EGW Writings2 Kings 1

Prophets and Kings

Chapter 16—The Fall of the House of Ahab

PK 204.1

The evil influence that Jezebel had exercised from the first over Ahab continued during the later years of his life and bore fruit in deeds of shame and violence such as have seldom been equaled in sacred history. “There was none like unto Ahab, which did sell himself to work wickedness in the sight of the Lord, whom Jezebel his wife stirred up.”

PK 204.2

Naturally of a covetous disposition, Ahab, strengthened and sustained in wrongdoing by Jezebel, had followed the dictates of his evil heart until he was fully controlled by the spirit of selfishness. He could brook no refusal of his wishes; the things he desired he felt should by right be his.

PK 204.3

This dominant trait in Ahab, which influenced so disastrously the fortunes of the kingdom under his successors, is revealed in an incident which took place while Elijah was still a prophet in Israel. Hard by the palace of the king was a vineyard belonging to Naboth, a Jezreelite. Ahab set his heart on possessing this vineyard, and he proposed to buy it or else to give in exchange for it another piece of land. “Give me thy vineyard,” he said to Naboth, “that I may have it for a garden of herbs, because it is near unto my house: and I will give thee for it a better vineyard than it; or, if it seem good to thee, I will give thee the worth of it in money.”

PK 205.1

Naboth valued his vineyard highly because it had belonged to his fathers, and he refused to part with it. “The Lord forbid it me,” he said to Ahab, “that I should give the inheritance of my fathers unto thee.” According to the Levitical code no land could be transferred permanently by sale or exchange; every one of the children of Israel must “keep himself to the inheritance of the tribe of his fathers.” Numbers 36:7.

PK 205.2

Naboth’s refusal made the selfish monarch ill. “Ahab came into his house heavy and displeased because of the word which Naboth the Jezreelite had spoken to him.... And he laid him down upon his bed, and turned away his face, and would eat no bread.”

PK 205.3

Jezebel soon learned the particulars, and, indignant that anyone should refuse the request of the king, she assured Ahab that he need no longer be sad. “Dost thou now govern the kingdom of Israel?” she said. “Arise, and eat bread, and let thine heart be merry: I will give thee the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite.”

PK 205.4

Ahab cared not by what means his wife might accomplish the desired object, and Jezebel immediately proceeded to carry out her wicked purpose. She wrote letters in the name of the king, sealed them with his signet, and sent them to the elders and nobles of the city where Naboth dwelt, saying: “Proclaim a fast, and set Naboth on high among the people: and set two men, sons of Belial, before him, to bear witness against him, saying, Thou didst blaspheme God and the king. And then carry him out, and stone him, that he may die.”

PK 206.1

The command was obeyed. “The men of his city, even the elders and the nobles, ... did as Jezebel had ... written in the letters which she had sent unto them.” Then Jezebel went to the king and bade him arise and take the vineyard. And Ahab, heedless of the consequences, blindly followed her counsel and went down to take possession of the coveted property.

PK 206.2

The king was not allowed to enjoy unrebuked that which he had gained by fraud and bloodshed. “The word of the Lord came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying, Arise, go down to meet Ahab king of Israel, which is in Samaria: behold, he is in the vineyard of Naboth, whither he is gone down to possess it. And thou shalt speak unto him, saying, Thus saith the Lord, Hast thou killed, and also taken possession?” And the Lord further instructed Elijah to pronounce upon Ahab a terrible judgment.

PK 206.3

The prophet hastened to carry out the divine command. The guilty ruler, meeting the stern messenger of Jehovah face to face in the vineyard, gave voice to his startled fear in the words, “Hast thou found me, O mine enemy?”

PK 206.4

Without hesitation the messenger of the Lord replied, “I have found thee: because thou hast sold thyself to work evil in the sight of the Lord. Behold, I will bring evil upon thee, and will take away thy posterity.” No mercy was to be shown. The house of Ahab was to be utterly destroyed, “like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and like the house of Baasha the son of Ahijah,” the Lord declared through His servant, “for the provocation wherewith thou hast provoked Me to anger, and made Israel to sin.”

PK 207.1

And of Jezebel the Lord declared, “The dogs shall eat Jezebel by the wall of Jezreel. Him that dieth of Ahab in the city the dogs shall eat; and him that dieth in the field shall the fowls of the air eat.”

PK 207.2

When the king heard this fearful message, “he rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his flesh, and fasted, and lay in sackcloth, and went softly.

PK 207.3

“And the word of the Lord came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying, Seest thou how Ahab humbleth himself before Me? because he humbleth himself before Me, I will not bring the evil in his days: but in his son’s days will I bring the evil upon his house.”

PK 207.4

It was less than three years later that King Ahab met his death at the hands of the Syrians. Ahaziah, his successor, “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 to anger the Lord God of Israel,” as his father Ahab had done. 1 Kings 22:52, 53. But judgments followed close upon the sins of the rebellious king. A disastrous war with Moab, and then an accident by which his own life was threatened, attested to God’s wrath against him.

PK 207.5

Having fallen “through a lattice in his upper chamber,” Ahaziah, seriously injured, and fearful of the possible outcome, sent some of his servants to make inquiry of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron, whether he should recover or not. The god of Ekron was supposed to give information, through the medium of its priests, concerning future events. Large numbers of people went to inquire of it; but the predictions there uttered, and the information given, proceeded from the prince of darkness.

PK 208.1

Ahaziah’s servants were met by a man of God, who directed them to return to the king with the message: “Is it because there is no God in Israel, that ye go to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron? Now therefore thus saith Jehovah, Thou shalt not come down from the bed whither thou art gone up, but shalt surely die.” Having delivered his message, the prophet departed.

