who it was. And he didn’t like it one bit.

Now, I don’t know how old Ahaziah was when Elijah called down fire on Mount Carmel, but he was certainly old enough to know the story. And remember, that showdown was against Baal worship, the very religion his mother Jezebel championed. She was furious with Elijah. She threatened to kill him. He fled for his life.

Well, now here’s her son, and he has learned well from his mother.

9 Then he sent to Elijah a captain with his company of fifty men. The captain went up to Elijah, who was sitting on the top of a hill, and said to him, “Man of God, the king says, ‘Come down!’” 10 Elijah answered the captain, “If I am a man of God, may fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty men!” Then fire fell from heaven and consumed the captain and his men. 11 At this, the king sent to Elijah another captain with his fifty men. The captain said to him, “Man of God, this is what the king says, ‘Come down at once!’ 

12 “If I am a man of God,” Elijah replied, “may fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty men!” Then the fire of God fell from heaven and consumed him and his fifty men.

(2 Kings 1: 9-12)

Elijah is sitting on top of a hill; that’s an interesting place for a prophet who once called down fire on a mountain, and the captain says. “The king says, ‘Come down.’”

The king sends soldiers to arrest Elijah. That alone shows his contempt — not just for Elijah, but for Elijah’s God. He wants Elijah dragged back so he can pressure him into reversing the prophecy.

This is Jezebel’s influence all over again. First, Ahaziah ignored the Lord by going to Baal. Now he’s opposing the Lord by trying to seize Elijah. This is exactly what 1 Kings meant when it said he “walked in the way of his mother.”

So, he sends a hundred men to arrest Elijah. And again fire falls.

Just like Carmel, just like before.

This is God demonstrating — again — that He alone is God. Baal couldn’t send fire on Carmel. He can’t send fire now. God can.

Now, some people read this and say, “Isn’t this excessive? Fifty men? They were just soldiers.

But remember, the king showed complete contempt for Elijah and the God he represented by sending soldiers to arrest the prophet like an outlaw. Elijah’s position on the hill should have reminded them of Carmel and the God who answers by fire.”

And remember, 1 Kings said Ahaziah led Israel into Baal worship. These soldiers were part of that idolatrous system. This isn’t cruelty — it’s justice. The wages of sin are indeed death.

You’d think the king would get the message. He would have known what happened on Carmel, and He should have known what fire meant.

But in verse 11, he sends another captain of fifty.”

And this one says, the king says, ‘Come down quickly and he adds “quickly.”

Saying, "I’m in charge here, get down here now.”

Elijah repeats the same words, and fire falls again, and another fifty are consumed.

At this point, the king’s heart is clearly hardened. Like Pharaoh before him, message after message, judgment after judgment, and he still doesn’t get it.

God has just wiped out 10O+ men. You’d think the king would finally understand.

But no.

13 So the king sent a third captain with his fifty men. This third captain went up and fell on his knees before Elijah. “Man of God,” he begged, “please have respect for my life and the lives of these fifty men, your servants! 14 See, fire has fallen from heaven and consumed the first two captains and all their men. But now have respect for my life!”

(2 Kings 1: 13-14)

So, again, he sent a third captain of fifty, but this captain is different.

He doesn’t bark orders. He doesn’t demand and he doesn’t say “Come down.”

He falls on his knees and says, “Man of God, please let my life and the lives of these fifty servants of yours be precious in your sight.”

This man gets it. He recognises Elijah is a man of God, a prophet.

He recognises the danger and he pleads for mercy.

Now, was he an idolater, too? Probably. The whole nation was steeped in Baal worship. But here’s the key: he turned to the Lord.

He turns to the Lord, and he throws himself on God’s mercy.

Then verse 15 says:

“The angel of the LORD said to Elijah, ‘Go down with him; do not be afraid of him.’ So, he arose and went down with him to the king.”

I find that fascinating.

Remember what happened back on Mount Carmel? Elijah called down fire, Jezebel threatened his life, and he ran for the hills. He was terrified. But now the Lord says, “Don’t be afraid.” And Elijah obeys. He learned something since Carmel — the Lord will take care of you. So, when God says, “Don’t fear the king,” Elijah goes with renewed confidence.

Verse 16:

He told the king, “This is what the Lord says: Is it because there is no God in Israel for you to consult that you have sent messengers to consult Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron? Because you have done this, you will never leave the bed you are lying on. You will certainly die!

He had already given this message to the king’s messengers. Now he looks the king straight in the eye and says, “You’re not getting out of that bed. You’re going to die.” No compromise. No softening. No sugarcoating. 

