Chapter 1: Achaziyahu the son of Achav

1. The state of affairs with Moav:

• Moav rebelled against Israel after the death of Achav.

2. Achaziyahu falls ill:

• Achaziyahu is injured and becomes ill: Achaziyahu [the son of Achav, and current king of Israel] fell through a hole that was covered with a netting which was in his attic in his home in Samaria, and he became sick as a result of the fall.
• Achaziyahu sends messengers to consult with prophets of idolatry: Achaziyahu sent messengers to inquire from the idolatry of Baal-zevuv, the deity of Ekron, as to whether he will recover from this illness.

3. Hashem instructs Eliyahu to chastise Achaziyahu for wanting to consult with prophets of idolatry:

• An angel instructs Eliyahu to intercept the messnegers of Achazyahu: An angel of Hashem appeared to Eliyahu the Tishbite and told him, “Get up and travel towards the messengers of the king of Shomron, and ask them, “Is there is no God in Israel that you need to resort go to inquiring from Baal-Zevuv the god of Ekron?” Because you have decided to do so, therefore, Hashem has said, that you will rise from your bed of illness, and you shall die.”
• Eliyahu went on his mission [and met the messengers and informed them of the above[.
• The messengers return to Achazyahu: The messengers returned to Achaziyahu [without meeting with the idols of Ekron], and Achaziyahu asked them, “Why have you returned?” They replied to him that, “We met a man who told us, to return to the king who sent us, and tell him the following prophecy: Hashem has said, Is there no G-d in Israel that you need to send to inquire from Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron? [As punishment for these actions, you will be cursed] to not arise from your bed, as you will die.” The king then inquired as to the identity of this man whom they met and who had relayed to them the above prophecy. They replied to the king that he was a hairy man, with a leather belt girded around his waist. The king then said to them that this must be Eliyahu the Tishbite.

4. Achaziyahu tries to force Eliyahu to come down and his men are stricken:

• A general and his 50 men are killed: Achaziyahu sent a commander together with fifty of his men to summon Eliyahu who was sitting on top of a mountain. They arrived and shouted to Eliyahu, “Man of G-d, the King has summoned you to come down [and come back with us].” Eliyahu replied to the commander, “If I am a man of God, then let a fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty men” And so indeed, a fire came down from heaven and consumed him and his fifty men.
• A second commander of 50 men are killed: Achaziyahu sent a second commander with fifty of his men, and he spoke to Eliyahu saying, “Man of God, the King is asking you to come down quickly.” Eliyahu again replied to the commander as before, “If I am a man of God, then let a fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty men” And so indeed, a fire of G-d came down from heaven and consumed him and his fifty men.
• Eliyahu finally descends with a third group: Achaziyahu again sent a third commander and his fifty men. The third commander climbed up [the mountain] and came and kneeled on his knees opposite Eliyahu and implored him and spoke to him, saying, “Man of God, may my soul and the soul of these fifty servants of yours be precious in your eyes. Behold, a fire came down from heaven and consumed the first two captains and their fifty men [for a total of 100 men killed]. Now, may my soul to be precious in your eyes [and do not cause me to be killed].” An angel of Hashem then spoke to Eliyahu and instructed him to go with this commander back to the king, and that he should not fear the king. So, Eliyahu arose and went down with him to the king.
• Eliyahu prophesizes to Achaziyahu of his death: Eliyahu arrived by the king and told him as follows: “Hashem said that since you sent messengers to inquire of Baal-zebub the god of Ekron, making it as if there is no God in Israel to inquire, therefore, you will not rise from your bed of illness, and you shall die.”

5. The death of Achaziyahu and his successor:

• Achaziyahu died [from his illness] as Eliyahu had prophesized in the name of Hashem.
• His successor Yehoram: Yehoram [the brother of Achaziyahu^[1]] reigned in his stead, as Achaziyahu did not leave any sons.
• Yehoram’s year of reign: Yehoram reigned in the [19^th year of king Yehoshafat of Judah^[2], which was supposed to be considered the] second year of reign of Yehoram the son of Yehoshaphat, the king of Judah. [Both the king of Israel and Judah were named Yehorom. Yehoshaphat, the father of Yehorom, was destined to die in his 18^th year and have his son Yehorom take over. However, Hashem gave him an extra seven years to reign and live as result of his prayers to Him. Thus, the verse considers it as if it were to be the 2^nd year of reign of his son Yehorom.^[3]]
• The legacy of Achaziyahu: The legacy and deeds of Achaziyahu are written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel.

[1] Rashi and Metzudos Dovid 11:17

[2] Rashi and Radak 11:17; Tosefta Sotah 12:2

[3] Rashi and Radak 11:17; Tosefta Sotah 12:2