PK 208.2

The astonished servants hastened back to the king, and repeated to him the words of the man of God. The king inquired, “What manner of man was he?” They answered, “He was an hairy man, and girt with a girdle of leather about his loins.” “It is Elijah the Tishbite,” Ahaziah exclaimed. He knew that if the stranger whom his messengers had met was indeed Elijah, the words of doom pronounced would surely come to pass. Anxious to avert, if possible, the threatened judgment, he determined to send for the prophet.

PK 208.3

Twice Ahaziah sent a company of soldiers to intimidate the prophet, and twice the wrath of God fell upon them in judgment. The third company of soldiers humbled themselves before God; and their captain, as he approached the Lord’s messenger, “fell on his knees before Elijah, and besought him, and said unto him, O man of God, I pray thee, let my life, and the life of these fifty thy servants, be precious in thy sight.”

PK 209.1

“The angel of Jehovah said unto Elijah, Go down with him: be not afraid of him. And he arose, and went down with him unto the king. And he said unto him, Thus saith Jehovah, Forasmuch as thou hast sent messengers to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron, is it because there is no God in Israel to inquire of His word? therefore thou shalt not come down from the bed whither thou art gone up, but shalt surely die.”

PK 209.2

During the father’s reign, Ahaziah had witnessed the wondrous works of the Most High. He had seen the terrible evidences that God had given apostate Israel of the way in which He regards those who set aside the binding claims of His law. Ahaziah had acted as if these awful realities were but idle tales. Instead of humbling his heart before the Lord, he had followed after Baal, and at last he had ventured upon this, his most daring act of impiety. Rebellious, and unwilling to repent, Ahaziah died, “according to the word of the Lord which Elijah had spoken.”

PK 210.1

The history of King Ahaziah’s sin and its punishment has in it a warning which none can disregard with impunity. Men today may not pay homage to heathen gods, yet thousands are worshiping at Satan’s shrine as verily as did the king of Israel. The spirit of idolatry is rife in the world today, although, under the influence of science and education, it has assumed forms more refined and attractive than in the days when Ahaziah sought to the god of Ekron. Every day adds its sorrowful evidence that faith in the sure word of prophecy is decreasing, and that in its stead superstition and satanic witchery are captivating the minds of many.

PK 210.2

Today the mysteries of heathen worship are replaced by the secret association and seances, the obscurities and wonders, of spiritistic mediums. The disclosures of these mediums are eagerly received by thousands who refuse to accept light from God’s word or through His Spirit. Believers in spiritism may speak with scorn of the magicians of old, but the great deceiver laughs in triumph as they yield to his arts under a different form.

PK 210.3

There are many who shrink with horror from the thought of consulting spirit mediums, but who are attracted by more pleasing forms of spiritism. Others are led astray by the teachings of Christian Science, and by the mysticism of Theosophy and other Oriental religions.

PK 211.1

The apostles of nearly all forms of spiritism claim to have power to heal. They attribute this power to electricity, magnetism, the so-called “sympathetic remedies,” or to latent forces within the mind of man. And there are not a few, even in this Christian age, who go to these healers, instead of trusting in the power of the living God and the skill of well-qualified physicians. The mother, watching by the sickbed of her child, exclaims, “I can do no more. Is there no physician who has power to restore my child?” She is told of the wonderful cures performed by some clairvoyant or magnetic healer, and she trusts her dear one to his charge, placing it as verily in the hand of Satan as if he were standing by her side. In many instances the future life of the child is controlled by a satanic power which it seems impossible to break.

PK 211.2

God had cause for displeasure at Ahaziah’s impiety. What had He not done to win the hearts of the people of Israel and to inspire them with confidence in Himself? For ages He had been giving His people manifestations of unexampled kindness and love. From the beginning He had shown that His “delights were with the sons of men.” Proverbs 8:31. He had been a very present help to all who sought Him in sincerity. Yet now the king of Israel, turning from God to ask help of the worst enemy of His people, proclaimed to the heathen that he had more confidence in their idols than in the God of heaven. In the same manner do men and women dishonor Him when they turn from the Source of strength and wisdom to ask help or counsel from the powers of darkness. If God’s wrath was kindled by Ahaziah’s act, how does He regard those who, having still greater light, choose to follow a similar course?

PK 212.1

Those who give themselves up to the sorcery of Satan, may boast of great benefit received; but does this prove their course to be wise or safe? What if life should be prolonged? What if temporal gain should be secured? Will it pay in the end to have disregarded the will of God? All such apparent gain will prove at last an irrecoverable loss. We cannot with impunity break down a single barrier which God has erected to guard His people from Satan’s power.

PK 212.2

As Ahaziah had no son, he was succeeded by Jehoram, his brother, who reigned over the ten tribes for twelve years. Throughout these years his mother, Jezebel, was still living, and she continued to exercise her evil influence over the affairs of the nation. Idolatrous customs were still practiced by many of the people. Jehoram himself “wrought evil in the sight of the Lord; but not like his father, and like his mother: for he put away the image of Baal that his father had made. Nevertheless he cleaved unto the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, which made Israel to sin; he departed not therefrom.” 2 Kings 3:2, 3.

PK 212.3

It was during Jehoram’s reign over Israel that Jehoshaphat died, and Jehoshaphat’s son, also named Jehoram, ascended the throne of the kingdom of Judah. By his marriage with the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel, Jehoram of Judah was closely connected with the king of Israel; and in his reign he followed after Baal, “like as did the house of Ahab.” “Moreover he made high places in the mountains of Judah, and caused the inhabitants of Jerusalem to commit fornication, and compelled Judah thereto.” 2 Chronicles 21:6, 11.