Someone once said, “Christians are the salt of the earth — so don’t sugarcoat the message.” Elijah didn’t. He delivered it exactly as God gave it.

And notice the key phrase in verse 16. “Was it because there is no God in Israel to inquire of His word?”

That’s what Ahaziah should have done — inquire of God’s Word. And if you don’t take anything else from this message today, underline that. 

Whatever you’re facing, whatever decision you’re making, inquire of His Word. If Scripture doesn’t address it directly, it gives you principles. Life is complicated, and God has given us the manual. You want life to work? Follow the manual.

Ahaziah didn’t…. And thenverse 17 tells us:

So, he died, according to the word of the Lord that Elijah had spoken. Because Ahaziah had no son, Joram succeeded him as king in the second year of Jehoram, son of Jehoshaphat, king of Judah.

He died. And because he had no son, his brother took the throne. 

The final verse then closes the chapter with the usual summary:

As for all the other events of Ahaziah’s reign, and what he did, are they not written in the book of the annals of the kings of Israel?

(2 Kings 1: 18)

If the Bible teaches anything, it teaches that God created heaven and earth — and us — and we are accountable to Him. So I highly recommend that you don’t oppose Him.

Ahaziah ignored the Lord, and then he opposed the Lord.

He rejected repeated warnings, and he tried to eliminate the prophet of the Lord…. And he died.

That’s the story. He heard the message, but he never got the message.

But remember, 1 and 2 Kings were originally one book. And the passage right before this says he followed in the ways of his father and his mother. 

Last week, we talked about following a father who walks in evil. Today, we talk about following a mother who walks in evil.

So don’t follow your family if they don’t follow the Lord.

And yes — that includes your mother.

Now, I have the highest regard for motherhood. I thank God for the mother‑love of the Father‑God.” Beautiful. And Proverbs says it’s wise to follow the law of your mother, meaning when she is a godly mother.

So please don’t misunderstand me — I’m not against mothers. 

But Jesus said:

“If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father, mother, wife, children, brothers, sisters — yes, even his own life — he cannot be My disciple.”

Now, he’s not talking about salvation. Heaven is a gift. Jesus paid for it. You receive eternal life by trusting Him — period. “The gift of God is eternal life.”

This is about discipleship. The Greek word means “learner.” And sometimes, Jesus says, following Him means choosing Him over your family, even over your mother — when they are not following the Lord.

Now, if you’re going to learn from Jesus, you’ve got to be willing to “hate.” Hate? That’s the word He used. Hate your family—including your mother? What does that mean?

It can’t mean emotional hostility or cruelty. Scripture is clear that we’re to honour father and mother, love our neighbour, and even love our enemies. 

The key is comparison. There’s a place in Genesis where Jacob loved one wife more than the other, and the next verse in the King James says he “hated” her. Obviously, he didn’t despise her; he simply loved the other so much more that, by comparison, it looked like hate. 

That’s the idea in the original texts here, I admit it doesn’t translate easily into our modern idioms.

But if you really want to learn from the Lord, He has to be first. So far, first, that every other love looks small next to Him.

So, Jesus is saying: I must be the authority over father, mother, wife, children, brothers, sisters—and even you. And that’s where a lot of people stumble. They don’t say it out loud, but in their heart, they’re thinking, “I know more than God. I know better than the Bible.”

If you want to be a disciple of Jesus Christ, He must come before your family, before your traditions, before your own opinions.

This king in 2 Kings 1, followed his mother into idolatry, and it cost him his life. He heard the message, he saw the evidence, and he still chose Baal over the Lord.

So, let me ask you: who are you going to follow? The Lord—or your family? The Lord—or your mother? The Lord—or your own stubborn will?

May I gently suggest: if your “family tradition”—even a mother’s influence—is pulling you away from the Lord, don’t follow your family. 

Don’t baptize dysfunction as destiny. If you blindly follow your family in the wrong direction, you’re living on borrowed time.

So maybe you should pause and contemplate the direction of your life. 

Are you consulting the Word? Are you including the Lord in your decisions? Or are you just drifting along with family patterns, cultural expectations, and old habits?

That’s where I want to leave you today: Who are you really following?

Outro:

Next time, we’re going to step into 2 Kings chapter 2, and the tone shifts.

Instead of a king who refuses to listen, we’ll watch a prophet who is determined to receive and pass on a blessing. Elijah will be taken up, Elisha will step forward, and we’ll see simple, practical ways God uses ordinary people to bless others.

So, I’d love for you to join me for the next episode as we move from “Who should we follow?” to “How can God use us to bless the people around us?”