PK 213.1

The king of Judah was not permitted to continue his terrible apostasy unreproved. The prophet Elijah had not yet been translated, and he could not remain silent while the kingdom of Judah was pursuing the same course that had brought the northern kingdom to the verge of ruin. The prophet sent to Jehoram of Judah a written communication, in which the wicked king read the awful words:

PK 213.2

“Thus saith the Lord God of David thy father, Because thou hast not walked in the ways of Jehoshaphat thy father, nor in the ways of Asa king of Judah, but hast walked in the way of the kings of Israel, and hast made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to go a whoring, like to the whoredoms of the house of Ahab, and also hast slain thy brethren of thy father’s house, which were better than thyself: behold, with a great plague will the Lord smite thy people, and thy children, and thy wives, and all thy goods: and thou shalt have great sickness.”

PK 213.3

In fulfillment of this prophecy “the Lord stirred up against Jehoram the spirit of the Philistines, and of the Arabians, that were near the Ethiopians: and they came up into Judah, and brake into it, and carried away all the substance that was found in the king’s house, and his sons also, and his wives; so that there was never a son left him, save Jehoahaz [Ahaziah, Azariah], the youngest of his sons.

PK 213.4

“And after all this the Lord smote him in his bowels with an incurable disease. And it came to pass, that in process of time, after the end of two years, ... he died of sore diseases.” “And Ahaziah [Jehoahaz] his son reigned in his stead.” Verses 12-19; 2 Kings 8:24.

PK 214.1

Jehoram the son of Ahab was still reigning in the kingdom of Israel when his nephew, Ahaziah, came to the throne of Judah. Ahaziah ruled only one year, and during this time, influenced by his mother, Athaliah, “his counselor to do wickedly,” “he walked in the way of the house of Ahab, and did evil in the sight of the Lord.” 2 Chronicles 22:3, 4; 2 Kings 8:27. Jezebel, his grandmother, was still living, and he allied himself boldly with Jehoram of Israel, his uncle.

PK 214.2

Ahaziah of Judah soon met a tragic end. The surviving members of the house of Ahab were indeed “his counselors after the death of his father to his destruction.” 2 Chronicles 22:3, 4. While Ahaziah was visiting his uncle at Jezreel, the prophet Elisha was divinely directed to send one of the sons of the prophets to Ramoth-gilead to anoint Jehu king of Israel. The combined forces of Judah and Israel were at that time engaged in a military campaign against the Syrians of Ramoth-gilead. Jehoram had been wounded in battle, and had returned to Jezreel, leaving Jehu in charge of the royal armies.

PK 214.3

In anointing Jehu, the messenger of Elisha declared, “I have anointed thee king over the people of the Lord, even over Israel.” And then he solemnly charged Jehu with a special commission from heaven. “Thou shalt smite the house of Ahab thy master,” the Lord declared through His messenger, “that I may avenge the blood of My servants the prophets, and the blood of all the servants of the Lord, at the hand of Jezebel. For the whole house of Ahab shall perish.” 2 Kings 9:6-8.

PK 215.1

After he had been proclaimed king by the army, Jehu hastened to Jezreel, where he began his work of execution on those who had deliberately chosen to continue in sin and to lead others into sin. Jehoram of Israel, Ahaziah of Judah, and Jezebel the queen mother, with “all that remained of the house of Ahab in Jezreel, and all his great men, and his kinsfolks, and his priests,” were slain. “All the prophets of Baal, all his servants, and all his priests” dwelling at the center of Baal worship near Samaria, were put to the sword. The idolatrous images were broken down and burned, and the temple of Baal was laid in ruins. “Thus Jehu destroyed Baal out of Israel.” 2 Kings 10:11, 19, 28.

PK 215.2

Tidings of this general execution reached Athaliah, Jezebel’s daughter, who still occupied a commanding position in the kingdom of Judah. When she saw that her son, the king of Judah, was dead, “she arose and destroyed all the seed royal of the house of Judah.” In this massacre all the descendants of David who were eligible to the throne were destroyed, save one, a babe named Joash, whom the wife of Jehoiada the high priest hid within the precincts of the temple. For six years the child remained hidden, while “Athaliah reigned over the land.” 2 Chronicles 22:10, 12.

PK 215.3

At the end of this time, “the Levites and all Judah” (2 Chronicles 23:8) united with Jehoiada the high priest in crowning and anointing the child Joash and acclaiming him their king. “And they clapped their hands, and said, God save the king.” 2 Kings 11:12.

PK 216.1

“Now when Athaliah heard the noise of the people running and praising the king, she came to the people into the house of the Lord.” 2 Chronicles 23:12. “And when she looked, behold, the king stood by a pillar, as the manner was, and the princes and the trumpeters by the king, and all the people of the land rejoiced, and blew with trumpets.”

PK 216.2

“Athaliah rent her clothes, and cried, Treason, Treason.” 2 Kings 11:14. But Jehoiada commanded the officers to lay hold of Athaliah and all her followers and lead them out of the temple to a place of execution, where they were to be slain.

PK 216.3

Thus perished the last member of the house of Ahab. The terrible evil that had been wrought through his alliance with Jezebel, continued till the last of his descendants was destroyed. Even in the land of Judah, where the worship of the true God had never been formally set aside, Athaliah had succeeded in seducing many. Immediately after the execution of the impenitent queen “all the people of the land went into the house of Baal, and brake it down; his altars and his images brake they in pieces thoroughly, and slew Mattan the priest of Baal before the altars.” Verse 18.

PK 216.4

A reformation followed. Those who took part in acclaiming Joash king, had solemnly covenanted “that they should be the Lord’s people.” And now that the evil influence of the daughter of Jezebel had been removed from the kingdom of Judah, and the priests of Baal had been slain and their temple destroyed, “all the people of the land rejoiced: and the city was quiet.” 2 Chronicles 23:16, 21.

From Splendor to Shadow

Chapter 16—The Fall of the House of Ahab

SS 108.1

The evil influence that Jezebel exercised over Ahab bore fruit in deeds of shame and violence. “There was none like unto Ahab, which did sell himself to work wickedness in the sight of the Lord, whom Jezebel his wife stirred up.” Strengthened in wrongdoing by Jezebel, Ahab had followed the dictates of his evil heart until he was fully controlled by selfishness. The things he desired, he felt should by right be his.

SS 108.2

This dominant trait is revealed in an incident which took place while Elijah was still a prophet in Israel. By the palace was a vineyard belonging to Naboth. Ahab set his heart on possessing it. “Give me thy vineyard,” he said to Naboth, “that I may have it for a garden of herbs, because it is near unto my house: and I will give thee for it a better vineyard than it; or, if it seem good to thee, I will give thee the worth of it in money.”

SS 108.3

Naboth’s vineyard had belonged to his fathers, and he refused to part with it. “The Lord forbid it me, that I should give the inheritance of my fathers unto thee.”

SS 108.4

Naboth’s refusal made the selfish monarch ill. “Ahab came into his house heavy and displeased ... . And he laid him down upon his bed, and turned away his face, and would eat no bread.” Jezebel soon learned the particulars, and, indignant that anyone should refuse the request of the king, she assured Ahab that he need no longer be sad. “Dost thou now govern Israel?” she said. “Arise, and eat bread, and let thine heart be merry: I will give thee the vineyard of Naboth.”

SS 109.1

Jezebel immediately proceeded to carry out her wicked purpose. She wrote letters in the name of the king and sent them to the elders of the city where Naboth dwelt, saying: “Set Naboth on high among the people: and set two men, sons of Belial, before him, to bear witness against him, saying, Thou didst blaspheme God and the king. And then carry him out, and stone him, that he may die.”

SS 109.2

The command was obeyed. “The men of his city, even the elders and the nobles ..., did as Jezebel had ... written in the letters which she had sent unto them.” Then Jezebel went to the king and bade him take the vineyard. And Ahab went down to take possession of the coveted property.

SS 109.3

The king was not allowed to enjoy unrebuked that which he had gained by fraud and bloodshed. “The word of the Lord came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying, Arise, go down to meet Ahab king of Israel, ... behold, he is in the vineyard of Naboth, whither he is gone down to possess it. And thou shalt speak unto him, saying, Thus saith the Lord, Hast thou killed, and also taken possession?” The Lord further instructed Elijah to pronounce on Ahab a terrible judgment.

SS 109.4

The guilty ruler, meeting the stern prophet face to face in the vineyard, gave voice to his startled fear: “Hast thou found me, O mine enemy?”

SS 109.5

Without hesitation the messenger of the Lord replied, “I have found thee: because thou hast sold thyself to work evil in the sight of the Lord. Behold, I will bring evil upon thee, and will take away thy posterity.” The house of Ahab was to be utterly destroyed. And of Jezebel the Lord declared, “The dogs shall eat Jezebel by the wall of Jezreel. Him that dieth of Ahab in the city the dogs shall eat; and him that dieth in the field shall the fowls of the air eat.”

SS 109.6

When the king heard this fearful message, “he rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his flesh, and fasted, and lay in sackcloth, and went softly.”

SS 109.7

“And the word of the Lord came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying, Seest thou how Ahab humbleth himself before Me? because he humbleth himself before Me, I will not bring the evil in his days: but in his son’s days will I bring the evil upon his house.”

SS 110.1

Less than three years later King Ahab met his death at the hands of the Syrians. Ahaziah, his successor, “did evil in the sight of the Lord ... . He served Baal, and worshiped him, and provoked to anger the Lord God of Israel,” as his father Ahab had done. Judgments followed. A disastrous war with Moab, and then an accident by which his own life was threatened, attested to God’s wrath against him. Having fallen “through a lattice in his upper chamber,” Ahaziah, seriously injured, sent his servants to make inquiry of Baal-zebub whether he should recover. The god of Ekron, through priests, was supposed to give information concerning future events. But the predictions proceeded from the prince of darkness.

SS 110.2

Ahaziah’s servants were met by a man of God, who directed them to return to the king with the message: “Is it not because there is not a God in Israel, that ye go to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron? Now therefore thus saith the Lord, Thou shalt not come down from the bed on which thou art gone up, but shalt surely die.”

SS 110.3

The astonished servants hastened back to the king and repeated to him the words of the man of God. The king inquired, “What kind of man was he?” They answered, “He wore a garment of haircloth, with a girdle of leather above his loins.” “It is Elijah the Tishbite,” Ahaziah exclaimed. RSV. He knew that if it was indeed Elijah, the words of doom would surely come to pass.

SS 110.4

Anxious to avert the judgment, he determined to send for the prophet. Twice Ahaziah sent soldiers to intimidate the prophet, and twice the wrath of God fell on them in judgment. The third company of soldiers humbled themselves before God, and their captain “fell on his knees before Elijah, and besought him, ... O man of God, I pray thee, let my life, and the life of these fifty thy servants, be precious in thy sight.”

SS 111.1

“The angel of the Lord said unto Elijah, Go down with him: be not afraid of him. And he arose, and went down with him unto the king. And he said unto him, Thus saith the Lord, Forasmuch as thou hast sent messengers to inquire of Baal-zebub the god of Ekron, is it because there is no God in Israel to inquire of His word? therefore thou shalt not come down from the bed whither thou art gone up, but shalt surely die.”

SS 111.2

During his father’s reign, Ahaziah had seen the terrible evidences God had given apostate Israel of the way in which He regards those who set aside the claims of His law. Ahaziah had acted as if these awful realities were but idle tales. He had followed Baal, and at last had ventured upon this, his most daring act of impiety. Rebellious and unwilling to repent, Ahaziah died “according to the word of the Lord which Elijah had spoken.”

SS 111.3

Men today may not pay homage to heathen gods, yet thousands are worshiping at Satan’s shrine as verily as did the king of Israel. The spirit of idolatry is rife, although it has assumed forms more refined and attractive than when Ahaziah sought to the god of Ekron. Faith in the sure word of prophecy is decreasing, and in its stead superstition and satanic witchery are captivating the minds of many. The mysteries of heathen worship are replaced by the obscurities and wonders of spiritistic mediums. The disclosures of these mediums are received by thousands who refuse to accept light from God’s Word. Many who shrink from the thought of consulting spirit mediums are attracted by more pleasing forms of spiritism. Others are led astray by Christian Science and by the mysticism of Theosophy and other Oriental religions.

SS 112.1

The apostles of nearly all forms of spiritism claim to have power to heal. And there are not a few who go to these healers instead of trusting in the living God and the skill of well-qualified physicians. The mother, watching by the sickbed of her child, exclaims, “Is there no physician who has power to restore my child?” She is told of the cures performed by some clairvoyant and trusts her dear one to his charge, placing it as verily in the hand of Satan as if he were standing by her side. In many instances the future life of the child is controlled by a satanic power.

SS 112.2

God had cause for displeasure at Ahaziah’s impiety. What had He not done to inspire Israel with confidence in Himself? Yet now the king of Israel, turning to ask help of the worst enemy of his people, proclaimed to the heathen that he had more confidence in their idols than in the God of heaven. Men and women dishonor Him when they turn from the Source of strength and wisdom to ask help or counsel from the powers of darkness.

SS 112.3

Those who give themselves up to the sorcery of Satan may boast of great benefit received, but does this prove their course wise or safe? What if life should be prolonged? What if temporal gain should be secured? Will it pay in the end to disregard the will of God? All such apparent gain will prove at last an irrecoverable loss.

SS 112.4

Ahaziah was succeeded by Jehoram, his brother, who reigned for twelve years. Throughout these years Jezebel was still living and continued to exercise her evil influence over the nation. Jehoram “wrought evil in the sight of the Lord; but not like his father, and like his mother: for he put away the image of Baal that his father had made. Nevertheless he cleaved unto the sin of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, which made Israel to sin; he departed not therefrom.” 2 Kings 3:2, 3.

SS 112.5

During Jehoram’s reign over Israel Jehoshaphat died, and his son, also named Jehoram, ascended the throne of Judah. By his marriage with the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel, Jehoram of Judah was closely connected with the king of Israel and followed after Baal “like as did the house of Ahab.” “Moreover he ... caused the inhabitants of Jerusalem to commit fornication, and compelled Judah thereto.” 2 Chronicles 21:6, 11.

SS 113.1

The king of Judah was not permitted to continue his terrible apostasy unreproved. The prophet Elijah could not remain silent while Judah was pursuing the same course that had brought the northern kingdom to the verge of ruin. The prophet sent Jehoram of Judah a written communication, in which the wicked king read the awful words:

SS 113.2

“Thus saith the Lord God of David thy father, Because thou hast not walked in the ways of Jehoshaphat thy father, ... but hast walked in the way of the kings of Israel, and hast made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to go a whoring, ... and also hast slain thy brethren of thy father’s house, which were better than thyself: behold, with a great plague will the Lord smite thy people, and thy children, and thy wives, and all thy goods: and thou shalt have great sickness.”

SS 113.3

In fulfillment of this prophecy “the Lord stirred up against Jehoram the spirit of the Philistines, and of the Arabians ... : and they ... carried away all the substance that was found in the king’s house, and his sons also, and his wives; so that there was never a son left him, save Jehoahaz [Ahaziah, Azariah], the youngest of his sons.”

SS 113.4

“And after all this the Lord smote him in his bowels with an incurable disease. And ... in process of time, after the end of two years, ... he died of sore diseases.” “And Ahaziah [Jehoahaz] his son reigned in his stead.” Verses 12-19; 2 Kings 8:24.

SS 113.5

Ahaziah ruled only one year, and during this time, influenced by his mother Athaliah, “his counselor to do wickedly,” “he did evil in the sight of the Lord.” 2 Chronicles 22:3, 4. Jezebel, his grandmother, was still living, and he allied himself boldly with Jehoram of Israel, his uncle.

SS 114.1

The surviving members of the house of Ahab were indeed “his counselors, to his undoing.” 2 Chronicles 22:4, RSV. While Ahaziah was visiting his uncle at Jezreel, the prophet Elisha was divinely directed to send one of the sons of the prophets to Ramoth-gilead to anoint Jehu king of Israel. The combined forces of Judah and Israel were at the time engaged in a military campaign against the Syrians. Jehoram had been wounded in battle and had returned to Jezreel, leaving Jehu in charge of the armies. The messenger of Elisha solemnly charged Jehu with a special commission from heaven: “Thou shalt smite the house of Ahab thy master, that I may avenge the blood of My servants the prophets, and the blood of all the servants of the Lord ... . For the whole house of Ahab shall perish.” 2 Kings 9:6-8.

SS 115.2

“And when she looked, behold, the king stood by a pillar, as the manner was, and the princes and the trumpeters by the king, and all the people of the land rejoiced, and blew with trumpets.”

From Splendor to Shadow

Jehu Takes the Kingship

SS 114.2

After he had been proclaimed king by the army, Jehu hastened to Jezreel, where he began his work of execution. Jehoram of Israel, Ahaziah of Judah, and Jezebel the queen mother, with “all that remained of the house of Ahab in Jezreel,” were slain. “All his great men, and his kinsfolks, and his priests” were put to the sword. The temple of Baal was laid in ruins, the idolatrous images burned. “Thus Jehu destroyed Baal out of Israel.” 2 Kings 10:11, 28.

SS 114.3

Tidings of this general execution reached Athaliah, Jezebel’s daughter, who still occupied a commanding position in the kingdom of Judah. When she saw that her son, the king of Judah, was dead, “she arose and destroyed all the seed royal of the house of Judah.” 2 Chronicles 22:10. In this massacre all the descendants of David who were eligible to the throne were destroyed, save one, a babe named Joash, whom the wife of Jehoiada the high priest hid within the temple. For six years the child remained hidden, while “Athaliah reigned over the land.” Verse 12.

SS 114.4

At the end of this time, “the Levites and all Judah” (2 Chronicles 23:8) united with Jehoiada the high priest in crowning the child Joash and acclaiming him their king. “And they clapped their hands, and said, God save the king.” 2 Kings 11:12.

SS 115.1

“When Athaliah heard the noise of the people running and praising the king, she came to the people into the house of the Lord.” 2 Chronicles 23:12.

SS 115.3

“Athaliah rent her clothes, and cried, Treason! Treason!” 2 Kings 11:14. But Jehoiada commanded the officers to lay hold of Athaliah and her followers and lead them out of the temple to be slain.

SS 115.4

Thus perished the last member of the house of Ahab. The terrible evil that had been wrought through his alliance with Jezebel continued till the last of his descendants was destroyed. Immediately after the execution of impenitent Queen Athaliah, “all the people of the land went into the house of Baal, and brake it down; ... and his images brake they in pieces thoroughly, and slew Mattan the priest of Baal.” 2 Kings 11:18.

SS 115.5

Reformation followed. Those who took part in acclaiming Joash king had covenanted “that they should be the Lord’s people.” And now that the daughter of Jezebel had been removed from Judah and the priests of Baal had been slain and their temple destroyed, “all the people of the land rejoiced: and the city was quiet.” 2 Chronicles 23:16, 21.

Counsels for the Church

Danger in Venturing From the Protection of Heaven

CCh 320.2

“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, inquire of Baal-zebub the god of Ekron whether I shall recover of this disease. 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 inquire of Baal-zebub the god of Ekron? Now therefore thus saith the Lord, Thou shalt not come down from that bed on which thou art gone up, but shalt surely die.” 2 Kings 1:2-4.

The Signs of the Times

March 24, 1887

ST March 24, 1887, par. 1

“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, inquire of Baal-zebub the god of Ekron whether I shall recover of this disease. 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 inquire of Baal-zebub the god of Ekron? Now therefore thus saith the Lord, Thou shalt not come down from that bed on which thou art gone up, but shalt surely die.” 2 Kings 1:2-4.

Testimony Treasures, vol. 2

Shall We Consult Spiritualist Physicians?

2TT 50.1

“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, inquire of Baal-zebub the god of Ekron whether I shall recover of this disease. 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 inquire of Baal-zebub the god of Ekron? Now therefore thus saith the Lord, Thou shalt not come down from that bed on which thou art gone up, but shalt surely die.” 2 Kings 1:2-4.

2TT 50.3

How much had the king of Israel heard and seen in his father’s time of the wondrous works of the Most High! What terrible evidence of His severity and jealousy had God given apostate Israel! Of all this, Ahaziah was cognizant; yet he acts as though these awful realities, and even the fearful end of his own father, were only an idle tale. Instead of humbling his heart before the Lord he ventured upon the most daring act of impiety which marked his life. He commanded his servants: “Go, inquire of Baal-zebub the god of Ekron whether I shall recover of this disease.” 2 Kings 1:2.

Counsels on Health

The Experience of Ahaziah

CH 455.1

When Ahaziah, king of Israel, was sick, “he sent messengers, and said unto them, Go, inquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekron whether I shall recover of this disease.” On the way they met Elijah, and instead of a message from the idol, the king heard the awful denunciation from the God of Israel, “Thou shalt not come down from that bed on which thou art gone up, but shalt surely die.” 2 Kings 1:2, 6.

Conflict and Courage

Sorcery, Ancient and Modern, August 1

CC 219.1

And he said unto him, Thus saith the Lord, Forasmuch as thou hast sent messengers to enquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekron, is it not because there is no God in Israel to enquire of his word? therefore thou shalt not come down off that bed on which thou art gone up, but shalt surely die. 2 Kings 1:16.

CC 219.2

During his father’s reign, Ahaziah had witnessed the wondrous works of the Most High. He had seen the terrible evidences that God had given apostate Israel of the way in which He regards those who set aside the binding claims of His law. Ahaziah had acted as if these awful realities were but idle tales. Instead of humbling his heart before the Lord, he had followed after Baal, and at last he had ventured upon this, his most daring act of impiety....

CC 219.3

Today the mysteries of heathen worship are replaced by the secret associations and seances, the obscurities and wonders, of spiritistic mediums. The disclosures of these mediums are eagerly received by thousands who refuse to accept light from God’s word or through His Spirit....

CC 219.4

The apostles of nearly all forms of spiritism claim to have power to heal.... And there are not a few, even in this Christian age, who go to these healers, instead of trusting in the power of the living God and the skill of well-qualified physicians....

CC 219.5

The king of Israel, turning from God to ask help of the worst enemy of his people, proclaimed to the heathen that he had more confidence in their idols than in the God of heaven. In the same manner do men and women dishonor Him when they turn from the Source of strength and wisdom to ask help or counsel from the powers of darkness....

CC 219.6

Those who give themselves up to the sorcery of Satan, may boast of great benefit received; but does this prove their course to be wise or safe? What if life should be prolonged? What if temporal gain should be secured? Will it pay in the end to have disregarded the will of God? All such apparent gain will prove at last an irrecoverable loss. We cannot with impunity break down a single barrier which God has erected to guard His people from Satan’s power.1Prophets and Kings, 209-212.

Testimonies for the Church, vol. 8

Chapter 13—Look to God for Help

8T 69.3

“Is it not because there is not a God in Israel, that ye go to inquire of Baal-zebub the god of Ekron?” 2 Kings 1:3. Men in responsible positions are uniting with those in the church and out of the church, whose counsel is misleading. Is it necessary for the Lord to come to you with a rod to show you that you need a higher experience before you can be fitted for connection with the family above? Will you link up with men who have a faculty for accusing, for thinking and speaking evil of the things that God approves? In the name of the Lord I tell you that you need clearer discernment and clearer spiritual eyesight.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 10 (1895)

Ms 1, 1895

10LtMs, Ms 1, 1895, par. 36

This morning as I awoke I was repeating these words to my son Willie, “Be careful that you do not show any distrust of God in your decisions concerning land upon which our school should be located. God is your Counsellor, and we are always in danger of showing distrust of God when we seek the advice and counsel of men who do not make God their trust, and who are so devoid of wisdom that they do not recognize God as infinite in wisdom. We are to acknowledge God in all our councils. When we ask Him concerning anything, we are to believe that we receive the things we ask of Him. If you depend upon men who do not love and fear God, who do not obey His commandments, you will surely be brought into very difficult places. Those who are not connected with God are connected with the enemy of God, and the enemy will work through them to lead us into false paths. We do not honor God when we go aside to enquire of the god of Ekron. The question is asked, ‘Is it because there is not a God in Israel, that ye have gone to the god of Ekron to enquire?’” [2 Kings 1:3.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 13 (1898)

Lt 51b, 1898

13LtMs, Lt 51b, 1898, par. 3

“Is it because there is not a God in Israel, that ye go to the god of Ekron?” [See 2 Kings 1:3.] Men in responsible positions are uniting with those in the church and out of the church, whose counsel is misleading. Is it necessary for the Lord to come to you with a rod to show you that you need a higher experience before you can be fitted for connection with the family above? Will you link up with men who have a faculty for accusing, and thinking and speaking evil of the things that God approves? In the name of the Lord, I tell you that you need clearer discernment and spiritual eyesight.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 16 (1901)

Lt 18, 1901

16LtMs, Lt 18, 1901, par. 2

The light we have from the Word of God is plain and distinct. There is no question in this matter to any soul who loves and fears God. Please read this Word. “Is it because there is no God in Israel that ye have gone to the gods of Ekron to inquire?” [2 Kings 1:3.] Please read the sixth chapter of first Corinthians.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 20 (1905)

Lt 317, 1905

20LtMs, Lt 317, 1905, par. 2

“Is it not because there is not a god in Israel, that ye go to inquire of Baal-zebub the god of Ekron?” [2 Kings 1:3.] “Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints? Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? And if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Know ye not that ye shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life? If ye then have judgments of things that pertain to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church. I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? No, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren? But brother goeth to law with brother. Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? Why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded? Nay, ye do wrong, and defraud, and that your brethren. Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived. ... Thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.” [1 Corinthians 6:1-10.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 20 (1905)

Lt 319, 1905

20LtMs, Lt 319, 1905, par. 8

The words have been spoken of you, “Is it because there is not a God in Israel that ye go to the god of Ekron to inquire?” [2 Kings 1:3.] You have turned from and despised the law of God, given in awful grandeur from Sinai, until you now follow the way of transgression of these laws, whenever your will and way is opposed, without realizing the seriousness of your course. Truly truth and righteousness have fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter. You have become linked up with the tempter, and your mind has been led by the one who tried in the wilderness of temptation to gain control of the mind of Christ. The Saviour would not enter into controversy with the tempter, but quoted His Father’s words, “It is written.” Not one word did He speak of which Satan could take the least advantage.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 20 (1905)

Lt 317a, 1905

20LtMs, Lt 317a, 1905, par. 2

“Is it because there is not a God in Israel that ye go to inquire of Baal-zebub, the God of Ekron?” [2 Kings 1:3.] “Dare any of you, having a matter against another go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints? Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? And if the saints shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Know ye not that ye shall judge angels? how much more the things that pertain to this life? If then ye have judgments of things that pertain to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church. I speak to your shame. Is it so that there is not a wise man among you? No, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren? But brother goeth to law with brother. Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? Why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded? Nay, ye do wrong, and defraud, and that your brethren. Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived. ... Thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.” [1 Corinthians 6:1-10.]

Counsels for the Church

Magic and Superstition

CCh 331.2

Through spiritualism many of the sick, the bereaved, the curious, are communicating with evil spirits. All who venture to do this are on dangerous ground. The word of truth declares how God regards them. In ancient times He pronounced a stern judgment on a king who had sent for counsel to a heathen oracle: “Is it not because there is not a God in Israel, that ye go to inquire of Baal-zebub the god of Ekron? Now therefore thus saith the Lord, Thou shalt not come down from that bed on which thou art gone up, but shalt surely die.” 2 Kings 1:3, 4. The magicians of heathen times have their counterpart in the spiritualistic mediums, the clairvoyants, and the fortune-tellers of today. The mystic voices that spoke at Endor and at Ephesus are still by their lying words misleading the children of men. Could the veil be lifted from before our eyes, we should see evil angels employing all their arts to deceive and to destroy. Wherever an influence is exerted to cause men to forget God, there Satan is exercising his bewitching power. When men yield to his influence, ere they are aware the mind is bewildered and the soul polluted. The apostle’s admonition to the Ephesian church should be heeded by the people of God today: “Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.” Ephesians 5:11.592The Acts of the Apostles, 288-290

The Acts of the Apostles

Chapter 27—Ephesus

AA 290.1

Through spiritualism many of the sick, the bereaved, the curious, are communicating with evil spirits. All who venture to do this are on dangerous ground. The word of truth declares how God regards them. In ancient times He pronounced a stern judgment on a king who had sent for counsel to a heathen oracle: “Is it not because there is not a God in Israel, that ye go to inquire of Baal-zebub the god of Ekron? Now therefore thus saith the Lord, Thou shalt not come down from that bed on which thou art gone up, but shalt surely die.” 2 Kings 1:3, 4.

Christian Temperance and Bible Hygiene

Chapter 13—Consulting Spiritualist Physicians

CTBH 112.1

When Ahaziah, king of Israel, was sick, “he sent messengers, and said unto them, Go, inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron, whether I shall recover from this disease.” On the way they met Elijah, and instead of a message from the idol, the king heard the awful denunciation from the God of Israel, “Thou shalt not come down from that bed on which thou art gone up, but shalt surely die.” [2 Kings 1:4.] It was Christ that bade Elijah speak these words to the apostate king. Jehovah Immanuel had cause to be greatly displeased at Ahaziah’s impiety. What had Christ not done to win the hearts of Israel, and to inspire them with unwavering confidence in himself? For ages he had visited his people with manifestations of the most condescending kindness and unexampled love. From the time of the patriarchs, he had shown how his “delights were with the sons of men.” [Proverbs 8:31.] He had been a very present help to all who sought him in sincerity. “In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the Angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them.” [Isaiah 63:9.] Yet Israel had revolted from God, and turned for help to the Lord’s worst enemy.

From Splendor to Shadow

Talk Courage and Hope

SS 141.2

“As one was felling a beam, the axhead fell into the water: and he cried, and said, Alas, master! for it was borrowed. And the man of God said, Where fell it? And he showed him the place. And he cut down a stick, and cast it in thither; and the iron did swim. Therefore said he, Take it up to thee. And he put out his hand, and took it.” Verses 5-7.

From Splendor to Shadow

Chapter 29—Visitors From Babylon See the Wrong Things

SS 181.3

Only by the interposition of God could the shadow on the sundial be made to turn back ten degrees. Accordingly, “the prophet cried unto the Lord: and He brought the shadow ten degrees backward, by which it had gone down in the dial of Ahaz.” Verses 8-11.

From Splendor to Shadow

God Honors Elisha’s Prophecy

SS 139.5

During the night, four leprous men at the gate of the city, made desperate by hunger, had proposed to visit the Syrian camp and throw themselves on the mercy of the besiegers, hoping to obtain food. What was their astonishment when, entering the camp, they found “no man there.” Verse 10. With none to forbid, “they went into one tent, and did eat and drink, and carried thence silver, and gold, and raiment, and went and hid it; and came again, and entered into another tent, and carried thence also, and went and hid it. Then they said one to another, We do not well: this day is a day of good tidings, and we hold our peace.” Verses 8, 9. Quickly they returned to the city with the glad news.

SS 140.1

So abundant were the supplies that on that day “a measure of fine flour was sold for a shekel” (Verse 16), as foretold by Elisha the day before.

From Splendor to Shadow

Chapter 21—Elisha’s Closing Ministry

SS 138.3

Determined to make away with the prophet, the Syrian king commanded, “Go and spy where he is, that I may send and fetch him.” The prophet was in Dothan, and, learning this, the king sent “horses, and chariots, and a great host: and they came by night, and compassed the city about. And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots.” Verses 13-15.

SS 138.5

“Fear not,” was the answer of the prophet, “for they who be with us are more than they that be with them.” Then, that the servant might know this for himself, Elisha prayed, “Lord, ... open his eyes, that he may see.” So “the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.” An encircling band of heavenly angels had come in mighty power to minister to the Lord’s helpless ones. Verses 15-17.

SS 139.2

“And it came to pass, when they were come into Samaria, that Elisha said, Lord, open the eyes of these men, that they may see. And the Lord opened their eyes, and they saw; and, behold, they were in the midst of Samaria. And the king of Israel said unto Elisha, ... shall I smite them? And he answered, Thou shalt not smite them: wouldest thou smite those whom thou hast taken captive with thy sword and with thy bow? set bread and water before them, that they may eat and drink, and go to their master.” Verses 18-22.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 5 (1887-1888)

Lt 80, 1888

5LtMs, Lt 80, 1888, par. 8

Now Mary, I want you to leave your case fully and entirely with the Lord. Do not be anxious, do not keep yourself reined up, do not take your case into your own keeping. This will be your danger, but just rely on the arms of a compassionate, loving Saviour who hath loved you and given His life for you. He is your best and truest Friend. He loves you as no human being can love. Mary, rest in this love. If you can do anything in your power to improve your health, do it. This is in God’s order. But should you go to earthly physicians who claim to do wonderful works of healing, then it would be out of God’s order, and the reproof might come to you as to one of ancient times, “Thou hast forsaken God,” and because he went to the god of Ekron to inquire and not to the living God, the judgment was pronounced that the afflicted would die. [2 Kings 1:16.] But Mary, you have not done this thing, and you may use anything for your good that Providence has furnished for the ills of man.

From Splendor to Shadow

Elisha’s Last Days

SS 142.1

And now the prophet tested the faith of the king. Bidding Joash take up the arrows, he said, “Smite upon the ground.” Three times the king smote the ground. “Thou shouldest have smitten five or six times,” Elisha cried in dismay, “then hadst thou smitten Syria till thou hadst consumed it: whereas now thou shalt smite Syria but thrice.” Verses 18, 19.